California State University, Northridge
Armenian 101: Elementary Armenian I
Fall Semester 2012
Course Syllabus and Outline
Instructor: Prof. Vahram Shemmassian
Class #: 18791
Units: 03
Classroom: Jerome Richfield 352
Day & Time: MW 8:00-9:15
Office: Sierra Tower 422
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00-12:00; and by appointment.
Office Phone: (818) 677-3456
E-mail: vahram.shemmassian@csun.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
“Study of the fundamentals of Armenian: alphabet and additional sounds, grammatical
structure, reading, writing and practice in the spoken language.”
GOALS:
* Development of an understanding of the origins and evolution of the Armenian
Language.
* Demonstration of relevance of language to culture and everyday life.
* Recognition of the Armenian Alphabet.
* Grasping of fundamentals of language conventions.
* Reading simple texts.
* Writing simple sentences.
* Listening to and comprehending the spoken word.
* Speaking in practical terms.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Reading
* Will be able to recognize the shapes and sounds of the 38 letters of the Armenian
Alphabet (39 letters in Eastern Armenian).
* Will be able to decode words.
* Will be able to read and comprehend simplified texts from textbook.
* Will be able to read and comprehend simple sentences from short stories.
Writing
* Will be able to write the Armenian Alphabet.
* Will be able to copy texts from textbook.
* Will be able to write simple sentences with application of language conventions.
* Will be able to improve penmanship.
Listening
* Will be able to listen and comprehend texts read in class.
* Will be able to listen to oral instructions.
* Will be able to listen to class presentations.
Speaking
* Will be able to interact with instructor.
* Will be able to interact with peers.
* Will be able to make oral presentations.
ASSESSMENT TOOLS/METHODS
Reading
* Texts and exercises in textbook.
* Translation of pertinent sections from textbook thus demonstrating comprehension.
* Instructions on tests.
* Class participation.
Writing
* The Armenian Alphabet.
* Vocabulary, simple sentences.
* Conjugation on board and tests.
* Dictation.
* Copying of texts from textbook.
* Calligraphy.
* Computer usage.
Listening
* Audio/video tapes.
* Dictation on tests.
* Instructor and peer interaction.
Speaking
* Daily participation in class discussions.
* Interviews in class with instructor and peers.
* Oral presentations.
TEXTBOOKS:
1. Haroutiun Kurkjian, Practical Textbook of Western Armenian (Paris, Beirut, Los
Angeles: N.p., 1998).
BOOKSTORES (both in Glendale):
Sardarabad (818) 500-0790
Abril (818) 243-4112
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METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Tests: 60%
Quizzes: 10%
Class attendance: 10%
Final Exam: 20%
GRADING SCALE:
A= 95-100
A-= 90-94
B+= 87-89
B= 84-86
B-= 80-83
C+=77-79
C= 74-76
C-= 70-73
D+= 67-69
D= 64-66
D-= 60-63
F= 59 and below
ATTENDANCE:
Students are required to attend each and every session and on time. One percent of
the semester grade will be deducted per unexcused absence, for a maximum of 10
percent. Students are responsible for assignments and quizzes/tests given while
absent.
CONDUCT AND WORK ETHICS:
Please refer to the 2012-2014 CSUN Catalog, pp. 646-648.
TEXTING IN CLASS IS NOT ALLOWED.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: August 27 & 29: Course introduction; a brief history of the Armenian
language; Lesson 1: The alphabet.
Week 2: September 3 (Labor Day, no class) & 5: Lesson 2: The alphabet;
punctuation; definite and indefinite articles; plurals; the present tense of the verb “to be”;
reading; vocabulary (days, months, seasons).
Week 3: September 10 & 12: Lesson 3: Vowels; reading; vocabulary (clothing).
Week 4: September 17 & 19: September 17: Test 1. September 19: Review of Test
1. Lesson 4: Adjectives with the verb “to be”; reading; writing; conversation;
vocabulary (body).
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Week 5: September 24 & 26: Lesson 5: Reading; writing; conversation; vocabulary
(food).
Week 6: October 1 & 3: Lesson 6: the possessive adjective; reading; writing;
conversation; vocabulary (Housing). October 3: Test 2.
Week 7: October 8 & 10: Review of Test 2. Lesson 7: Reading; writing;
conversation; vocabulary (school).
Week 8: October 15 & 17: Lesson 8: conjugation of first verb group in present tense;
reading; writing; conversation; vocabulary (city).
Week 9: October 22 & 24: Lesson 9: The apostrophe; the question mark and other
marks; reading; writing; conversation; vocabulary (animals). October 24: Test 3.
Week 10: October 29 & 31: Review of Test 3: Lesson 10: The demonstrative
adjective; reading; writing; conversation; vocabulary (geography).
Week 11: November 5 & 7: Lessons 11-12: The imperfect tense of the verb “to be”
and the first verb group; reading; writing; conversation; vocabulary (numbers).
Week 12: November 12 & 14: November 12 (Veterans’ Day, no class) Lessons 13-15
: Adverbs of place; conjugation of second verb group in present tense; the verb “to have”;
reading; writing; conversation; vocabulary (colors).
Week 13: November 19 & 21: Reading: Lessons 16; Listening/Speaking: Sayings.
Week 14: November 26 & 28: November 26: Review. November 28: Test 4.
Week 15: December 3 & 5: Reading and Speaking parts of Final Exam.
Week 16: December 10: Reading and Speaking parts of Final Exam.
Final Exam: December 17: 8:00-10:00 a.m. in regular classroom. Writing and
Listening parts of Final Exam.
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