ARA4304 - Contemporary Arabic Literature: Texts and Contexts
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 literature in the wider context of postcolonial, and global, writing.
Learning outcome
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
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.
You have to have admission as a Master's student to the Program for Asian and African Studies to follow this course
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Id does not exist in shared textARA2110 - Arabisk språk 3+4 or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
Fluent knowledge of written Arabic (four semesters minimum) and English. For reference literature, reading knowledge in German and/or French will open new horizons.
Overlapping courses
10 credits against ARA4302 - Readings in Arabic Literature, Religions and Politics (discontinued).
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, but nor necessarily every week (dates are negotiable).
Access to teaching
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, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Term paper (semesteroppgave) on a relevant topic to be agreed upon, 8-10 pages (18-22 000 characters including spaces, 12 pt, 1.5 lines; footnotes and appendices excluded).
The term paper/essay can be written in English or Norwegian (or Danish, Swedish).
Examination support material
Id does not exist in shared textLanguage of examination
Id does not exist in shared textGrading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
You may request an explanation of your grades, and you may also appeal against your grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals.
Resit an examination
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.
Withdrawal from an examination
Id does not exist in shared textSpecial examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.
Other
Reading list is to be agreed upon between student and lecturer.
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