World Language Courses

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Course Descriptions:

ARA 131: Arabic 131 introduces the sound and writing system of modern literary Arabic as well as the basic vocabularies and fundamental grammatical structures necessary in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the formal oral style.  It includes regular classroom practice of Arabic through drills, texts and passages, supplementary materials, tapes, exercise, and other activities.

ARA 132: Arabic 132 introduces the sound and writing system of modern literary Arabic as well as the basic vocabularies and fundamental grammatical structures necessary in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the formal oral style.  It includes regular classroom practice of Arabic through drills, texts and passages, supplementary materials, tapes, exercise, and other activities.

ARA 231: Arabic 231 is the first of two intermediate-level courses in Modern Standard Arabic focusing on communication skills in a cultural context.  The course develops both oral and written skills, but special emphasis is given to speaking and discussion.  Grammar is presented in context.  Written texts are complemented with audio and video components.  Although the course emphasizes effective communication in the Arabic language (including Colloquial Egyptian Arabic), students are also exposed to many aspects of Arabic culture through authentic materials.

ARA 232: The course aims to prepare students for upper intermediate proficiency in reading, speaking, writing and listening, and also to deepen students’ cultural awareness.  Communication skills will be a priority, yet emphasis will also be placed on reading, expanding vocabulary, developing listening skills, and developing students' understanding of Arab culture, including exposure to colloquial Arabic. Students will listen to authentic materials.   The instructor will offer reading strategies that enable students to comprehend main ideas in authentic reading passages.  Grammatical work will center on developing the accuracy necessary to reach advanced proficiency in the Arabic root and pattern system. Class assignments will be complemented by audio and video components.

ARA 141: Elementary Conversation: This course focuses on listening and conversation in colloquial Arabic.  It is both a basic and an enrichment course entirely conducted in colloquial Arabic.  It is designed for students wishing to expand their Arabic language proficiency and improve their oral facility. Class discussions are based on assigned audio/video material. This course is transferable but is not a substitute for a basic language requirement. It may be taken concurrently with ARA 132, 231 or ARA 232.

CHN 131: Elementary Mandarin Chinese is a beginning level course in Mandarin Chinese, emphasizing the basic knowledge of language (such as the Mandarin sound system, standard sentence patterns and formal grammar), and the basic communication skills (such as correct pronunciation, the ability to carry on simple conversations, and the ability to write Chinese characters in simplified form). Students will develop the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Chinese.

CHN 132: Chinese 132 is a continuation of Chinese 131, to further build writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills within communicative contexts.  Class assignments are complemented by multimedia materials and online resources.

FRE 131: French 131 is a course designed to train the student in pronunciation as well as the basic grammatical principles necessary for comprehending and expressing simple ideas in both spoken and written French.  Class assignments are complemented by tapes and videos.

FRE 132:  French 132 is a continuation of French 131 with the addition of short stories.  Class assignments are complemented by tapes and videos.

FRE 231: French 231 includes review and application of grammatical principles by means of oral and written exercises.  Students practice pronunciation and comprehension of spoken French.  Reading both in and out of class promotes speed and comprehension.  Class assignments are complemented by tapes and videos.

FRE 232: French 232 is a continuation of French 231, using materials of increasing difficulty.  Emphasis is on oral discussion of contemporary life and literature.  Class assignments are complemented by tapes and videos.

FRE 141: French 141 is an enrichment course entirely conducted in French designed for students wishing to expand active vocabulary, improve oral facility, and write simple compositions.  Class discussions are based on assigned readings, student reports, and current events.  This course is transferable but is not a substitute for a basic language requirement.  It can be taken concurrently with French 231 or 232.

FRE 296: French 296 is a directed study of a topic of special interest in the area of French for the Honors student, to be undertaken under the direction of a member of the French staff.

 Appropriate methods of research are applied, and the results reported in a research paper. This class may be repeated once for credit.

GER 131: German 131 trains the student in pronunciation as well as the basic grammatical principles necessary for comprehending and expressing simple ideas in both spoken and written German.  Class assignments are complemented by CD-Roms, tapes, and videos.

GER 132: German 132 is a continuation of German 131 with the addition of short stories. Class assignments are complemented by CD-Roms, tapes, and videos.

GER 231: German 231 includes application of grammatical principles by means of oral and written exercises.  Students practice pronunciation and comprehension of spoken German.  Reading of German stories is added for acquisition of vocabulary and class discussion.  Class assignments are complemented by CD-Roms, tapes, and videos.

GER 232: German 232 is a continuation of German 231, using materials of increasing difficulty.  Emphasis is in oral discussion of contemporary life and literature.  Class assignments are complemented by CD-Roms, tapes, and videos.

GER 141: German 141 is an enrichment course entirely conducted in  German designed  for  students wishing to expand active vocabulary, improve oral facility, and write simple compositions.  Class discussions are based on assigned readings, student reports, and current events.  This course is transferable but is not a substitute for a basic language requirement.  It can be taken concurrently with German 231 or 232.

ITA 131: Elementary Italian I: Trains the student in pronunciation as well as basic grammatical principles necessary for comprehending and expressing simple ideas in both spoken and written Italian.  Class assignments are complemented with an audio program that accompanies the text.

ITA 132: Elementary Italian II: Completes a systematic survey of grammar and includes discussion of cultural topics.  Oral expression is emphasized.  Class assignments are complemented with an audio program that accompanies the text.

ITA 141: An enrichment course, ITA 141 is conducted almost entirely in Italian and is designed for students wishing to expand active vocabulary, improve oral facility, and write simple compositions.  Class discussions are based on assigned readings, student reports, and current events.  This course is transferable but is not a substitute for a basic language requirement.  It may be taken concurrently with Italian 132, 231 or 232.

ITA 295, ITA 296, ITA 297: Individual study of a topic of special interest in the area of Italian language, literature, or culture to be undertaken under the direction of an instructor.  Appropriate methods of research and investigation are applied and the results reported in a final creative product such as a research paper, electronic or physical report (such as an electronic media presentation, Web page, or display board), or other creative product together with a bibliography.  This class may be repeated once for credit.

SPN 131: Spanish 131 trains the student in pronunciation as well as the basic grammatical principles necessary for comprehending and expressing simple ideas in both spoken and written Spanish. Class assignments are complemented with tapes.

SPN 132: Spanish 132 completes a systematic survey of grammar and includes discussion of cultural topics. Oral expression is emphasized.  Class assignments are complemented by tapes.

SPN 231: Spanish 231 includes rapid review and application of grammatical principles by means of oral and written exercises and some composition writing.  Students continue practice in pronouncing and comprehending the spoken language.  Reading both in and out of class promotes speed and comprehension.  Some class assignments are complemented with tapes.

SPN 232: Spanish 232 emphasizes oral comprehension as well as development of a sufficiently large vocabulary to enable the student to speak, read and aurally comprehend Spanish with ease.  Oral and written reports are required. Class assignments are complemented with tapes.

SPN 295, SPN 296, SPN 297: Individual study of a topic of special interest in the area of Spanish language, literature or culture, to be undertaken under the direction of an instructor.  Appropriate methods of research and investigation are applied, and the results reported in a final creative product such as a research paper, electronic or physical report (such an electronic media presentation, Web page or display board) or other creative product together with a bibliography. This class may be repeated once for credit.