1/1172 - Somali Literature II

Somali language I-II-III

I: Knowledge of Standard Somali at a basic level; of the rudiments of grammar and vocabulary useful in day-to-day contexts along with a basic knowledge of everyday life of the Somalis.

II: Intermediate level of grammatical knowledge and a wider vocabulary, a greater understanding of aspects of Somali life.

III: More advanced level of grammar and vocabulary. Reading texts and listening to recordings on more diverse topics, including aspects of Somali society and culture as well as current affairs.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.

I: The course enables students to communicate in Somali in common situations. They will be able to reply to simple questions and to translate simple texts from and to Somali. They will know words useful in everyday situations. This all comes from applying what is learned.

II: The course gives students the ability to communicate at an intermediate level. They will be able to understand and use the language in a variety of communicative situations and also to listen to audio and video recordings on simple topics. They will be able to read intermediate texts on various subjects.

III: Students will be able to read advanced texts in prose and will be able to speak and to write with greater confidence and fluency on a variety of topics.

Independent judgement.

I, II and III: Knowledge of the language at each level allows the students to communicate with independent judgement at each particular level.

II: Greater knowledge of the culture and society allows students to engage in culturally appropriate ways among Somalis.

III: Advanced knowledge allows for communication with independence of judgement and in an independent way in Somali society.

Communicative abilities.

I, II: The ability to communicate at a basic level (year 1) and at intermediate level (year 2) in Somali in daily everyday situations.

III: The ability to communicate at a more advanced level in Somali in a variety of situations.

Ability to learn.

I, II: The first year allows for learning at the second year level and the second year level allows in turn for learning at the third year level.

III: After three years of study it is possible to study at the magistrale level or independently.

Somali Literature I, II

I: The educational objective is to provide a basic introduction to Somali literature, both oral and written. A selection of poems and extracts of prose literature will be read. The results of the learning are knowledge of the genres of Somali literature, themes in the literature, literary history and major figures and examples of their work. A couple of literary works will be read in Somali, but mostly in translation at this level.

II: The objective of the course is to develop the ability to read poems and literary texts in prose in Somali. In addition the course provides a deeper understanding of the formal, literary and aesthetic characteristics. Ideas related to the concept of literature in Somali will be discussed through looking at the development of modern poetry and the relation with the development of the modern song.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.

I: The course is designed to give the students the knowledge and the methodological tools necessary for presenting concepts related to the course in both written and oral form. They will moreover learn more Somali vocabulary and knowledge of the grammar through reading literary works. Students will be able to show an understanding of literary characteristics in Somali and also of the relation between literature and social circumstances both in the past as well as in the present. They will have knowledge of some of the major figures in Somali literature and of their works.

II: The teaching of the course brings to the students a greater knowledge of Somali literature and of the concepts related to its development. They will acquire a certain knowledge of literary language: specific grammatical structures in poetry and literary usage of the language in the historical contexts of individual works.

Further expected results of the learning.

Independent judgement.

I: The course will help to develop the critical skills of students and independence of judgement relating to the literary works more generally. It will help moreover to develop their linguistic skills in Somali and their cultural awareness.

II: The course will help to develop advanced linguistic skills in Somali and in critical judgement of the students regarding Somali literature, in this way it will also develop these with respect to comparative literature more generally and with respect to cultural awareness.

Communicative abilities.

I: Through studying Somali literature, students will acquire knowledge of the use of terms related to literary study, whether those specific to Somali or more general ones. They will be able to communicate ideas related to Somali literature and culture and also to comparative literature more widely.

II: Literature and poetry in particular play a great part in daily life among the Somalis and so knowledge of poetry will contribute to the communicative skills of students in Somali contexts, not only linguistically but also culturally. They will also be able to communicate on issues in comparative literature, in particular poetry.

Ability to learn.

I: The course Somali Literature I will provide knowledge allowing for undertaking more detailed study of literary works in Somali Literature II.

II: The course Somali Literature II will provide knowledge allowing for undertaking more advanced study of Somali literature. It will also provide help with developing a personal appreciation of Somali literature and songs.