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Arabic Language and Literature
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Expected learning outcomes
The Arabic Language II course covers level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference. It aims to expand the morphological and syntactic knowledge of standard Arabic that students acquired during their first year and to strengthen their vocabulary through the analysis of the formal structures of short, simple texts consistent with an elementary level of language proficiency. Specifically, at the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to communicate in simple, routine activities that require a simple exchange of information on familiar and common topics; describe aspects of their life and surroundings in simple terms; and express immediate needs.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and methodological tools for the following skills: understanding written and spoken language; producing written texts; and communicating orally. These skills will be developed through activities such as production, reading, translation, textual analysis and reworking a general concept in a personalised way by applying it to a concrete case. Additionally, students will learn how to use the Arabic keyboard on various devices (PCs, tablets and smartphones). Students must demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of issues related to the field of cultural mediation. This involves expanding on the morphological and syntactic notions of Standard Arabic learned in the first year, as well as strengthening vocabulary through analysing the formal structures of short, simple texts.
Additional expected learning outcomes
Autonomy of judgement:
By the end of the course, students should be able to apply the skills they have acquired to analyse and understand simple texts selected from sources such as the Arabic press and contemporary literary works.
Communication skills:
Students should be able to communicate information and ideas related to the course topics effectively, using the morphological and syntactic knowledge acquired in the first and second years correctly.
Learning skills:
By the end of the course, students should have acquired the necessary skills to progress to the next level with a high degree of autonomy.
Course Prerequisites
Students must have a thorough mastery of the Arabic writing system and a solid understanding of the basic morphology of nouns, verbs and nominal and verbal phrases before starting the course, in order to grasp the material covered in the teaching. The same applies to non-attending and working students in order to achieve the educational objectives.
Teaching Methods
The pedagogical approach adopted is communicative, with the objective of harmoniously developing the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The pedagogical approach entails the meticulous guidance of students through a systematic learning process, with equal emphasis and attention allocated to each of the four distinct skills. This methodology ensures that no particular skill is prioritised over another, fostering an equitable and balanced development of all competencies.
The Arabic language course includes lectures, seminars and exercises involving listening, reading comprehension and conversation activities. Students will be required to complete individual assignments or research projects on specific topics to assess the skills acquired. Self-assessment tests will be carried out throughout the course.
The course is divided as follows:
Grammar, theory and practice: 24 hours.
Exercises A: Conversations in Standard Arabic on Specific Topics – 12 hours.
Exercises B: Writing texts in Arabic, 12 hours.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of written and oral tests, both graded on a scale of 30. The final written test assesses text comprehension and production through multiple-choice and open-ended questions, as well as a morphosyntactic test. The oral test, conducted in Italian and Arabic, assesses language learning quality through reading, comprehension and analysis of studied texts, and through a standard Arabic conversation with the teacher and CELs on course topics. Assessment will be based on understanding written texts, comprehension of spoken language, written production, oral communication skills, and the correct use of acquired vocabulary.
Texts
Reference manuals:
Monica Ruocco, Luca D’Anna, Souzan Fatayer, Mohammad Husein Eid, Comunicare in arabo, vol. 1, Milano Hoepli, 2022.
Monica Ruocco, Daniela Potenza, Souzan Fatayer, Mohammad Husein Eid, Comunicare in arabo, vol. 2, Milano Hoepli, 2023.
Practical exercises:
Mahmoud Gaafar & Jane Wightwick, Easy Arabic Reader, A Three-Part Text for Beginning Students, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2011.
Adrian Gee, Arabic Stories for Beginners, 2024.
Reference grammar:
Giuliano Mion, Luca D’Anna, Grammatica di arabo standard moderno, Milano, Hoepli, 2021.
Dictionaries:
Baldissera Eros, Vocabolario Arabo Italiano\Italiano-Arabo, Milano 1994.
Traini Renato, Vocabolario Arabo-Italiano, Istituto per l’Oriente Roma, 1993.
Contents
Morphology and syntax:
1. Regular triliteral verbs (sàlim): derived forms.
2. Mute verbs (mudāʿaf) and their derived forms.
3. Hamzat verbs (mahmùz) and hamza spelling.
4. Weak or assimilated first verbs (mithal, triliteral verbs, and their derivatives).
5. Medium weak or concave verbs (ajwaf: triliteral verbs and their derivatives).
6. Defective or weak verbs (nàqis: triliteral verbs and their derivatives).
7. The passive voice.
8. Relative and indefinite pronouns.
9. The comparative (majority, minority and equality; relative and absolute superlative).
10. The verb kàna and its derivatives (Kàna wa akhawàtuha).
11. Inna and her sisters (Inna wa akhawatuha).
12. Numerals: Cardinal and Ordinal
13. Four-letter verbs.
Topics: Language skills related to:
- welcoming a guest
- organising trips in the country whose language is being studied
- familiar topics
- topics of personal interest or related to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, school, university, health, career, work, travel)
- culture (e.g. classical and contemporary poetry and prose, cinema, music)
- current affairs (e.g. the environment, gender issues, recent history of the Arab world)
- feelings, desires and impressions
Course Language
Italian
More information
Attendance is recommended, as it is essential for the exercises and for acquiring the communication skills on which the course is based.
The course does not distinguish between non-attending students and Erasmus students in terms of the programme.