Advanced Topics in Middle East & North African Studies (390-6-2)
Topic
Reading Modern Arabic Prose
Overview of class
The theme of this course revolves around Arab Nationalism "I am an Arab - أنا عربيّ". It will explore 20th-century Arabic prose and poetry spanning the period 1910-1980. In this course we will examine how Arabic prose and poetry became a vehicle in the formation of national identities against colonialism.
The course will survey key 20th-century Arab writers who are bound together not by borders or nationalities but by the shared experiences of colonial domination and Western imperialism. The course will enable you to cohesively examine the power of the written word within the historical, political, and cultural context, and examine how social criticism is expressed in figurative and metaphorical form.
This course is for undergraduate and graduate students as well as post doc researchers who are interested in exploring contemporary writings and how they have become a tool for forming national identities.
The course also provides foundational skills for students who want to pursue graduate careers in Arabic literature or Middle Eastern Studies. This innovative design aligns with ACTFL standards, and incorporate the newest inclusion and social justice standards as presented in the Teaching Tolerance Anti-Bias framework. (https://www.learningforjustice.org/frameworks/social-justice-standards).
Registration Requirements
Completion of Arabic 211-3 or equivalent; or permission from the instructor is required to enroll in the course.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn foundational analytic skills such as the study of elements and imagery, sounds, forms, and writing styles, characteristics and development over time, which form the bases for analyzing text written by prominent authors of poetry and prose (essays, reflections, short stories, and biographies.)
Student will refine their linguistic abilities in Arabic. An in-depth analysis of each reading will improve the understanding of context, syntax and style.
Students will analyze material that improves understanding of some of the elements of Arabic rhetoric.
Teaching Method
This class is discussion based. Student are expected to come prepared to actively participate in class discussions, reflect on preliminary understanding of literary texts, and work on oral presentations.
Students are also expected to work on short and longer guided writing assignments that demonstrate an understanding of how meaning emerges through rhythm, word choice, style, and context.
Students will work intensively on improving reading-for-comprehension skills, listening and speaking through in-class oral discussions and presentations.
The linguistic textual analysis of each reading will focus on: (1) rapid acquisition of vocabulary and popular idioms through in-class discussions and oral presentations; (2) writing assignments that reflect students' abilities to understand and assimilate the texts.
Evaluation Method
The final grade for the course will be based on the following: Attendance and Participation, completion of pre-class assignments, writing assignments and oral presentations.
Class Materials (Required)
Material will include selections from a variety of different sources and will be provided to students in PDF format.
Class Notes
This class is planned and taught mainly in Modern Standard Arabic. Students are expected to communicate and engage in group conversations using Modern Standard Arabic (FusHa), leaning towards the dialect is possible with continued focus on MSA.
Class Attributes
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline