This course focuses on developing advanced oral and written fluency in modern Arabic through the study of the cultures and histories of Arab-speaking nations. The course is taught in both Arabic and English, where emphasis is placed on broadening Arabic vocabulary and grammar; listening and speaking skills; and discerning the cultural context of complex readings and speech among the Arabic nations/regions. We will work closely with our primary textbook during the semester. In the second half of the semester we will also work with some outside texts, primarily short stories and essays.