Class Description
This course is designed as a continuing series for beginners or for heritage speakers who want to learn the basics of reading, writing, and speaking in Arabic. After this course, students will be able to read and write short paragraphs in Modern Standard Arabic (fusḥa) describing themselves, their family, the weather, food, places, and simple actions in the past, present, and future. We will practice greetings and polite expressions. Lessons will also include historical and cultural information and advice for continuing study of Arabic.
Ms. Laurel Harig-Khan graduated from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago in 2019 and from Bard College in 2008. She also studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and at the American University of Beirut. She teaches Arabic and courses on the history, culture and politics of the Middle East and North Africa.
All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.
What to Expect
Format: Virtual
Class Capacity: 12
Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged
Materials List
Required
- Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic Vol. 1. Hippocrene, 2021. ISBN: 9780781814225, or another edition. (Please Note: We are unable to stock this book, but copies are available at the Chicago Public Library. You can also buy it directly from the publisher or find used copies for sale at online stores like AbeBooks.)
- Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1: Activity Book. Bloomsbury, 2022. ISBN: 9781137372260, or another edition. (Please Note: We are unable to stock this book, but you can buy it directly from the publisher or find used copies for sale at online stores like AbeBooks.)
A Brief Syllabus
The course content will be adjusted according to the students’ pace and interest
Cost and Registration
8 Sessions, $240 ($216 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($240), Community Supported ($220), and Sponsor ($260). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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