ARAB 301: Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I
Instructor Information:
Instructor: Khaled Huthaily
Office: LA 431
Email: khaled.huthaily@umontana.edu
Phone: (406) 243-6602
Office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: 12:00 to 1:00 & By Appointment
Course Description:
ARAB 301 is designed to help students further develop their language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and learn
more about the Arab culture and advanced grammar rules beyond the intermediate level. The target proficiency level is AdvancedLow (based on proficiency guidelines from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The broad outcomes of the Advanced proficiency level are:
Listening – Advanced: At the Advanced level, listeners can understand the main ideas and most supporting details in
connected discourse on a variety of general interest topics, such as news stories, explanations, instructions, anecdotes,
or travelogue descriptions. Listeners are able to compensate for limitations in their lexical and structural control of the
language by using real-world knowledge and contextual clues. Listeners may also derive some meaning from oral texts at
higher levels if they possess significant familiarity with the topic or context. Advanced-level listeners understand speech
that is authentic and connected. This speech is lexically and structurally uncomplicated. The discourse is straightforward
and is generally organized in a clear and predictable way. Advanced-level listeners demonstrate the ability to comprehend
language on a range of topics of general interest. They have sufficient knowledge of language structure to understand
basic time-frame references. Nevertheless, their understanding is most often limited to concrete, conventional discourse.
Speaking – Advanced: Speakers at the Advanced level engage in conversation in a clearly participatory manner in order
to communicate information on autobiographical topics, as well as topics of community, national, or international interest.
The topics are handled concretely by means of narration and description in the major times frames of past, present, and
future. These speakers can also deal with a social situation with an unexpected complication. The language of Advancedlevel speakers is abundant, the oral paragraph being the measure of Advanced-level length and discourse. Advancedlevel speakers have sufficient control of basic structures and generic vocabulary to be understood by native speakers of
the language, including those unaccustomed to non-native speech.
Reading – Advanced: At the Advanced level, readers can understand the main idea and supporting details of authentic
narrative and descriptive texts. Readers are able to compensate for limitations in their lexical and structural knowledge by
using contextual clues. Comprehension is likewise supported by knowledge of the conventions of the language (e.g.,
noun/adjective agreement, verb placement, etc.). When familiar with the subject matter, Advanced-level readers are also
able to derive some meaning from straightforward argumentative texts (e.g., recognizing the main argument). Advancedlevel readers are able to understand texts that have a clear and predictable structure. For the most part, the prose is
uncomplicated and the subject matter pertains to real-world topics of general interest. Advanced-level readers
demonstrate an independence in their ability to read subject matter that is new to them. They have sufficient control of
standard linguistic conventions to understand sequencing, time frames and chronology. However, these readers are likely
challenged by texts in which issues are treated abstractly.
Writing – Advanced: Writers at the Advanced level are characterized by the ability to write routine informal and some
formal correspondence, as well as narratives, descriptions, and summaries of a factual nature. They can narrate and
describe in the major time frames of past, present, and future, using paraphrasing and elaboration to provide clarity.
Advanced-level writers produce connected discourse of paragraph length and structure. At this level, writers show good
control of the most frequently used structures and generic vocabulary, allowing them to be understood by those
unaccustomed to the writing of non-natives.
Culture: Language and culture cannot be separate; thus, cultural topics are embedded in every lesson. Moreover, the
Arab culture is heavily influenced by the religion of Islam. Various cultural topics will discussed in the classroom, and
students are encouraged to read about current events and happenings in the Arab world.
Required textbooks:
ARAB 301 builds upon the language skills and cultural knowledge from ARAB 202. Thus, the main textbook is the same textbook
used in ARAB 202. We are going to begin from chapter 17. We plan to finish four chapters this semester (from 17 to 20).

Ahlan Wa Sahlan: Functional Modern Standard Arabic for Beginners (2nd Ed.) by M. Alosh (Main Textbook)

Arabic-English Dictionary by Hans Wehr (Your Home Reference)
Course Calendar:
Dates
August 31
September 18
September 21
October 16
October 19
November 6
November 9
Topic
Chapter 17
Quiz 1
Chapter 18
Quiz 2
Chapter 19
Quiz 3
Chapter 20
Syllabus: ARAB 301 (Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I); Fall 2015 – 1
Required assignments and tests:
Criteria
Class Participation
Homework Assignments
Quizzes
Final Exam
TOTAL
Points
20
20
30
30
100
Notes
Oral interaction with instructor and students
Late submission of assignments will carry penalty
Three in-class quizzes on specific dates – see course calendar
More information will be discussed in class.
Final Exam Day & Time: Thursday, December 17 (8:10 to 10:00 am)
Course guidelines and policies:
Student Conduct Code
The Student Conduct Code at the University of Montana embodies and promotes honesty, integrity, accountability, rights, and
responsibilities associated with constructive citizenship in our academic community. This Code describes expected standards of
behavior for all students, including academic conduct and general conduct, and it outlines students' rights, responsibilities, and the
campus processes for adjudicating alleged violations. More information: http://www.umt.edu/vpsa/policies/student_conduct.php
Attendance
If a student does not attend the first two class meetings may be required to drop the course. This rule allows for early identification
of class vacancies to permit other students to add into classes. Students absent and not allowed to remain must drop the course by
CyberBear or turn in a drop slip to the Registration Counter in Griz Central to avoid receiving a failing grade. Students who know
they will be absent should contact me in advance. More information: http://www.umt.edu/registrar/students/attendance.php
Course Withdrawal
If a student decides to withdraw from classes, the student should contact the University Registrar's Office in Griz Central, located in
the Lommasson Center, and complete a withdrawal form to begin the official withdrawal process. Please feel free to contact me first
if any arrangements need to be made before withdrawal. More information: http://www.umt.edu/businessservices/Students/Student%20Accounts/Withdrawal%20Policy.php
Disability Modifications
The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors,
and Disability Services for Students (https://www.umt.edu/dss/default.php). If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting
your academic performance, and you have not already registered with Disability Services, please contact Disability Services in
Lommasson Center 154 or call 406.243.2243. I will work with you and Disability Services to provide an appropriate modification.
Assignment Expectations
Students are expected to work hard, focus on grammar, memorize more vocabulary items, pay attention to pronunciation and
spelling, and apply these skills and knowledge in their oral and written Arabic. Students are encouraged to use Arabic beyond the
classroom and to interact with native speakers of Arabic. The instructor believes that the best syllabus is the one that is based not
only on the teacher’s experience and the course’s goals, but also on the students’ needs and interests. The instructor encourages
students to share feedback with him at any time during the course.
Grading policy
Grades will be assigned as follows:
Grade
Points
A
93-100
A90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C70-72
D+
67-69
D
63-66
D60-62
F
0-59
GPA
4
3.7
3.3
3
2.7
2.3
2
1.7
1.3
1
0.7
0
Syllabus: ARAB 301 (Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I); Fall 2015 – 2