| CODE | ARB1032 | ||||||
| TITLE | Arabic Literature: The pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad Periods | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This is a text-based study-unit covering classical Arabic literary works produced during the pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad period (6th century– mid-8th century). The study-unit is constructed around key texts selected from various genres of classical Arabic literature, including pre-Islamic poetry (al-mu‘allaqāt), early Islamic historiography, the Qur’ān, the hadīt, the sīra, rhetoric: religious sermons, speeches, correspondence, Umayyad hijā’ poetry, literary criticism, grammar (an-nahw) and linguistics. The selected texts discussed in this study-unit are in English. The focus is on the main issues relevant to an understanding of pre-Islamic and Umayyad literature and its development, such as the great importance accorded to poetry, the development of literature in the light of the emergence of Islam, and the influence of religion and philosophy on pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature. The topics covered in this study-unit will be determined by the lecturer in accordance with pedagogic strategies and needs of the Department. Study-unit Aims: 1. To acquaint students with classical Arabic literary writings of the pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad period; 2. To enable students to critically discuss various themes, forms and techniques attested in pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature; 3. To familiarize students with the history and development of pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature, its sources, and the culture is represents. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will: 1. be acquainted with pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature; 2. have enough insight into the history and development of pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature, its sources, and the culture. 3. be able to appreciate pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad Arabic literary texts in translation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. critically discuss themes, forms and techniques attested in pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature; 2. strengthen his/her knowledge about the socio-cultural background which led to the development of pre-Islamic, Islamic and Umayyad literature; 3. distinguish between different classical Arabic literary genres; 4. apply the literary skills learned in this study-unit to other study-units related to Arabic literature. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: (availability at the Library or otherwise is indicated against each entry) - Allen, Roger. 1998 The Arabic Literary Heritage, Cambridge University Press (Department of Oriental Studies collection) - Lyons, M.C. 1999 Identification and Identity in Classical Arabic Poetry, (on order) Pre-Islamic Poetry: - 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. - Labid Ibn Rabiah. The Golden Ode, transl. W.R. Polk, Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, 1974. - Nicholson, R.A. A Literary History of the Arabs, Cambridge: C.U.P., 1969. - Montgomery, J.E. 1997 The Vagaries of the Qasidah: The tradition and practice of early Arabic poetry, Gibb Memorial Trust, (Department of Oriental Studies collection) - Reynolds, D. 1995 Heroic Poets, Poetic Heroes: The ethnography of performance in an Arabic oral epic tradition, Ithaca (Department of Oriental Studies collection) - Sells, M.A. 1989 Desert Tracings. Six Classic Arabian Odes by ‘Alqama, Shanfara, Labid, ‘Antara, Al-A’sha and Dhu al-Rumma, Connecticut: Wesleyan University Press, 1989. (Department of Oriental Studies collection) - 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: - 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. - Beeston, A.F.L., et alii. 1983 Arabic Literature and the End of the Umayyad Period, Cambridge History of Arabic Literature, Vol. I., Cambridge. (University Library) - 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. - Nicholson, R.A. A Literary History of the Arabs, Cambridge: C.U.P., 1969. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Nadia Lanzon |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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