Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3103: Advanced Arabic Language

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to develop your Arabic to advanced level. It will develop your ability to use complex grammatical structures of Arabic through a wide range of written materials, e.g. media and cultural, and to hone your writing, speaking and listening skills. The module also aims to develop high-demand skills such as translation. Building on your existing knowledge, you will develop your ability to use complex Arabic in your writing, speaking and listening. The module will enhance your ability to tackle complex syntactical structures  through a wide range of written materials such as media, literature and religious texts. You will become familiar with a range of text registers in writing and translation. You will also learn how to present a topic for discussion and to engage in class debates. On completion of this module, your command of Arabic will be an asset in employment.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Extract a sense and specific details of authentic written texts at approximately C1 level of the CEFRL.
2. Extract a sense and specific details of authentic aural texts from these genres at CEFRL level C1.
3. Present a detailed argument written in Arabic in answer to essay questions on a range of topics at CEFRL level C1.
4. Verbally communicate competence in Arabic at CEFRL level C1.
5. Engage in an oral discussion of a range of topics in Arabic, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
6. Give an oral presentation in Arabic on a defined topic to a small group of listeners and engage in group discussion and debate of the topic presented at CEFRL level C1, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others.
7. Translate passages from a variety of authentic written sources from various genres (literary
8. Apply your detailed knowledge of a range of grammatical features of Arabic to a variety of linguistic tasks
Discipline-Specific Skills9. Consolidate your own learning by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process independently and with guidance from course tutors.
10. Recognise and understand core linguistic terminology individually and as part of a group
11. Use a bilingual dictionary to glean information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms
12. Engage, independently and under guidance, with Arabic media printed and online
Personal and Key Skills13. Working in groups at solving linguistic tasks at approximately C1 level of the CEFR
14. Consolidate time management strategies through skills of self-study .
15. Deploy cognitive and analytical skills ,
16. Deploy independent strategies to utilise the subject knowledge gained in previous levels to solve problems and develop practical skills.
17. Show a nuanced appreciation of the literatures and cultures of people who speak (and spoke) Arabic.

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 assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Weekly practical and written assignments Weekly practical and written assignments 1-17Written and verbal

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.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
305020

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Continuous assessment30 One 30 minutes listening assignment One Speaking assignment One 90 minutes written test Literature: One 1000-word essay in Arabic to be submitted in week 6 of term 2 1-12, 14-17Written and verbal feedback
Written Examination 503 hours 1,3,5,6,11,13Verbal feedback
Oral Examination 1015 minutes 2,6,11Written and verbal feedback
Listening Examination 1030 minutes3,6,11,12,13 Written and verbal feedback

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 assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Continuous AssessmentOral Assignment: video recording (5 minutes) Listening Assignment (Up to 30 minutes) Timed Written Assignment (400 words; 2 hours; 2,5,6,8,11,12,13,14August/September reassessment period
Written Examination Written examination (3 hours; 50%) 2,5,6,8,11,12,13,14August/September reassessment period.
Oral Examination Oral examination (15 minutes; 10%)2,6,11August/September reassessment period.
Listening Examination Listening Examination (30 minutes; 10%)3,6,11,12,13August/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.

Basic reading:

Authentic materials selected by course tutors

 

Supporting Materials:

 

El Mustapha Lahlali, Radia Kesseiri, Essential Skills in Arabic: From Intermediate to Advanced, Edinburgh University Press, 2018

 

Alaa Elgibali, Nevenka Korica, Media Arabic: A Coursebook for Reading Arabic News, The American University in Cairo Press, 2007.

 

Raji Ramunny, Advanced Standard Arabic, Michigan, 1995. (recommended)

 

Badawi, Carter, Gully. A Referenced Grammar of Modern Written Arabic, London, 2000.

 

Nariman Warraki, Ahmed Hassanein, The Connectors in MSA, Cairo, 1993.

 

Wehr, H, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 1979.