Arabic Sociolinguistics focuses on the various aspects of human behavior that influence language use, learning and acquisition. Inter-relationships between language use and the social contexts that shape it will be examined. Topics of Arabic sociolinguistics that will be discussed include diglossia and the dichotomy between Modern Standard Arabic and the dialeccts, code-switching, gendered discourse and language identity, geographical and social variation, language education, language policy and politics. Students will read articles, and case studies that manifest language use on the various aspects of these topics and will be required to reflect on such readings in writing and orally drawing on their personal experiences and how these topics function within their own communities in comparison to what is prevalent in Arab societies.