UCL - Special Issues in Arabic Grammar

[GLOR2934]

[15h] 5 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, particularly morphology and syntax ; - thorough familiarity with the morphology of Classical and spoken Arabic ; - knowledge of the main scholarly works on Arabic grammar and linguistics ; - the communication skills required to skills required to actively contribute to a discussion on a highly technical subject pertaining to Arabic linguistics.

Main themes

The target of this course is research on the grammar of Classical and spoken Arabic. It addresses three categories of scholarly works:
- the traditional treatises by the Classical Arab grammarians as well as modern works inspired by them and written in Arabic or in European languages (Arabic textbooks, works by W. Wright, Sylvestre de Sacy, H. Fleisch, H. Reckendorf, and others);
- comparative studies in which Classical Arabic and various dialects are compared (and sometimes other Semitic languages) with regard to a particular morphological or morpho-syntactic phenonmenon (such as W. Fischer's study on the interrogative pronoun or J. Retsö's study on the finite passive voice of the verb);
- dialectological studies, both descriptive and historical (such as the works of W. Marçais, J. Grand'Henry and J. Lentin, and the language atlases by P. Behnstadt and M. Woidich).
After a general introduction by the co-ordinating lecturer, sessions will consist of group discussions on one or more older or more recent study within the field in question. Occasionally, visiting lecturers will share practical aspects of their current research with the students.

Content and teaching methods

The target of this course is research on the grammar of Classical and spoken Arabic, particularly morphology and syntax. Sessions include group discussions on one or several older or more recent relevant studies. 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 or Modern Standard Arabic ; knowledge of Arabic dialectology.
Evaluation : continuous assessment, based on regular participation in group discussions; 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.