93599 - Arabic Language and Literature 2

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with an introductory level of competence in the language and literature of the Arab world. By the end of the course, students will have acquired sufficient knowledge and critical skills to understand and interpret the main literary genres in both poetry and prose within Arabic literature. Students will also be able to orient themselves critically not only from a literary perspective, but also from a historical, political, and cultural point of view, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the broad and diverse Arab-Islamic world.

Course contents

In this part of the course, the programme begun in the first year is continued and further developed through an integrated approach that combines the study of the Arabic language and grammar with the analysis of key aspects of contemporary Arabic literature.

Grammar

The course continues the study of Arabic morphosyntax, completing and expanding upon the topics introduced in the first year and introducing new intermediate-level content. In particular, the following topics will be covered:

• derived verb forms;

• the interrogative sentence;

• numerals;

• the collective noun;

• kull and baʿḍ;

• the elative;

• ʾinna and its “sisters”;

• expressions of “obligation” and “ability”;

• ʾan and the use of the subjunctive;

• the relative clause;

• the verb kāna and its constructions.

Literature

The course offers a historical overview of Arabic literature from the period of the Nahḍa to the contemporary era, with particular attention to processes of renewal and to linguistic and literary transformations, analysed within their historical, social, and cultural contexts.

During the course, representative texts from the different historical phases examined will be presented and discussed; these texts will be translated and analysed collectively in class, with the aim of developing critical reading skills and an understanding of the main trends in modern and contemporary Arabic literature.

Readings/Bibliography

Language and Grammar

- Ruocco, Monica, et al. Comunicare in arabo. Hoepli, 2022, volumi 1 e 2.

- Deheuvels L.-W., Grammatica araba. Manuale di arabo moderno con esercizi e cd audio per l'ascolto. Volume 1. Edizione italiana a cura di Antonella Ghersetti. Zanichelli, 2010.

Literature

- Camera D’Afflitto I., Letteratura araba contemporanea. Dalla nahdah a oggi. Carocci, 2007.

Further materials selected by the teacher.

Teaching methods

The module adopts a communicative approach integrated with the gradual introduction of grammatical structures and literary content.

The course is structured according to the didactic unit model. Lessons usually begin with a text (oral or written), which serves as the central element from which the other dimensions are developed.

Part of each lesson will be devoted to the analysis of literary aspects.

The course acknowledges the diversity of students’ learning approaches, including prior knowledge, cognitive styles, and preferred learning modalities.

Assessment methods

The final examination is divided into two parts: a written test in grammar and translation, and an oral examination in literature.

Language and Translation

The grammar and translation test will focus on assessing the students’ competence in the Arabic language acquired during the course, in accordance with the level established and required by the programme.
The test will consist of exercises designed to assess grammatical knowledge, as well as the translation of a short text.
The written exam will be graded on a scale of thirty points. Passing the written exam is a prerequisite for admission to the oral examination; therefore, students who do not achieve a passing grade in the written test will not be allowed to sit the oral exam.

Literature

The literature examination will focus on assessing the linguistic and theoretical knowledge acquired during the course. The exam will require a concise and well-structured presentation of the topics and literary texts covered during the course.

Note: Non-attending students who intend to take the exam are kindly invited to contact the instructor by email in order to agree on the study of any additional materials.

Teaching tools

The materials listed in the bibliography will be supplemented with additional resources, mainly based on authentic Arabic-language sources and materials.
Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) who require compensatory measures or instructional accommodations are invited to communicate their needs to the teaching staff, so that they can be appropriately addressed and suitable measures can be agreed upon in coordination with the relevant offices.

Office hours

See the website of Giacomo Iazzetta