Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description



CODE ARB1024

 
TITLE Basic Notions of Arabic

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures

 
DESCRIPTION The Arab world is a diverse geographical and cultural region spanning two continents, yet is united by a shared historical, cultural, and linguistic fabric. This introductory unit highlights Arabic culture through an analysis of several key concepts related to specific topics, including language, literature, history and politics. This study-unit integrates general notions of Arabic within various cultural aspects. The Arabic alphabet will be covered and used in the explanation of basic terminology related to language, literature, culture, civilization and politics. When approaching each of these themes, some basic notions of Arabic grammar will be covered through the use of authentic texts.

Study-unit Aims:

1. To teach the Arabic writing system;
2. To expose students to basic notions of Arabic;
3. To introduce students to basic Arabic terminology related to language, literature, culture, civilization and politics;
4. To introduce students to some of the complex dynamics in the Arab region, by focusing on basic notions related to specific fields of inquiry;
5. To encourage students to interpret the Arabic culture through its social context;
6. To familiarise students with the geographical landscape of the Arab world.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. recognise basic words in Arabic;
2. discuss the diglossic situation in the Arab world;
3. get insight into some aspects of Arab culture and civilization.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. master the Arabic script;
2. discuss some aspects of the socio-political complexity of the Arab world;
3. develop cultural competence to critically understand the diversity of the Arab world;
4. independently access updated information about the region.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

- Hitti, Philip K. History of the Arabs. Macmillan International Higher Education, 2002.
- Hourani, Albert. A History of the Arab Peoples. Faber and Faber, 2013.
- Wightwick, Jane, and Mahmoud Gaafar. Mastering Arabic Script: A Guide to Handwriting. Macmillan International Higher Education, 2005.

Supplementary Readings:

- Goldschmidt, Arthur. A Concise History of the Middle East. Westview Press, 1999.
- Kennedy, Hughes. The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphs. Longman, 2004.
- Lewis, Bernard. The Arabs in History. Hutchinson University, 2002.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Amy Marie Abela

 

 
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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.


https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/studyunit/index.php