Introduction to Classical/Qur'anic Arabic II

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The goal of this course is to develop a basic knowledge of Classical/qur'anic Arabic, with an emphasis on grammar and syntax overview, vocabulary acquisition, and readings of Islamic texts. The majority of the class will be spent learning classical grammar, which will serve as a foundation for understanding the structure of texts written in Classical Arabic. Using Alan Jones' Arabic through the Qur'an as our textbook, we will read selections from the Qur'an, qur'anic exegeses, hadith (Prophetic tradition), and other related material, such as Islamic legal texts. The prerequisite for this class is familiarity with beginning Arabic. The instructor will assess your level at the start of the course and make recommendations as needed. By the end of the course, students should be able to read samplings of classical texts with the aid of a dictionary. Through these readings, students will engage with major genres of the classical Arabic tradition, including historiography, theology, law, and exegesis.