Introduction To Arabic Literature
- Arts
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 92 pages
- 14 units
This course introduces students to Arabic literature from the pre-Islamic era to the early Islamic period. It explores the origins of the Arabic language, the themes and styles of pre-Islamic poetry and prose, and the impact of Islam on Arabic literary traditions. The course aims to provide a foundation for further studies in Arabic literature and culture, focusing on key literary figures and their works.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 39 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ARA127, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ARA127 · UNIT 1: ARABIA BEFORE ISLAM
4.0 CONCLUSION An understanding of the culture of the Pre-Islamic Arab society, its value system and way of life is very necessary for a proper understanding of the literary productions of the period and these literary productions on their own part are the most authentic records of the way of life of the Arabs of the time.
What you should be able to do
- Discuss the origins of Arabic literature and its development through the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.
- Identify and analyze the key themes and styles of pre-Islamic poetry.
- Explain the significance of Al-Mu'allaqat in Arabic literary history.
- Describe the impact of Islam on Arabic literature, including the emergence of new literary forms.
- Compare and contrast the literary traditions of the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.
What it prepares you for
- Translator
- Arabic Language Teacher
- Cultural Affairs Officer
- Content Writer
- Journalist
- Education
- Translation Services
- Cultural Organizations
- Media
- Government
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 1: Pre-Islamic Poetry, Themes, Style and Al- Muallaqaat
Understanding the complex themes and styles of pre-Islamic poetry, especially the significance and interpretation of Al-Mu'allaqat, requires a deep dive into the cultural and historical context.
- Module 4:
Unit 3: Orations of 'Uthmān and 'Aliyy
Analyzing the orations of 'Aliyy requires understanding the complex political climate of his time and the rhetorical devices he employed to address the challenges he faced.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Arabia before Islam · 2 hours
Read about the origins of the Arabs and their ancestral branches.. Describe the geography of Arabia before Islam.. Discuss the pre-Islamic Arab values.. Examine the different spheres of Arabs' social, political, and religious lives..
Unit 2: Arabic: The Language of the Arabs · 2 hours
Understand the nature of Arabic Language.. Grasp the structure of Arabic Language.. Understand the pronunciation of Arabic consonants.. Understand the relationship between the Qur'an and Arabic Language..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 3: Arabic Literature in the Pre-Islamic Period meaning and scope · 2 hours
Define "adab" and its various connotations.. Discuss the classification of Arabic literary history into periods.. Discuss the scope of Arabic literature in the pre-Islamic period..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 1: Pre-Islamic Poetry, Themes, Style and Al- Muallaqaat · 2 hours
Outline and discuss the various themes of Pre-Islamic poetry.. Describe the styles of Pre-Islamic poetry.. Discuss the poets of Al-Mu'allaqat fame..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 2: Selected Poets of the Period · 2 hours
Discuss Imru'u `1-Qays and give excerpts from his poetry.. Appreciate the treatment of Al-Waşf, Al-Fakhr, and Al-Hikmah in the poems of Imru'u `1-Qays.. Appreciate the treatment of Al-Waşf, Al-Fakhr, and Al-Hikmah in the poems of 'Antara.. Appreciate the treatment of Al-Waşf, Al-Fakhr, and Al-Hikmah in the poems of Zuhayr..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 3: Pre-Islamic Prose · 2 hours
Understand the dimensions of Pre-Islamic prose.. Discuss the orators and orations of the period.. Discuss the Arabic proverbs and its usage..
- Week 6Module 3:
Unit 1: The Poetry of Early Islamic Period · 2 hours
Know the Early Islamic Period and discuss the state of the poetry of the Period.. Discuss the themes of the poetry of the period.. Understand the difference between the poetry of the Pre- and the early Islamic periods..
- Week 7Module 3:
Unit 2: Al-Mukhadramūn and their Works · 2 hours
Define the term Mukhađramūn and those to whom it applies.. Mention the names of the popular Mukhađramūn poets.. Discuss the life and works of at least three of the leading Mukhađramūn poets..
- Week 8Module 3:
Unit 3: Arabic Prose in the Early Islamic Period · 2 hours
Discuss the dimensions of Arabic prose in the early Islamic period.. Understand the Qur'an as a divine literary piece.. Highlight epistles and treaties as other types of prose that existed during the period..
- Week 9Module 4:
Unit 1: Orations of Prophet Muhammad · 2 hours
Discuss the importance of orations to the Arabs.. Appreciate the significance of orations in Islam.. Discuss the orations of Prophet Muhammad with examples..
- Week 10Module 4:
Unit 2: Orations and Correspondence of Abubakr and 'Umar · 2 hours
Discuss the orations of Abubakr and its styles.. Appreciate the style of 'Umar in his speeches and writings..
- Week 11Module 4:
Unit 3: Orations of 'Uthmān and 'Aliyy · 2 hours
Discuss the orations of 'Uthmān and its style.. Analyze the oration of 'Aliyy and the political climate of his time and how it reflects in his oration..
- Week 12Module 4:
Unit 4: Impact of Islam on Arabic Literature · 2 hours
Discuss how Islam impacted on Arabic literary arts.. Appreciate the extent to which the Qur'an and the Hadith have influenced the Arab men of letters..
- Week 13Module 4:
Unit 5: A Concluding Survey · 2 hours
Discuss the main features of Arabic Literature in the Jāhiliyyah.. Identify the new dimensions introduced into the Arabic literature in the early Islamic period..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events and literary figures from the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.
- Focus on understanding the themes and styles of pre-Islamic poetry, particularly Al-Mu'allaqat.
- Compare and contrast the literary traditions of the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.
- Practice analyzing excerpts from key literary works, such as the Qur'an and the Hadith.
- Review all assignments and tutor-marked assessments to identify areas for improvement.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ARA127 about?
This course introduces students to Arabic literature from the pre-Islamic era to the early Islamic period. It explores the origins of the Arabic language, the themes and styles of pre-Islamic poetry and prose, and the impact of Islam on Arabic literary traditions. The course aims to provide a foundation for further studies in Arabic literature and culture, focusing on key literary figures and their works.
How many units does ARA127 have?
ARA127, Introduction To Arabic Literature, has 14 units across 4 modules, over 92 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ARA127?
ARA127 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Arts.
Is ARA127 hard?
ARA127 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ARA127 take to study?
About 39 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.
How is ARA127 assessed?
ARA127 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ARA127?
Translator, Arabic Language Teacher, Cultural Affairs Officer, Content Writer and Journalist.