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ARA428Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Africa in Medieval Arabic Writing

This course, Africa in Medieval Arabic Writing, is a two-unit course available in the First Semester of the 400 Level B.A. Arabic and Literature Degree programme. It showcases works of Afro-Arabic writers and trends in the Medieval period. It also exposes students to their intellectual and literary achievements during the era. The course provides ample information on the innovation brought into the field by the Arabs as well as how African Arabic Writers came to be connected with the Arabian peninsular and with their counterparts in Spain.

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60h
Study Time
13
Weeks
5h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Afro-Arabic writersMedieval periodArabic literatureAfrican scholarsLiterary heritage

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

Medieval Arabic Literature

2

Afro-Arab Writers

3

Al-Usurul-Iwustah

4

Arabic Literary Heritage

5

Scholarly Contributions

6

Cultural Exchange

7

History of Algeria and Morocco

8

Islamic Sciences

9

Arabic Poetry and Prose

Total Topics9 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

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Arabic Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Historian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Heritage Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Archivist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Librarian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationCultural HeritageTranslation ServicesResearchDiplomacy

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to the Africa in Medieval Arabic Writing

2h

Unit 1: Introduction to the Africa in Medieval Arabic Writing

2 study hours
  • •Define the term Usurul-lwustah.
  • •Explain the diversity of Arab life during the period.
  • •Examine the life of Arab under the Roman Empire.
  • •Discuss the historical period of the Middle Ages among writers.
  • •Explain the origin of the name and the historical periods.
  • •Describe how the Roman Empire existed and the reasons that led to the existence of new societies.
Week
2

Module 2: Geographical and Social Elements of Algeria

2h

Unit 2: Geographical Location of Algeria

2 study hours
  • •Describe the geographical location of Algeria.
  • •Identify the social elements of Algeria.
  • •Explain the foundations of Algeria's livelihood.
  • •Outline the cultural development of Algeria.
  • •Discuss Algeria's location in North Africa between Tunisia and Morocco.
  • •Describe the mountains and plains that extend from east to west.
  • •Explain the climate and vegetation in Algeria.
Week
3

Module 3: Geographical and Social Elements of Morocco

2h

Unit 3: Geographical Location of Morocco

2 study hours
  • •Describe the geographical location of Morocco.
  • •Identify the regions of Morocco.
  • •Explain the foundations of Morocco's livelihood.
  • •Outline the social conditions of the people of Morocco.
  • •Discuss Morocco's location in relation to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
  • •Describe the mountain ranges and plains in Morocco.
  • •Explain the climate and natural resources in Morocco.
Week
4

Module 4: The Scientific Movement

2h

Unit 4: Scientific Movement in the Arab Maghreb

2 study hours
  • •Describe the scientific movement in the Arab Maghreb.
  • •Explain the efforts of the conquerors who spread Islam and the teachers.
  • •Discuss the role of science: schools - mosques - schools - corners - libraries.
  • •Outline the role of the Almoravids and Almohads in spreading Islamic sciences.
  • •Discuss the role of mosques and libraries in spreading knowledge.
  • •Explain the contributions of scholars in various fields of Islamic sciences.
Week
5

Module 5: Growth of the Scientific Movement

2h

Unit 5: Growth of the Scientific Movement

2 study hours
  • •Describe the growth of the scientific movement in the Maghreb countries.
  • •Identify the most prominent figures of this achievement.
  • •Explain the various arts in which the Moroccans excelled at that time.
  • •Discuss the scientific progress in the Maghreb countries.
  • •Explain the contributions of scholars in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.
  • •Identify the most important scientific achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
6

Module 6: Devotion to Arab Heritage and Cultures

2h

Unit 6: Devotion to Arab Heritage and Cultures

2 study hours
  • •Describe the height that the Maghreb countries reached in their devotion to Arab heritage and cultures.
  • •Explain the sciences of language, grammar, prosody, rhetoric, and criticism.
  • •Discuss the characteristics of the scientists who devoted everything to raising its edifice.
  • •Outline the development of linguistic and rhetorical sciences.
  • •Explain the contributions of scholars in language, grammar, and rhetoric.
  • •Identify the most important linguistic and rhetorical achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
7

Module 7: Contributions to Islamic Sciences

2h

Unit 7: Contributions to Islamic Sciences

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the tremendous service provided by the Moroccans to the sciences of readings, interpretation, hadith, jurisprudence, and speech.
  • •Explain how they arose and flourished during their historical periods.
  • •Outline the development of Islamic sciences.
  • •Explain the contributions of scholars in readings, interpretation, hadith, jurisprudence, and speech.
  • •Identify the most important Islamic scientific achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
8

Module 8: Moroccan Historians in Africa

2h

Unit 8: Moroccan Historians in Africa

2 study hours
  • •Describe what the Moroccan historians in Africa presented about the news of countries and their princes.
  • •Mention the most important of their writings according to the periods.
  • •Explain the approach produced by each author, and its directions.
  • •Discuss the historical writings of Moroccan historians.
  • •Explain the historical methods used by Moroccan historians.
  • •Identify the most important historical achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
9

Module 9: Activity of Poetry and Poets in the Maghreb

2h

Unit 9: Activity of Poetry and Poets in the Maghreb

2 study hours
  • •Describe the activity of poetry and poets in the Maghreb countries.
  • •Explain the stages that Arabic poetry went through in the Maghreb.
  • •Discuss the stages of simplicity, imitation, and then creativity.
  • •Outline the development of Arabic poetry in the Maghreb.
  • •Explain the contributions of poets in various genres of poetry.
  • •Identify the most important poetic achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
10

Module 10: Traditional Poetic Purposes

2h

Unit 10: Traditional Poetic Purposes

2 study hours
  • •Identify the most important traditional poetic purposes.
  • •Explain the most prominent pioneers.
  • •Present some examples of their poetry.
  • •Discuss the traditional poetic themes in the Maghreb.
  • •Explain the contributions of poets in various genres of poetry.
  • •Identify the most important poetic achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
11

Module 11: Prose and Writing

2h

Unit 11: Prose and Writing of Sermons and Exhortation

2 study hours
  • •Describe the prose and writing of sermons and sermons.
  • •Explain the giants of the speakers of this phase and the pride of their sermons, which are considered a sign of the extent of their eloquence.
  • •Discuss the prose and rhetoric in the Maghreb.
  • •Explain the contributions of orators and preachers.
  • •Identify the most important rhetorical achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
12

Module 12: Diwani Messages

2h

Unit 12: Diwani Messages

2 study hours
  • •Describe the flourishing of Diwani messages.
  • •Explain the position of its writers with princes and rulers.
  • •Present models of good messages.
  • •Discuss the Diwani messages in the Maghreb.
  • •Explain the contributions of writers of Diwani messages.
  • •Identify the most important Diwani message achievements of the Maghreb.
Week
13

Module 13: Travels and Prominent Figures, and Al-Yaqut

4h

Unit 13: Travels and Prominent Figures

2 study hours
  • •Describe the historical eyes of travelers in this era.
  • •Explain their unique experiences as stated in their narrated and written news.
  • •Discuss their immortal adventures.
  • •Outline the most prominent travelers.
  • •Explain the contributions of travelers.
  • •Identify the most important travel achievements of the Maghreb.

Unit 14: Al-Yaqut

2 study hours
  • •Discuss his origins.
  • •Explain his poetry.
  • •Describe his authorship of books.
  • •Explain his authorship of the Dictionary of Countries.
  • •Discuss his other writings.
  • •Explain his death.

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

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of major Afro-Arabic writers and their works from Units 1-5.

2

Compare and contrast the writing styles of Ibn Batuta, Al-Bakri, and al-Yaqut (Units 2-4).

3

Practice analyzing excerpts from medieval Arabic texts, focusing on literary devices (Units 6-9).

4

Develop essay outlines on key themes such as cultural exchange and scholarly contributions (Units 10-12).

5

Review biographical notes on literary writers and their contributions to Arabic civilization (Units 13-15).

6

Focus on understanding the historical context and influences on Afro-Arabic literature.

7

Make flashcards for key terms and concepts related to medieval Arabic writing.

8

Join online forums or study groups to discuss challenging topics and share insights.

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