This course provides intermediate-level students with an introduction to the language of the Arab media and develops their basic listening and interpreting skills. This course is aimed at students who have mastered basic Arabic grammar, have acquired a small vocabulary, and are able to some degree to appreciate the stylistic and other differences between Media Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. read, listen and comprehend the Modern Standard Arabic typically used in Arabic-language newspapers and Internet sites, and on Arabic-language radio and television;
2. present and discuss current affairs topics in oral and written form in the style and format typically found on Arabic-language radio and television;
3. write and translate simple news reports and media texts from English into Arabic;
4. comprehend conversations, dialogue, and delivered news on a range of topics; and
5. demontrate ability to analyze complex texts and audio-visual resources, evaluate different perspectives, demonstrating advanced critical thinking skills.

Required Resources

Internet access, speakers, webcam, microphone, Arabic keyboard and scanner or scanning app. Some of the content of this course are better displayed using Firefox.

Recommended Resources

Ashtiany, J. (2001). Media Arabic. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

 

Kendall, Elisabeth, Media Arabic, 2nd ed, (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2012).

 

Arabic-English dictionary: HANS WEHR “A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic”, Edited by J. Milton Cowan

 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to key verbs in Reports and Statements/ Preparatory Exercises  ????????? ????????
2	Official Visits ???????? ???????
3	Analysis and Comprehension: using titles ??????? ????? ????????
4	Receptions and Meetings ???????? ???????????
5	Exploring the use of synonyms and padding in media reports Exploring frames and fillings: differentiating key points from details	Quiz 1
6	Vocab building: Politics, Political Parties ??????? ????????	Written News 1
7	Vocab building: Elections ??????????
8	Vocab building: Terrorism  ???????
9	Vocab building: War and Conflict ?????? ?????????
10	building: Protests and Demonstrations ?????????? ??????????
11	Vocab building: Natural disasters ??????? ????????	Quiz 2
12	Vocab building: Aid ????????	Written News Item 2
13	Study period and start of exam period	Oral Presentation

Tutorial Registration

Refer to Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial and Forum Participatoin	15 %	1,2,3,4
Quizzes	40 %	1,3,4
Writing of two news reports	30 %	1,3,4
Oral Presentation	15 %	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial and Forum Participatoin

Students will be required to prepare and participate in discussions by posting their own comments on the specified topic for each week and taking part in the weekly tutorial. Forum posts must reflect some breadth of reading or knowledge of the issue and ability to comment on other students’ posts and provide own opinion.  

Assessment Task 2

Quizzes

Two quizzes, to be taken in weeks 5 and 11 and including multiple choice, comprehension questions, translation, short-answer, and fill in the blanks based on lessons covered.

Assessment Task 3

Writing of two news reports

Students are required to write in Arabic two news reports of 200 words each in Weeks 6 and 12, relating to a topic of their choice which has been on the news (national or international news). 

Assessment Task 4

Oral Presentation

This is a video recording of a news bulletin due in Week 13 (at the start of the exam period), on topics that students have researched, or events that took place around the world. The presentation is to be in Modern Standard Arabic and should be two-minutes long. The News Bulletin can be headlines of a number of events/issues, or a report on a single topic/issue.

Although not assessed, the written transcript of the presentation is to be submitted at the same time as the presentation.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned one week after submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students