MELC 431 A: Arabic Linguistics

Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

University of Washington

Arabic Linguistics

MELC 431/538

WINTER 2024

Class Time:            Monday 1:30 pm - 3:20 pm

Location:                SAV 158

Instructor:              Hussein M. Elkhafaifi

Office:                    Denny M 220C

Phone:                    (206) 543-9596

E-mail:                   hme3@uw.edu

Office Hours:        By appointment

Textbooks

Required: Introduction to Arabic Linguistics. Youssef A Haddad. 2023.

Course description

In this course we focus on the study of Arabic as “a language system” In this regard, we look at the language’s sound system (phonology), word structure (morphology, particularly roots and patterns), phrase and sentence structure (syntax), and meaning at the word and sentential level (semantics).

Course objectives

In this course, you will:

1. master the fundamentals of modern linguistic analysis.
2. understand the fundamentals of Arabic linguistics in these areas:

3. (a) the sound system of Arabic (consonants, vowels, syllables, stress, and a few others), (b) word-structure of verbs, nouns, and pronouns (with particular focus on roots and patterns), (c) phrase and sentence structure and meaning (word order, nominal sentences, verbal sentences, negation, question-formation, ɁiDaafah, and a few others).

1. enhance your problem-solving skills, your ability to draw generalizations from a set of Arabic data, to make a hypothesis to explain the data, and to revise the hypothesis in light of new data.

Canvas

This course uses Canvas LMS, an online learning management system at the University of Washington.  The course website is: https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1731155.You can find your assignments and tests quickly using the buttons to the left of this Home Page or the “Calendar” button to the right. If you have any problems using Canvas, you can get help at help@uw.edu.

Course Requirements

You are expected to do all readings before class in order to facilitate discussion and give you time to ask any questions you may have. You are also expected to check Canvas (or ensure you have notifications activated so these are sent to your email account) in order to keep up with any announcements or reminders that I may post. Please bring your notes and any other materials you may need with you to class.

Student Assessment

Grading Policy

Refer to the Grading Scale at the end of this syllabus.

This course is a seminar, with a considerable amount of weekly reading, and heavy emphasis on preparation and discussion. Attendance and participation are essential.

Incompletes

Incompletes are only permitted as defined in writing by the University of Washington, within the limits outlined by UW academic policy. https://registrar.washington.edu/students/incomplete-grades/.

Effort Required

The policy of the UW curriculum committee is that each credit multiplied by 3 is the amount of time a course should take per week. Thus, this course requires 15 hours per week of work, including time spent attending class, studying, and doing homework.

Class Attendance & Participation

It’s really impossible to do well on homework problems without attending classes regularly. You are expected to attend all classes and to be there on time. Class participation includes doing the assigned readings prior to class, raising, and answering questions in class, as well as taking part in class discussion.

I expect you to attend every class unless you let me know in advance. Keep in mind that 20 percent of your course grade is based on class participation, and that the only way to participate in class discussions and activities is to be there for them. Active participation in class is essential. Students cannot participate if they are not in class. There is no substitute or “make-up” for class participation. If you miss class (for any reason), you will not receive participation credit for that day. You are expected to attend all classes and to arrive on time. Class participation includes doing the assigned readings PRIOR to class, posing and answering questions in class, as well as taking part in class discussion in a substantive way each week.

Reading Response

Every week, each student will submit a written 1-2-page overview of the readings, identifying the major substantive issues and posing questions for class discussion. The overview of the readings should not be summaries of the readings; instead, they should highlight the key analytical issues raised in the readings. Use size 14 font and single space for your Word document.

Discussion Board:

Your active discussion of the class readings and lecture content is part of your class participation requirement. You must submit comments and questions to the group, via Assignments https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1731155/assignments . Please use the discussion board to pose course-related questions for your classmates concerning the assignments, readings, videos, or lectures. The discussion board is also a place for you to ask specific questions, such as “what is pidgin,” or “I don’t know what is meant by “diglossia.” Please observe common courtesy and respect with postings just as you practice these in class. I’ll read the postings, but mostly be quiet. I want this to be a place where you can think out loud together about course content, without intrusion from me. Do not wait until the last minute to post your comments, leave ample time for responses. Check often to see if new comments have been submitted and post your own early. Comments submitted after class will not be counted.

Homework 

There will be three Homework Assignments to evaluate your understanding of the readings and to help you work on linguistic problems in Arabic, applying the same reasoning and analytical tools that we’ll be discussing in class. You are allowed, and even encouraged, to discuss homework questions with your classmates, but please bear in mind that the work you turn in has to be yours and yours alone.

INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Student Conduct

The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/WAC/478-121TOC.html.

Inclusion

UW strives to create a welcoming environment for all students. Please speak to or email the professor for assistance related to inclusion in the classroom learning community. Examples are personal pronouns, disability, neurodiversity, accommodations, privacy, disclosure, religious observance schedules, and learning preferences. When there is a safe and open atmosphere for discussing our diversity, it creates a better learning environment for all.

Access and Accommodations

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodation with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodation to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu.  DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Religious Accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at:  https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/

Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodation Request Form:  https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/

I wish you success

Grading Scale

Per UW policy I cannot discuss grades via email. Please make an appointment to talk in my office if you have concerns.