Introduction to Arabic Morphology & Syntax – LG-581 – Spring 2015
Prof. Steven Blackburn – 860-509-9560 – sblackburn@hartsem.edu
4:30-6:00pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Office Hours: MWF 2:30-4:30pm and by Appointment
Textbook:
Al-Kitaab fi ta`allum al-`arabiyya by Brustad et al.
Dictionary (recommended, but not required):
A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (Wehr), edited by J M. Cowan
In this course students will continue their foray into the world of two modes of Arabic:
the “Standard” language based on the Classical Arabic of the Qur’an, and a spoken
version “colloquial” from the educated classes of Egypt.
No one can be said to “know” Arabic unless both types, “standard” and “colloquial”,
have been mastered. This semester continues the lengthy process of doing just that.
Your work will be weighted as follows for your final grade:
Homework assignments 25%
Vocabulary quizzes 25%
Attendance and class participation 25%
Final Exam 25%
Attendance Policy: We meet only twice per week for just over an hour each session.
Missing the equivalent of six 90-minute sessions may result in a failure to pass. Please
be in touch with the Professor in order to make up any missed work if you know in
advance that you will not be able to attend a particular session.
As per Seminary policy, official student Hartford Seminary email addresses will be used
for all class-related correspondence. Enrollees will need to check their Seminary email
accounts regularly.
While every attempt will be made to adhere to the following schedule, adjustments may
have to be made during the course of the term.
Week of:
Assignments
January 20/22
Review of First Semester
January 27/29
Vocabulary Quiz, Lesson 1, al-Kitab
February 3/5
Completion of Lesson 1
February 10/12
Vocabulary Quiz, Lesson 2, al-Kitab
February 17/19
Completion of Lesson 2, al-Kitab
February 24/26
Vocabulary Quiz, Lesson 3, al-Kitab
March 3/5
Completion of Lesson 3, al-Kitab
March 10/12
Vocabulary Quiz, Lesson 4, al-Kitab
March 17/19
Completion of Lesson 4, al-Kitab
March 24
Review
March 26
Mid-Term Exam, Lessons 1 – 4, al-Kitab
March 31/April 2
Reading Week / Maundy Thursday break: NO CLASSES
April 7/9
Vocabulary Quiz, Lesson 5, al-Kitab
April 14/16
Completion of Lesson 5, al-Kitab
April 21/23
Vocabulary Quiz, Lesson 6, al-Kitab
April 27/30
Completion of Lesson 6, al-Kitab
May 5
Final Exam, Lessons 1 – 6, al-Kitab
When learning a language, it is (infinitely?) better to work a little each day than to cram
on weekends or over large chunks of time. In other words, an hour each day of review
and preparation during the week is to be preferred over spending the entirety of a
Saturday or Sunday trying to catch-up.
Also, in learning a language, it is better to use your out-of-class time to work on material
that has already been presented in class, rather than to “work ahead”. Working ahead
risks internalizing faulty linguistic input: This is NOT a “teach yourself” course!
“I’m not here to hand out bad grades” is one of my mottos. Every effort will be made to
keep you all up to speed, that being one of the luxuries of having a small class.
Most importantly: HAVE FUN! Even though Arabic is NOT an easy language, it CAN
be enjoyable. I’ll try to make it that way; if you work, there is that much more chance of
making it that way for yourself