Course Syllabus: Spoken Egyptian Arabic: ARB 149
Course Description:
This is a course in the spoken variety of Arabic used in Egypt, most specifically Cairo. This
variety of Arabic is called “colloquial” Arabic, and is frequently referred to as “slang” by Arabs.
In Arabic it is called ammiyya or daarija.
Colloquial Arabic differs from standard, written Arabic in many ways. Vocabulary, grammar and
morphology differ substantially, and are generally less complex in colloquial than in Standard
Arabic. More importantly, the colloquial Arabic is the variety of Arabic used in virtually all
spoken communication. Thus, it is rarely written, and when it is, it is usually to depict, in
writing, people communicating orally. Thus, colloquial Arabic is the language of daily life, and
as such is much more closely tied to local culture and thought, and to everyday existence.
Thus, most of this course will focus on oral production and comprehension, and tests,
presentations, and homework will, for the most part, be delivered orally and not in writing.
Instructors will meet with all students before the start of classes to determine level of instruction
- beginner, intermediate, or advanced. It is presumed that all students will be “beginners” in
Egyptian dialect. Still, if some students have greater aptitude for language, based on their
proficiency in written Arabic, different levels of Egyptian dialect classes will be offered, to better
accommodate student learning styles and abilities.
All students will receive at least 16 sessions of language instruction, each session being 2 hours
in length, for 32 hours of Arabic instruction (minimum). In addition, students will have daily
assignments to practice Arabic in the “language laboratory of Cairo” and elsewhere.
Required texts will be provided by the instructors.
Arabic language course evaluation is based on the following:
Homework: Homework reinforcing reading, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation will be
assigned daily. 30% of total grade
Quizzes: 4 (weekly) quizzes for that week’s readings and other assignments. 20% of total
grade
Participation: assessment of students’ in-class participation and effort. 20% of total grade
Attendance: 10% of total grade
Final exam: Oral proficiency exam. 20% of total grade
Hunter College policy on academic integrity: Hunter College regards acts of academic
dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and
falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of
intellectual honesty. The college is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on
Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter
College Academic Integrity Procedures.
Statement from Student Services’ Office of AccessABILITY:
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational
parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical
conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional,
Medical, Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in
Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information
and assistance please call (212- 772- 4857)/TTY (212- 650- 3230).