Classical Arabic III B

Teacher(s)

De Callatay Godefroid;

Language

French

Prerequisites

LGLOR1661 and LGLOR1662, or at least two years of Classical and/or Modern Arabic language training.

Main themes

In-depth study of literary Arabic in its older variety, which is the language of the Koran and of all great works of classical Arabic literature.
Alternately with LGLOR 2661, this course undertakes the study of Arab texts belonging to the realm of belles lettres: classical literary poetry and prose (especially the 7th to 15th centuries, not excluding more recent continuations of the genres in question). The course may also include modern texts written in Classical Arabic and dealing with literary, historic or religious topics.
The precise themes will be decided in function of importance and fame of the texts in question; recent research developments; the academic interests of the tutor and his colleagues and, when possible and relevant, the interests of the students.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, the student will be capable to read, translate and comment on the important works of classical Arab literature. In order to achieve this goal, the student will acquire thorough familiarity with Classical Arabic grammar, 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), an elementary knowledge of Arab prosody (the metric structures of poetry and of rhymed prose), the capability of carrying out personal research on specific subjects in the domain of in the domain of Classical Arabic poetry and prose, and of presenting the results of a research project of limited dimensions on a specific Arabic text.

Content

This graduate course addresses several categories or genres of Classical Arabic texts: literary (poetry, artistic prose), religious historico-geographical or documentary texts.
It trains the students to present and comment orally on specific texts connected to research projects.

Teaching methods

This course is a seminar. It requires active involvement. The texts, prepared by the students, are read and analysed as a group. They will be analysed from grammatical, philological and contextual perspectives, with systematic reference to relevant studies.

Evaluation methods

1. Continuous assessment of quality of participation in class (in the case of a second inscription: to be replaced by an assignment). Proportion: 40%.
2. Oral exam based on the subjects treated during the course. Proportion: 60%.

Note : students who have failed to sufficiently attend the course (more than 3 absences) may be excluded from the exam, as per recommendation by the jury.

Other information

While French is the language of instruction, Arabic will be used to some extent, particularly for pronunciation and conversation drills.

Online resources

https://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=12128

Bibliography

• Textes imprimés, textes en photocopies, documents présentés sous forme numérique, support sonore.
• Inscription obligatoire sur Moodle.
• Manuel de référence :
  A. d'Alverny, Cours de langue arabe, Beyrouth, 2004.

Teaching materials

• Portefeuille de lectures/textes

Faculty or entity

EHAC