SINARC

All classes are held in air-conditioned classrooms and lecture halls, Monday through Friday. A complete schedule will be given at the beginning of the term. 

Textbook

Al-Kitaab fil Ta’allum al-’Arabiyya: A Textbook for Beginning Arabic, Parts One, Two and Three (Brustad, et. al.)

Course descriptions

SIN 101 - Elementary Arabic (6 credits)

This elementary course is designed for students who have no knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic. It offers a unique opportunity for descendants of Arabic- speakers to revive their lost language and cultural ties with their ancestors’ land. The course is open to the general public, students of Middle Eastern studies, business people, embassy officials and children of foreign nationals stationed in the Middle East. In this course, Arabic language instruction aims for basic proficiency in the four language skills: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. By the end of the course, students are able to handle many daily life situations, such as identifying the self and others, naming familiar objects and people, telling time, asking for directions, describing places of residence and national origins, ordering food and drink.

Students registering for Elementary Arabic must also register for Lebanese Dialect, Level I or Level II.

SIN 201 - Intermediate Arabic (6 credits)

Students placed in the intermediate level should have taken at least one year of Arabic in college (or the equivalent), and have acquired a basic knowledge of the structure of Modern Standard Arabic. This course aims at enabling students to read, write, speak, and listen at a competency level equivalent to intermediate-mid on the ACTFL scale. Classroom instruction focuses on basic Arabic morphology, syntax and vocabulary building, as well as on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students are asked to comment on most daily-life situations, write descriptions and argumentation and read a variety of styles.

Students registering for Intermediate Arabic must also register for Lebanese Dialect, Level I or Level II.

SIN 301 - Advanced Arabic (6 credits)

Students placed in the advanced level should have completed the equivalent of two or more years of Arabic in college. They will have acquired a broad vocabulary and mastered basic Arabic syntax and morphology. Class sessions aim to help students attain proficiency in expository and argumentative discourse and to handle a variety of communicative tasks. Reading, writing, and listening activities address various styles of texts covering areas of literature, culture, history, and the social sciences.
Students registering for Advanced Arabic must also register for Lebanese Dialect, Level I or Level II.

SIN 311 - Arabic Language Writing Skills (3 credits)

Students placed in this intermediate-level course will work on improving their Arabic language writing skills and sentence structure through the use of enriched vocabulary and terminology, with correct and adequate syntax, as well as journal writing activities, narratives and translations.

ARA 322 - Principles of Translation (3 credits)

This course deals with the principles of translation, translation from English into Arabic and vice versa. It trains students to write correctly in several styles, especially styles that are proper for literature and the mass media. Chosen texts and selected excerpts are analyzed and translated by taking into consideration common grammatical and syntactic mistakes. (offered in the spring only)

SIN 105 - Lebanese Dialect, Level I (3 credits)

Students placed in this level have no previous knowledge of the dialect. The aim of this course is to provide students of Modern Standard Arabic with an opportunity to learn the basics of the Lebanese dialect. Students in this level will learn to communicate with native speakers in various daily situations.

SIN 106 - Lebanese Dialect, Level II (3 credits)

This course is designed for students who have had some exposure to the Lebanese dialect. The classes will enable students to practice their speaking skills and improve their pronunciation and fluency. Students will converse on topics using description, narration and argumentation.

*Tentative 

Notes:

• Non-refundable deposit: $525
• Dorm/housing single occupancy:  $5,390 (subject to 3 to 5%increase)
• Dorm/housing double occupancy: $3,500/person (subject to 3 to 5%increase)
• Health insurance: $176 (subject to 10 to 15%increase)
• Participants are required to purchase comprehensive health insurance, unless they can provide evidence of comparable coverage. Emergency health insurance for coverage over the duration of the program may be purchased through LAU upon arrival.
• Transportation for arrival and departure between Beirut International Airport and LAU-Beirut is provided for SINARC students (residing in  LAU dorms only) free of charge. Additional transportation needs within Lebanon are the responsibility of students. Taxi and bus services are reasonably priced in Lebanon.
• Meals and round- trip travel to Beirut, books, and supplies are not included in the above costs.
• While ATMs are available and credit cards are widely accepted in Lebanon, cash is the most convenient form of currency. American dollars are legal tender in Lebanon. Other currencies are easily exchanged in banks or exchange counters at official rates. 
• Deposit and tuition payments may be made by check, bank transfer or credit card.
• Refund Clause: Please note that there will be no refunds on program fees after the start of the session, unless the University cancels the program for unforeseen reasons.