Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Introduction to Arabic Language and Culture
Module Code	LC532
School	SALIS
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module will provide students with a grounding in the Arabic language (written and spoken) and a thorough understanding of the multifaceted and dynamic nature of Arabic culture.

Learning Outcomes

1. Use the Arabic language in a variety of communicative settings (conversational/social/business)
2. Read basic texts in the Arabic language
3. Write basic texts in the Arabic language
4. Demonstrate their acquired Arabic linguistic skills (both written, oral and aural)
5. Extract coherent information from the Arabic media, television, radio, filmic industries
6. Translate their acquired linguisitic skills and knowledge into interculturally competent actions
7. Act in a culturally competent manner when applying their acquired knowledge
8. Critically reflect on their acquired knowledge
9. Display a systematic understanding of traditional and contemporary Arabic values, including an awareness of the varied perspectives which define the Arabic world
10. Interact more confidently and competently when visiting Arabic-speaking regions or dealing with Arabic-related investigations
11. Recognise the influence and impact of Arabic culture, including values, language and cultural artifacts, in the non-Arabic world
12. Apply and integrate their knowledge of Arabic language and culture in instances where this is relevant to their own research

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Seminars	24	Basic introduction to Arabic language is essential to allow for cultural competency. Materials used in class will consist of language-related, cultural, political and literary texts (written and audiovisual). Students will be expected and encouraged to take responsibility for their individual and group-work activities and critically reflect on their personal learning
Directed learning	50	No Description
Independent learning	100	No Description
Library	76	No Description
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Course structure.
Each seminar will be comprised of 50 % language practice and 50% culture-related activities. Each linguistic/cutural topic will be introduced with a lecture giving the necessary context. Introduction to the Arabic language, both spoken and written will be developed through lectures, texts, exercises, online work, group work, and the use of varied audiovisual supports. Materials used in class will consist of language-related, cultural, political and literary texts (written and audiovisual). Students will be expected and encouraged to take responsibility for their individual and group-work activities and critically reflect on their personal learning..

Language class 1 + Introduction to the Arabic identity and value system.
Language class 2 + Variances within the Arab World.

Language class 3 + Comparison with Western cultural values/ greetings / cultural interactions.
Language class 4 + Introduction to Arabic Business cultures.

Language class 5 + Understanding the media.
Language class 6 + Understanding gender relations.

Language class 7 + Belief systems in the Arab world.
Language class 8 + Understanding political structures.

Language class 9 Exploration of the influence and expression of Arabic values and philosophies in Arabic societies (historically and currently)..
Language class 10 + Artistic and cultural representations of the Arab World.

Language class 11 +Relations between Arabic and Western societies in the 21st century.
Implications of the above for intercultural understanding between Arabic countries and other countries..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Oral presentations	n/a	50%	n/a
Report (s) (written / oral)	n/a	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Elgibali, A. and Korica, N: 2008, Media Arabic: A Coursebook for Reading Arabic News., American University in Cairo Press,
Kendall, E.: 2005, The Top 1,000 Words for Understanding Media Arabic, Georgetown University Press,
Shirwani, H.: 2005, Build your Arabic Vocabulary: 1,000 Key Words to Move Beyond Beginner Arabic (Book + CD + Flashcards), McGraw-Hill,
Wightwick, J. and Gaafar, M.: 2011, Mastering Arabic 1. Activity Book, Palgrave MacMillan,
Wightwick, J. and Gaafar, M.: 2007, Arabic Verbs & Essentials of Grammar., McGraw-Hill,
Adonis, Darwish, M. and al-Qasim: 2006, Victims of a Map: A Bilingual Anthology of Arabic Poetry, Saqi Books,
Doris Behrens-Abouseif, D.: 1999, Beauty in Arabic Culture (Princeton Series on the Middle East)., Markus Wiener Publishers,
Halim Barakat, H.: 1993, The Arab World: Society, Culture, and State, University of California Press,
Husni, R. and Newman, D.L. (eds).: 2008, Modern Arabic Short Stories: A Bilingual Reader, Saqi Books,
Patai, R.: 2002, The Arab Mind (revised edition), Hatherleigh Press,