Arabic 6 A (UG)

Important! Students who have already studied Arabic should take a placement test.

This module is designed to enhance students' language skills on all levels by consolidating knowledge achieved in previous years and advancing such knowledge to reach new heights. Special emphasis is placed on writing, self-expression and the development of students' sensitivity to the richness and complexity of Arabic syntactic structures; this is done by exposing students to a wide variety of styles and levels of linguistic formulation.

This is a high advanced language acquisition course.

Prerequisites

• Arabic 5B or equivalent

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

• communicate fluently and appropriately in Arabic
• demonstrate a detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the structures, registers, etc. of Arabic

Also, as part of their general language skills, students should be able to:

• communicate information, ideas and arguments cogently and coherently, both orally and in writing
• gather, process and evaluate critically information obtained from a variety of paper, audio-visual and electronic sources
• become effective and self-aware independent learners

Workload

Total of 10 weeks teaching with 5 hours classroom contact per week.

Scope and syllabus

Each year a selection of texts is made to form the basis for the study of Arabic at an advanced level; the selection is determined in part by the composition of the class and the standards of the students and in part by the aims defined for this module. The overall aim is to advance students' skills to a point where they can be seen to possess a good command of Arabic worthy of a graduate of the University.

Emphasis is placed on writing and composition on a variety of themes. This is achieved through setting homework twice a week, teachers' correction of compositions (individually) and discussing samples of the group's work which appear relevant to all students. Individual questions are answered out of class or at the end of class.

Reading skills are also developed through rigorous practice of reading: the text is read out for the class in advance; students are asked to prepare the text for the following class; each student is asked to read part of the text and discuss its meaning; questions about style, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary are asked; a selection of important topics is then built up in order for them to be discussed at length by the teacher when a sufficient set of examples has been collected from the variety of texts discussed in class.

The linguistic features of texts are analysed as part of the overall dynamics, unity and vision of the text. The variety is intended to display the wide range of topics and themes that can be eloquently and effectively expressed in Arabic and to improve students' ability to use Arabic in various contexts and for different purposes. Comprehension skills are thus improved in a less conscious and artificial fashion than is widely practised in the teaching of Arabic as a second language.

Translation is used as part of this process rather than as a goal in itself. A selection of lively English texts is made and a corresponding selection of Arabic texts, other than those studied in class. Translations are corrected individually and a selection of points of special significance is made to discuss in class. In the conversation classes students are encouraged to express their ideas and views on a selected number of subjects and to enter into lively dialogues; at times short plays are used with students playing roles.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this module consists of:

• 30% Mid-term Test
• 70% End-of-term Test
• The exact assessment deadline dates are published on the relevant module Moodle/BLE page

Suggested reading

Selected texts by a wide variety of writers, ancient and modern, covering a wide variety of topics, themes and experiences. No single reference work is given as providing set-texts. A bibliography can be obtained from the convenor.

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.