Module ARAM081 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
ARAM081: Advanced Arabic Language
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to develop your Arabic language proficiency to Master’s level in the following areas: reading, writing, grammar, translation, speaking and listening. You will be exposed to a variety of written materials, for example from business,
media, religion and politics, which you will read, analyse and translate under the guidance of your instructors. You will develop your ability to use complex syntactical and grammatical structures in written Arabic through regular practice and an extended essay in Arabic. Furthermore, you will develop your conversational skills through intensive use of Arabic both abroad where possible and in the classroom in Exeter and you will learn to intelligently present and debate topics in Arabic.
This intensive language study in combination with the work placement is intended to enhance your future employability as you will graduate with excellent knowledge and understanding of Arabic and with practical experience of working in an Arab country where possible.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate mastery of complex morphological and syntactical features of Arabic grammar; 2. Competently read, scan and listen to complex texts; 3. Accurately translate complex texts from Arabic to English and from English to Arabic; 4. Speak fluently in Arabic about a given topic. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. Effectively employ stylistic features of written and spoken Arabic; 6. Develop a personal profile and curriculum vitae for work in the Middle East that demonstrates skills in Middle East and Islamic Studies. |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. Demonstrate effective use of IT and time management skills; 8. Demonstrate well developed communicative skills in a foreign language including the development of intelligent argument; 9. Perform in a work environment in a manner in keeping with the expectations of the host organisation. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
One assignment per week - either a written exercise or oral presentation (during the study period in Exeter) | Written assignments: 500 words each; Oral presentations: 15 minutes each | 1-5, 7-8 | Written and verbal |
One work placement application in Arabic | One-page covering letter, completed application form and two-page CV | 6 | Oral feedback |
One work placement review in Arabic (including a brief statement from employer) | Two-page review | 6, 7, 9 | Oral feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
30 | 50 | 20 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Continuous assessment. 3x assessed assignments (1 written in class test 10%;, 1 oral presentation 10%;, 1 extended essay in Arabic 10%) | 30 | Written test: 90 minutes; Oral presentation 15 minutes; Extended essay in Arabic (1000 words) | 1-5, 7-8 | Written/verbal feedback |
Oral examination/interpreting | 10 | 15 minutes | 4, 5, 8 | Verbal feedback |
Presentation | 10 | 15 minutes | 4, 5, 8 | Verbal feedback |
Written examination | 50 | 3 hours | 1-3, 5, 7-8 | Written feedback |
0 | ||||
0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Continuous assessment | Assignment (1000 words) | 1-3, 5, 7-8 | August/September reassessment period |
Oral examination | Oral examination (15 minutes) | 4, 5, 8 | August/September reassessment period |
Presentation | Oral presentation (15 minutes) | 4, 5, 8 | August/September reassessment period |
Written examination | Written examination (3 hours) | 1-3, 5, 7-8 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Texts:
El Mustapha Lahlali, Advanced Media Arabic. Edinburgh University Press, 2016.
El Said Badawi, Mike Carter and Adrian Gully Modern Written Arabic: A Comprehensive Grammar.Taylor & Francis, London, 2013.
Nariman Naili Al-Warraki and Ahmed Taher Hassanein The Connectors in Modern Standard Arabic. The American University in Cairo Press, Cairo, 1994.
Alaa Elgibali and Nevenka Korica Media Arabic: A Coursebook for Reading Arabic News. The American University Press, Cairo 2007.
Raji M. Rammuny Advanced Standard Arabic. University of Michigan Press, Michigan, 1995. (Recommended)
Hans Wehr A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic. Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 1976