Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture (2025/2026: Semester 1 – Fall)

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Cursusdoel

After completing this course students are able to:
  1. Read and write the Arabic alphabet.
  2. Speak basic Arabic at a beginner’s level
  3. Be familiar with the differences in sounds and basic structures between MSA and Colloquial Arabic.
  4. Understand and actively use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases in written and oral communication on everyday topics
  5. Demonstrate a general understanding of the Arabic culture and history
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
Description of assignment Assesses which course aims?
  1. Quizzes
  2. Language Portfolio
  3. Final examination
  4. Presentation on Arabic culture
  5. Essay on cultural topic of choice
  6. Online and Class participation
 1
2, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
5
5
1-5

Vakinhoudelijk

Arabic is the official language of 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. With over 375 million native speakers, Arabic is the fifth most commonly spoken language in the world. Not only the language, but also the influence of Arabic culture is widespread throughout the world. Arabic culture contributed significantly to the development of science, agricultural techniques and medicine. And with the turn of recent developments in the MENA-region, it is now more important than ever to provide students with a complete framework to understand and interpret the Arabic language and cultures. This course will help to broaden your perspective on the Arabic world.

This course focuses not only on the Arabic language, but also on the history and culture of the Arabic-speaking people. This course will educate students on the philosophy, music, religions, literature, poetry and art of the Arabic-speaking communities. Language learning is used to prepare communication with native speakers of Arabic. In exploring the Arabic world, you will learn to appreciate its distinct cultural products and customs, and you will come to understand some of the values important to the Arabic people, such as honour, dignity, and hospitality. Next to Modern Stand Arabic (MSA), the course introduces important features of the main dialects.


Format
The course deepens knowledge on both language and culture by integrating these aspects on a weekly basis. An interdisciplinary format is used, in which language-focused classes are alternated with in-class seminars on various interdisciplinary topics. Towards the end of the course, students will prepare this type of seminars themselves. Culture, history and art are addressed via texts in Arabic, as well as translated texts. Tasks in various forms related to these topics will be performed individually and in groups.

The course follows the flipped classroom pedagogy, letting the students prepare the content at home, so that class time can be used for interactive activities in which the students use the language actively and critically discuss the cultural content. The course follows a communicative approach to language teaching, in which communicating in Arabic is the central goal. Towards the end of the course, Arabic will mainly be used as the language of instruction. Language skills are tested through written quizzes, portfolio assignments and a final exam. The cultural component will be graded based on a presentation, class participation and a short essay on a topic of the student’s choosing.

Reader:
Can be collected at the reception desk in College Hall (pin transaction only, not in cash) at printing costs.

Enrolment
For visiting students from UU or other institutions, please refer to https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/university-college-utrecht/how-to-apply/visiting-students for the general application procedure.
Please note UCU's different semester dates: https://students.uu.nl/en/university-college-utrecht/academics/academic-calendar

Werkvormen

standard UCU course

Toetsing

Online and class participation

Verplicht | Weging 10% | ECTS 0,75

Essay on cultural topic of choice

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Language Portfolio

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Presentation on Arabic culture

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Niet verplicht

final examination

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Quizzes

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er is geen informatie over verplichte ingangseisen bekend.

Voorkennis

Er is geen informatie over benodigde voorkennis bekend.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Internationale en interculturele oriëntatie
  • Luisteren
  • Presenteren
  • Samenwerken
  • Talen

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • BOEK
    Wightwick, J. en Mahmoud Gaafar, Mastering Arabic 1 (third edition, with audio and video ‘free-to-access’ online), ISBN 9781137380449
  • BOEK
    Reynolds, D.F. (2015). The Cambridge Companion to Modern Arab Culture: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9781316287446

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Opmerkingen

Counts as L&C requirement

Coördinator

W Sayed Semida MA w.sayedsemidamohamedabbas@uu.nl

Docenten

W Sayed Semida MA w.sayedsemidamohamedabbas@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

Naar OSIRIS-inschrijvingen
Permanente link naar de cursuspagina
Laat in de Cursus-Catalogus zien