UCL - Classical Arabic II

[GLOR2662]

[45h + 30h] 12 credits

This two-yearly course is taught in 2008-2009, 2010-2011,...

Teacher(s):

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

At the end of the course, the student should have acquired:
- thorough familiarity with Classical Arabic grammar ;
- the ability to independantly read, understand and translate non-literary Classical Arabic texts ; - the heuristic skill of using the main instruments for the study of Classical Arabic grammar and literature : grammars, encyclopaedias, bibliographies, monographs and articles, web-based resources ; - the know-how to carry out individual research within the field of Classical Arabic non-literary prose ; - the communication skills required to orally present the findings of a small-scale research project on a relevant Arabic text.

Main themes

This course deals with non-literary Classical Arabic texts, namely, scientific works, biographies, encyclopaedias, historical and geographical literature, documentary texts (papyri, inscriptions) and popular narratives. The time span covers the 7th to 15th centuries. Themes will be defined in relation to their importance and their authors' fame, to recent trends in research, to the tutor's research projects and those of his colleagues, and, where applicable, to the students' preferences. Texts will be read and analyzed from grammatical, philological and contextual viewpoints, and as a rule, relevant studies will be taken into account.
Please note: this course will be offered in alternating years. It complements GLOR 2661, which deals with literary texts (poetry and artistic prose).

Content and teaching methods

This course deals with non-literary Classical Arabic texts, namely, scientific texts, biographies, encyclopaedias, historical and geographical literature, popular narratives (mostly 7th to 15th centuries). Students are required to present their research assignments on particular texts. The course provides E-learning activities, with compulsory registration on the I-campus platform.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisite : two years of Classical and/or Modern Standard Arabic.
Evaluation : continuous assessment, based on oral presentations and participation in group discussions; oral exam on the course material and on reading assignments.
Support: printed texts, photocopies, documents presented in digital format, sound recordings. The course provides E-learning activities, with compulsory registration on the I-campus platform.
Please note: while French is the language of instruction, other contact languages (Arabic, English, German) may be used occasionally as well, in the case of contributions by visiting lecturers from abroad.