ARA4304 - Contemporary Arabic Literature: Texts and Contexts
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Course content
Reading course to familiarize students with trends and developments in contemporary Arabic literature and to discuss recent literary “events”. Texts are chosen from among works published during the last 5-10 years and will be analyzed as comments on, and expressions of, what is currently “going on” in Arab societies(cf., e.g. the "Arabic Spring") and cultures. The analysis of literary texts will provide students with more insight and a better understanding of literature as a mode of interaction with given political, social, economic etc. situations, and of the texts as “life-worlds (Lebenswelten)” of their own. The course will focus on the Arabic ‘primary’ sources, but relevant other material will also be used in order to improve analysis and to place recent developments in Arabic litterature in the wider context of postcolonial, and global, writing.
Learning outcomes
Students will acquire competence in the reading, analysis and interpretation of Arabic primary sources (fiction). The course also gives training in the critical use of relevant secondary literature. Students shall develop their ability to describe and summarize source material and to analyse it with regard to a chosen method of literary criticism; to present their own analysis in oral and written form and in a concise academic style.
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 reference litterature; reading knowledge in German would be helpful.
Overlap
10 credits against ARA4302 - Readings in Arabic Literature, Religions and Politics.
Teaching
10-week seminar (2 hours/week) with class readings and intermittent lecture-style presentations by teacher and students.
See Felles retningslinjer for obligatoriske aktiviteter ved HF
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
Seminar paper (semesteroppgave; 8-10 pp.; footnotes and appendices excluded) on a relevant topic to be agreed upon.
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
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".
Other information
Reading list is to be agreed upon between student and lecturer.
Useful information about Master's studies at IKOS
(This information will soon be available in English).
Contact us
Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages
Visiting address:
P.A. Munchs hus level 4
Visiting hours:
Mon-Fri: 12:30 - 15:00
Postal address:
PO Box 1010 Blindern
N-0315 Oslo
Fax: 22 85 48 28
E-mail: henvendelser@ikos.uio.no
Web: http://www.hf.uio.no/ikos/