Arab Culture I
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course aims to enhance students' ability to understand, discuss and analyse critically key topics in contemporary Arab culture seen in their own historical and socio-political context.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to analyse and discuss critically the topics treated during the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Modernity
Through primary sources of various types (literary, historical, journalistic, artistic), the thematic node of modernity will be investigated not only as a specific historical moment but also as a broad semantic field declined in different ways in Arab cultural production throughout the centuries. Recurring concepts will be analyzed in their respective contexts with the help of secondary literature on specific cases. This analytical framework will be applied to different themes (literary and artistic movements, cross-pollinations with different cultures, etc.).
Through primary sources of various types (literary, historical, journalistic, artistic), the thematic node of modernity will be investigated not only as a specific historical moment but also as a broad semantic field declined in different ways in Arab cultural production throughout the centuries. Recurring concepts will be analyzed in their respective contexts with the help of secondary literature on specific cases. This analytical framework will be applied to different themes (literary and artistic movements, cross-pollinations with different cultures, etc.).
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the following is assumed:
- outline of the history of the Arab world from the 6th century to the present day;
- key concepts of Islam;
- socio-political context of the contemporary Arab world.
Students admitted to the degree who realize they do not have the required preparation are advised to study the contents of the following textbooks:
- Allen, Roger (2000). An Introdution to Arabic Literature. Cambridge University Press.
- Aydin, C. (2017). The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History, Harvard University Press.
- Hillenbrand, Carole (2005). Islam. A New Historical Introduction, Thames and Hudson.
- outline of the history of the Arab world from the 6th century to the present day;
- key concepts of Islam;
- socio-political context of the contemporary Arab world.
Students admitted to the degree who realize they do not have the required preparation are advised to study the contents of the following textbooks:
- Allen, Roger (2000). An Introdution to Arabic Literature. Cambridge University Press.
- Aydin, C. (2017). The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History, Harvard University Press.
- Hillenbrand, Carole (2005). Islam. A New Historical Introduction, Thames and Hudson.
Teaching methods
Conferences and seminars are scheduled with invited speakers related to the course topic.
Part of the course will be taught interactively: students will be required to read texts ahead of class and to hold short presentations.
The MyAriel website for the course contains a Course Blog, detailing the contents and activities for each class as well as additional references.
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4251
Part of the course will be taught interactively: students will be required to read texts ahead of class and to hold short presentations.
The MyAriel website for the course contains a Course Blog, detailing the contents and activities for each class as well as additional references.
https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4251
Teaching Resources
Casini, Lorenzo et al. Modernità arabe: nazione, narrazione e nuovi soggetti nel romanzo egiziano, Mesogea, 2012 (in biblioteca).
Ḥaqqī, Yaḥyā. Qindīl Umm Hāšim: La candela di Umm Hāšim, a cura di Rosa Pennisi, Edizioni Ca' Foscari, 2022. Scaricabile in open access:
https://edizionicafoscari.it/en/edizioni4/libri/978-88-6969-599-5/#
Ḥusayn, Ṭāhā. Adīb. Storia di un letterato, a cura di M.E. Paniconi, Edizioni Ca' Foscari, 2017 . Scaricabile in open access:
https://edizionicafoscari.it/en/edizioni4/libri/978-88-6969-178-2/
Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba. Dalla Nahḍa alle rivoluzioni e oltre, Mondadori 2024, Parte I (capp. 17-22).
Students may request to prepare alternative texts and topics within the general theme of the course. These have to be approved by the professor well in advance of the exam. Students must regularly consult the blog on the course's website.
Ḥaqqī, Yaḥyā. Qindīl Umm Hāšim: La candela di Umm Hāšim, a cura di Rosa Pennisi, Edizioni Ca' Foscari, 2022. Scaricabile in open access:
https://edizionicafoscari.it/en/edizioni4/libri/978-88-6969-599-5/#
Ḥusayn, Ṭāhā. Adīb. Storia di un letterato, a cura di M.E. Paniconi, Edizioni Ca' Foscari, 2017 . Scaricabile in open access:
https://edizionicafoscari.it/en/edizioni4/libri/978-88-6969-178-2/
Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba. Dalla Nahḍa alle rivoluzioni e oltre, Mondadori 2024, Parte I (capp. 17-22).
Students may request to prepare alternative texts and topics within the general theme of the course. These have to be approved by the professor well in advance of the exam. Students must regularly consult the blog on the course's website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an interview in which students will have to demonstrate their knowledge of the course topics and set texts, and the abilitiy to contextualize, comment and discuss them in the light of the analytical tools provided during the course. The student's active participation in class and activities organized within the course will be taken into consideration. During the second semestre, students will have the possibility to give a presentation which will replace the oral exam.
L-OR/12 - ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Osti Letizia
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Osti LetiziaProfessor(s)