Arabic Literature in Abbasid Period
- Arts
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 87 pages
- 11 units
This course introduces students to Arabic literature during the Abbasid period, focusing on prose. It explores the meaning, characteristics, and classification of Arabic prose, including orations, epistles, and stories. The course also examines the historical development of Arabic prose and analyzes the works of prominent figures such as al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz, and Abdul-Hamid al-Katib. Students will learn to appreciate the literary and cultural significance of Arabic prose.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ARA228, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ARA228 · UNIT 2: CLASSIFICATION OF ARABIC PROSE
Our focus in this course is on artistic prose. Have you read prose works of this type in the past? Try to recollect their titles and their authors. Since our concern in this course is to study this type of prose, we should also identify the appropriate method of studying artistic prose in Arabic literature.
What you should be able to do
- Define and differentiate between various forms of Arabic prose.
- Analyze the historical development of Arabic prose during the Abbasid period.
- Identify and explain the key features of Arabic orations and epistles.
- Evaluate the literary contributions of prominent figures in Arabic prose.
- Appreciate the cultural and historical significance of Arabic literature.
- Compare and contrast different styles and themes in Arabic prose.
What it prepares you for
- Translator
- Arabic Teacher
- Historian
- Cultural Analyst
- Diplomat
- Education
- Translation Services
- Diplomacy
- Cultural Heritage
- Journalism
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Orations
Unit 2: Oration of al-Hajjāj ibn Yūsuf ath-Thaqafī
Al-Hajjaj's oration uses complex rhetorical devices and forceful language, requiring careful analysis of its persuasive techniques and historical context.
- Module 3: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Epistles
Unit 2: Epistles of `Abdul-Hamīd al-Kātib
Abdul-Hamid's epistles require understanding of classical Arabic prose style and rhetorical devices, making it difficult to appreciate the nuances of his writing.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 40 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introducing Arabic Prose
Unit 1: Meaning and Characteristics of Arabic Prose · 3 hours
Read the introduction to Arabic prose.. Define prose and differentiate it from poetry.. Explain the meaning of *an-Nathr al-Fannī* and its peculiarities..
- Week 2Module 1: Introducing Arabic Prose
Unit 2: Classification of Arabic Prose · 3 hours
Study the classification of Arabic prose.. Identify oral and written prose forms.. Distinguish between artistic and non-artistic prose..
- Week 3Module 1: Introducing Arabic Prose
Unit 3: Historical Development of Arabic Prose · 3 hours
Examine the historical development of Arabic prose.. Identify the foundational stage and its characteristics.. Discuss the Prophetic Era and its influence on prose..
- Week 4Module 2: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Orations
Unit 1: An Overview of al-Khiṭābah · 3 hours
Define *al-Khiṭābah* and its anatomy.. Identify the types of oration and their functions.. Discuss the qualities of a *Khatīb*..
- Week 5Module 2: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Orations
Unit 2: Oration of al-Hajjāj ibn Yūsuf ath-Thaqafī · 3 hours
Study the biography of al-Hajjāj ibn Yūsuf.. Read and analyze excerpts from his oration.. Identify the significant features of his oration..
- Week 6Module 2: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Orations
Unit 3: Oration of `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Azīz · 3 hours
Study the biography of `Umar ibn `Abdul-`Azīz.. Read and translate excerpts from his oration.. Give textual analysis of his oration..
- Week 7Module 3: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Epistles
Unit 1: An Overview of ar-Risālah · 3 hours
Define *ar-Risālah* and discuss the need for epistles.. Describe the types of *ar-Risālah*.. Explain the structure or characteristics of Arabic epistles..
- Week 8Module 3: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Epistles
Unit 2: Epistles of `Abdul-Hamīd al-Kātib · 3 hours
Narrate the life history of `Abdul-Hamīd al-Kātib.. Describe the literary qualities of al-Kātib.. Identify the types of his epistles and their features..
- Week 9Module 3: Introduction to the Study of Arabic Epistles
Unit 3: Epistles of al-Hasan al-Baṣrī · 3 hours
Narrate the life history of al-Hasan al-Baṣrī.. Describe the literary qualities of al-Hasan al-Baṣrī.. Explain the important features and values of his epistles..
- Week 10Module 4: Introducing Arabic Stories
Unit 1: An Overview of al-Qissah · 3 hours
Define *al-Qissah* in Arabic literature.. Trace the history of story-telling among the Arabs.. Describe the types of Arabic short stories..
- Week 11Module 4: Introducing Arabic Stories
Unit 2: Ibn Muqaffa`s Kalīlah wa Dimnah · 3 hours
Narrate the life history of `Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffa`.. Trace the history of *Kalīlah wa Dimnah*.. Highlight the contents of the book and summarize the plot..
- Week 12Module 4: Introducing Arabic Stories
Unit 3: Suhayr al-Qalamāwi's al-Basimah · 3 hours
Narrate the life history of Suhayr al-Qalamāwī.. Identify the characters in the story.. Sketch the plot of the story and undertake a literary analysis..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision and Assessment Preparation · 4 hours
Review all modules and units.. Prepare for assignments and tutor-marked assessments.. Practice analyzing Arabic prose texts..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key figures and literary periods discussed in the course.
- Practice analyzing excerpts from Arabic prose texts, focusing on rhetorical devices and stylistic features.
- Develop a comparative chart of different forms of Arabic prose (orations, epistles, stories), noting their characteristics and functions.
- Review the biographies of prominent authors and their contributions to Arabic literature.
- Focus on understanding the historical and cultural context of the literary works studied.
- Practice translating key passages from Arabic to English and vice versa to improve comprehension.
- Prepare summaries of each module and unit, highlighting key concepts and themes.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ARA228 about?
This course introduces students to Arabic literature during the Abbasid period, focusing on prose. It explores the meaning, characteristics, and classification of Arabic prose, including orations, epistles, and stories. The course also examines the historical development of Arabic prose and analyzes the works of prominent figures such as al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz, and Abdul-Hamid al-Katib. Students will learn to appreciate the literary and cultural significance of Arabic prose.
How many units does ARA228 have?
ARA228, Arabic Literature in Abbasid Period, has 11 units across 4 modules, over 87 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ARA228?
ARA228 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Arts.
Is ARA228 hard?
ARA228 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does ARA228 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 11 units.
How is ARA228 assessed?
ARA228 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ARA228?
Translator, Arabic Teacher, Historian, Cultural Analyst and Diplomat.
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