| CODE | ARB1142 | ||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to the Abbasid Period | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Oriental Studies | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a text-based study-unit covering classical Arabic literary works produced during the Abbasid period (mid-8th century onwards). The study-unit is constructed around key texts selected from various genres of classical Arabic literature; eastern and western poetry and prose, including the production of the grammars, lexicons, biographical dictionaries, literary criticism and adab anthologies. The selected texts discussed in this study-unit are in English. The focus is on the main issues relevant to an understanding of classical Arabic literature and its development, such as the changes in the role of poetry, the development of storytelling and the influence of religious and philosophical thinking on Abbasid literature. The topics covered in this study-unit will be determined by the lecturer in accordance with pedagogic strategies and needs of the Department. The lectures for this study-unit will be held over a period of 5 weeks. Study-unit Aims 1. to acquaint students with classical Arabic literary writings of the early Abbasid period; 2. to familiarize students with the history and development of early Abbasid literature, its sources, and the culture it represents. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. be acquainted with early Abbasid literature; 2. have enough insight into the history and development of Abbasid literature, its sources, and the culture. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. strengthen his/her knowledge about the socio-cultural background which led to the development of early Abbasid literature; 2. distinguish between different classical Arabic literary genres. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Pre-Islamic Poetry: Beeston, A.F.L., Johnstone, J.M., Serjeant, R.M. and Smith, G.R. 1983. Arabic Literature and the End of the Umayyad Period. Cambridge: C.U.P. Gibb, H.A.R. 1963. Arabic Literature: An Introduction. London: O.U.P. Labid Ibn Rabiah. The Golden Ode, transl. W.R. Polk, Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, 1974. Nicholson, R.A. 1969. A Literary History of the Arabs. Cambridge: C.U.P. Sells, M.A. Desert Tracings. Six Classic Arabian Odes by ‘Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, ‘Antara, Al-A’sha, and Dhu al-Rumma, Connecticut: Wesleyan University Press, 1989. Classical Arabic Literature: Ashtiany, Julia, et alii (Eds.). ‘Abbasid Belles-Lettres, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Beeston, A.F.L., Johnstone, J.M., Serjeant, R.M. and Smith, G.R. Arabic Literature and the End of the Umayyad Period, Cambridge: C.U.P., 1983. Gibb, H.A.R. Arabic Literature: An Introduction, London: O.U.P., 1963. Lichtenstadter, Ilse. Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature, New York, Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1974. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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