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ARA4303 - Modern Arabic Fiction and Dramatic Arts

Course content

How did modern Arabic literature (MAL) come into being? How did it interact with the great classical heritage and with European literatures? Which role did MAL play in the formation of modern Arab nation states, and in which way did, and does, it contribute to the creation of Arab identities? Which major issues were, and are, authors in various Arab countries concerned with, and do they express these in “specifically Arab” ways? What function do belles-lettres fulfill in modern Arab societies?

This course deals with one of the most important aspects of cultural production in the modern Middle East -- creative writing. It owes its significance for the understanding of modern Arab societies to the fact that MAL is an expression of the creative imagination of (mostly) secular oriented segments of society. The course therefore allows access to aspects of modern Arab societies that are often neglected by the media which tends to focus on religious thinking.

ARA4303 is constructed around a given subject from the history of MAL. Selected novels, short stories, novellas or dramas are presented with a focus on either a period, a theme, a genre, a country, and/or general questions under discussion in relevant extra-literary disciplines (esp. Middle East cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, history). The course’s focus may differ from year to year. Course activities encompass the reading of original texts, secondary literature in Arabic and other languages, as well as discussions about methodology for literary studies and theatre studies.
The course may serve as a historical introduction for advanced students who plan to write their master thesis on a subject related to MAL and is especially recommended as such. The historical approach of this fall course is complemented by the spotlights which the spring course ARA4304 - Contemporary Arabic Literature: Texts and Contexts sheds on literary events and phenomena of the most recent period (last 10-15 years). Both courses are informed by the teacher’s research projects. ARA4303 is meant to profit especially from the findings of The History of Middle Eastern Literatures Revisited.

Learning outcomes

Students will

• become familiar with a highly relevant aspect of modern Arab cultural production
• come to know major representatives of the modern literary tradition, both key figures and key works
• acquire competence in the reading and interpretation of Arabic primary sources
• receive training in the critical use of relevant secondary literature both in Arabic and in other languages
• develop their ability to describe and summarize source material and to analyse it with regard to a chosen method of literary criticism
• present their own analysis in oral and written form and in a concise academic style
• learn evaluate each other’s work.

Admission

Admission as a Master's student to the Program for Asian and African Studies.

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

ARA2110 - Arabisk språk 3+4 or equivalent

Recommended prior knowledge

Fluent knowledge of written Arabic (four semesters minimum); English; for some secondary texts. A reading knowledge of French and/or German may be helpful.

Teaching

Teaching consists of at least 5 double hours of lectures and at least 5 double hours of seminars. Attendance in at least two thirds of the teaching is mandatory. Seminars consist of presentations of student essays and prepared discussion notes.

• Student’s oral presentation in class to be passed

Lectures and seminars will be conducted in English, whereas the student essays and discussion notes can be in either Norwegian or English.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Teaching takes place throughout the semester.

Criteria for access to teaching resources

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.

Exam information

Term paper (semesteroppgave), 8-10 pp. à 2300 characters

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Mid-term evaluation

Periodic evaluation Autumn 08

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