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ARA229Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Arabic Rhetoric I (Bayan)

This course introduces students to Arabic rhetoric, focusing on the origins, evolution, and key concepts of *balāgha*. It explores the contributions of early Arabic rhetoricians and examines the concepts of *fasāhah* and *balāgha* (clarity and eloquence). The course also covers *bayān* and *uslūb*, elements of *bayān*, simile (*tashbīh*), metaphor (*isti'ārah*), veridical (*haqīqah*) and allegorical (*majāz*) expressions, and metonymy (*kināyah*).

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78h
Study Time
13
Weeks
6h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Arabic RhetoricBalāghaBayānTashbīhIst'ārah

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Origins and Evolution of Balāgha

2

Early Arabic Rhetoricians

3

Fasāhah and Balāgha

4

Bayān and Uslūb

5

Elements of Bayān

6

Tashbīh (Simile)

7

Isti'ārah (Metaphor)

8

Haqīqah and Majāz

9

Al-Majāz al-mursal (Hypallage)

10

Kināyah (Metonymy)

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Arabic Language Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Content Creator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Translation ServicesEducationMedia and JournalismDiplomacyCultural Heritage

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 1: Origins and Evolution of *Balāgha*

2 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to understand the significance of language and rhetoric.
  • •Define rhetoric and *balāgha*.
  • •Trace the historical origin of *balāgha*.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 2: Contribution of early Arabic Rhetoricians

2 study hours
  • •Identify and study the contributions of Ibn Al-Mu'tazz, Qudāmah B. Ja'Far, and Abu Hilāl Al-'Askari.
  • •Analyze their works and understand their impact on *balāgha* studies.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 3: *Fasāhah* & *Balāgha* (Clarity & Eloquence)

2 study hours
  • •Define and explain the concepts of *fasāhah* and *balāgha*.
  • •Study the conditions for a word to be *fasih* and *baligh*.
  • •Identify if a word is *fasih* or not.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 4: *Bayān* and *Uslūb*

2 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of *bayān*.
  • •Know the different divisions of *uslūb* in Arabic rhetoric.
  • •Analyze examples of each division.
Week
5

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 5: Elements of *Bayān*

2 study hours
  • •Understand the different elements of rhetoric.
  • •Give examples of each element, such as simile, metaphor, climax, irony, and synecdoche.
Week
6

Module 2: Simile and Allegory

2h

Unit 1: Uses and Components of *Tashbīh* (simile)

2 study hours
  • •Understand the objectives of using *tashbīh*.
  • •Know the components of *tashbīh*.
  • •Analyze examples of *tashbīh* in Arabic literature.
Week
7

Module 2: Simile and Allegory

2h

Unit 2: Types of *Tashbīh* (simile)

2 study hours
  • •Understand and identify the various kinds of *tashbīh* with appropriate examples.
  • •Differentiate between *tashbīh mursal*, *mu'akkad*, and *balīgh*.
Week
8

Module 2: Simile and Allegory

2h

Unit 3: *Haqīqah* and *Majāz* (Veridical and Allegorical)

2 study hours
  • •Explain the words *haqīqah* and *majāz*.
  • •Give examples of each, differentiating between literal and figurative usage.
Week
9

Module 2: Simile and Allegory

2h

Unit 4: Classes of *Majāz* (allegory)

2 study hours
  • •Explain the types of *majāz*.
  • •Give examples of the two types of *majāz*: *majāz 'aqlī* and *majāz lughawī*.
Week
10

Module 2: Simile and Allegory

2h

Unit 5: Components of *Isti'ārah*

2 study hours
  • •Explain the components of *isti'ārah*.
  • •Explain the divisions of *isti'ārah*: *asliyyah* and *taba'iyyah*.
Week
11

Module 3: Metonymy and Hypallage

4h

Unit 1: Categories of *Isti'ārah*

2 study hours
  • •Explain the different categories of *isti'ārah*.
  • •Understand the concept of complicated metaphor.
  • •Give examples of the different categories of *isti'ārah*: *mutlaqah*, *murashshhah*, and *mujarradah*.

Unit 2: *Al-Majāz al-mursal* (hypallage)

2 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of *al-majāz l-mursal* and its links.
  • •Understand the differences between mental (cognitive) figure and linguistic figure.
Week
12

Module 3: Metonymy and Hypallage

4h

Unit 3: *Kināyah* (metonymy)

2 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of *kināyah*.
  • •Know the classification of *kināyah*: *kināyah l-sifah*, *kināyah l-mawsuf*, and *kināyah l-nisbah*.

Unit 4: *Kināyat 'l- nisbah* (metonymy of affinity)

2 study hours
  • •Understand *kināyah 'l-nisbah*.
  • •Use deeper stylistic expressions through this model.
Week
13

Module 3: Metonymy and Hypallage

4h

Final Revision

4 study hours
  • •Revise all units.
  • •Work on Tutor Marked Assignments.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a glossary of key Arabic rhetorical terms and their definitions.

2

Practice identifying different figures of speech (simile, metaphor, metonymy) in sample Arabic texts.

3

Review the historical development of Arabic rhetoric and the contributions of major figures.

4

Focus on understanding the relationships between literal and figurative meanings in *al-majāz l-mursal* and *isti'ārah*.

5

Analyze past exam papers to identify common question types and topics.

6

Form study groups to discuss and clarify complex concepts.

7

Pay close attention to the examples provided in the course materials and try to find additional examples from Arabic literature.

8

Practice applying the principles of Arabic rhetoric to the interpretation of Quranic verses and other religious texts.

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