Note: Language examinations are held before the first week of the Fall semester. For placement at the appropriate level of language instruction, students are requested to consult the Department. Qualified undergraduates are also eligible to register for advanced language courses, and with the permission of the instructor, other graduate courses in language and literature (see Graduate Courses)

• Arabic Courses
• Persian Courses
• Turkish Courses
• Hindi Courses
• Urdu Courses

1. Elementary Arabic I & II
   V77.0101, 0102 (4 points per term)
   Builds basic skills in modern standard Arabic, the language read and understood by educated Arabs from Baghdad to Casablanca. Five hours of instruction and drill, stressing the proficiency approach, plus work in the language laboratory.
   Prof. Ferhadi
   
   
2. Intermediate Arabic I & II
   V77.0103, 0104. Prerequisite: V77.0102 or equivalent (4 points per term)
   Builds on the skills acquired in V77.0101-0102, with increased emphasis on writing and reading from modern sources in addition to aural/oral proficiency
   Prof. Ferhadi
   
   
3. Seminar: Introduction to Islamic Texts (in Arabic)
   V77.0720. Prerequisite: V77.0103 or equivalent (4 points)
   This course will introduce students with at least two semesters of Arabic behind them to the main stylistic features of Classical Arabic. The object will be to give students a flavour of an older yet essential register of Arabic through the most important texts of the Islamic tradition. These texts constitute the very core of Islam to this day: the Koran (Qur'an) and the Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The syllabus will also include samples from the Tafsir tradition (Koranic hermeneutics), Sufi/mystical literature (poetry and prose), philosophical novels, and pious tales from the popular sphere (the Arabian Nights tradition). The Koran will provide a sustained focus for the course, with particular attention being paid to how it has influenced all categories of Arabo-Islamic literature: linguistically, stylistically, thematically and doctrinally.
   Prof. Kennedy
   
   
4. Advanced Contemporary (Media) Arabic I & II
   G77.1005, 1006. Prerequisite: V77.0104 or equivalent (4 points per term)
   Focuses on contemporary standard Arabic as used by electronic and print media. Contemporary press reports from the Middle East are used as texts, and current news programs from select Arab broadcasts are used and discussed. Uses authentic texts from Arabic newspapers and magazines as well as writing assignments and oral presentations. Open to undergraduates who have successfully completed the Intermediate Arabic sequence.
   Prof. Ferhadi

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1. Elementary Persian I & II
   V77.0401, 0402 (4 points per term)
   This course will provide students with a basic knowledge of the Persian language. All language skills--listening, speaking, reading, and writing--will be developed through the study of authentic materials and in-class communicative activities. Students will also use the computer lab to work with a multimedia program developed as a complement to the material used in class. An important component of the course will be the exploration of historical, literary, and artistic manifestations of Iranian culture. In preparing the course materials the emphasis has been placed on colloquial Persian. However, the textual readings, and the content of the computer program, utilize examples of both literary and colloquial Persian.
   Prof. Khorrami
   
   
2. Intermediate Persian I & II
   V77.0403, 0404. Prerequisite: V77.0402 or equivalent (4 points per term)
   Builds on the skills acquired in V77.0401-0402 through continued study of grammar and syntax. Practice in spoken Persian. This intermediate course aims primarily to increase efficiency in reading and secondarily to improve listening and speaking skills. This is accomplished by learning such skills as scanning, skimming, taking notes, summarizing, and interpreting authentic texts. Persian grammar and syntax and vocabulary building are two other emphases of this course. All in-class work takes place in Persian. Course materials, come from the Persian Fiction Reader (1998) and a packet of proficiency-based lesson modules with authentic texts of lyric verse and essays along with classroom and self-study workbook activities. Audio cassette tapes accompany the course materials.
   Prof. Khorrami
   
   
3. Advanced Persian I & II
   (4 points per term)
   The main goal of this course is to increase student efficiency in reading literary Poetry and Historical/Biographical texts. Throughout the semester students will learn new reading techniques, expand their vocabulary, and thus improve their reading speed. The course packet also includes grammatical explanations and exercises, which are directly related to the selected texts. These sections are specifically designed to enhance student knowledge of Persian grammar and syntax. Students will also examine the differences between linguistic features of the text and those of modern Persian. In addition, students will study the influence of Arabic on the Persian language. Ultimately, the course offers a better understanding of the Persian language and its evolution over time.
   Prof. Khorrami

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1. Elementary Turkish I & II
   V77.0501, 0502 (4 points per term)
   The course aims to build proficiency in four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, using written, audial and visual materials. These materials are also used for cultural literacy. Students get the general grammar in the first year. They are expected to give, solicit and gather general information in a variety of situations, and converse on a variety of topics. Students write short compositions, dialogues, invitations and other creative pieces in building writing skills
   Prof. Erol
   
   
2. Intermediate Turkish I & II
   V77.0503, 0504. Prerequisite: V77.0502 or equivalent (4 points per term)
   With an equal emphasis on speaking, reading, listening and writing, students are introduced to short stories and newspaper articles. Basic knowledge of grammar gained in the first year is expanded with attention to complex structures and forms. Students are expected to make the jump from talking about themselves, the world around them and about a chronological sequence of events to talking about abstract ideas. They are also expected to gain a sense of Turkish values, customs, geography and history. Short writing assignments emphasize a variety of topics and styles
   Prof. Erol
   
   
3. Advanced Turkish I & II
   Prerequisite: Intermediate Turkish V77, 0504 or equivalent (4 points per term)
   These courses introduce students to canonical genres, authors and texts of Turkish literature. Feature films are watched and discussed. There is an emphasis on understanding and expressing abstract ideas and arguments both in class discussions and in written assignments. Students learn to write short discursive essays. There are also creative writing projects
   Prof. Erol

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1. Elementary Hindi I & II
   V77.0405, 0406 (4 points per term)
   The overall goal of this course, as a part of a two-year-curriculum, is to prepare the student to a high level of proficiency in Hindi. Through a variety of class, small-group and paired activities, as well as language and computer lab sessions, students are expected to develop reading, speaking, listening and writing skills. The Instructor will also take into consideration individual needs
   Prof. Ilieva
   
   
2. Intermediate Hindi I & II
   V77.0407, 0408 (4 points per term)
   This course is designed to further develop fluency in oral and written communication. In addition to the class, small-group activities, language and computer lab-sessions, students are given an individual assignment to work with native speakers from the community and report on their findings. The reading assignments are designed to broaden understanding of content used for oral presentations
   Prof. Ilieva
   
   
3. Advanced Hindi I & II
   V77.0409, 0410 (4 points per term)
   An advanced language course in a working seminar format conducted in the target language, designed to acquiant students with Indian geography, history, literary tradition, politics, and art. Students will work with excerpts from newspapers and magazines, selections from ancient and contemporary literature and criticism in the target language. The students will be required to prepare oral presentations, write and essay based on interviews with members of the community, and one final project. No prior knowledge of South Asian literature, history, or culture is expected or required
   Prof. Ilieva

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1. Elementary Urdu I & II
   V77.0401, 0402 (4 points per term)
   This is a beginning Urdu course aimed at introducing the students to the basics of Urdu alphabet, grammar and sentence structure. All four skills are emphasized -- writing and reading, as well as speaking and listening. The course is tailored to address students' interests not only in the language, bust also in the culture it is rooted in. Texts for the course will be developed as a packet by the instructor, although new and additional materials will be constantly introduced, especially as the students develop increased facility and proficiency in the language
   Prof. Naqvi
   
   
2. Intermediate Urdu I & II
   V77.0407, 0408 (4 points per term)
   This course, forming the second part of the two-year language sequence, will continue where Elementary Urdu leaves off. The students, who will be reading by now, will be introduced to literary texts. Along with specific language tasks, criticism and analysis now forms part of the curriculum as well. For example, the students read Manto's short story "Toba Tek Singh," and also verses from the poet Iqbal's collection of poetry. Memorizing poetry, dictation, comprehension, and engaging in longer sessions of conversation will be an important part of this course. At the end of this course we hope to have achieved some fluency in reading literary texts, writing short essays, and carrying on a conversation. Students with prior knowledge of Urdu are encouraged to enroll at this level
   Prof. Naqvi

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