Module ARA3103 for 2022/3
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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 Skills | 9. 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 Skills | 13. 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. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Reading: You will be introduced to different types of authentic texts; including literary, practical and journalistic.
- Writing: You will be introduced to different styles of writing. You will learn how to present a topic, a discussion and a conclusion.
- Translation: You will be using the translation skills you acquired in 3rd year to translate advanced texts from Arabic into English and vice versa.
- Listening and Speaking: Here you will enhance your listening and speaking capabilities by listening to and discussing topical issues.
- Literature: You will be exposed to different types of classical and modern Arabic writings to deepen your knowledge of Arab culture
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 176 | 124 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 176 | Mixed and interactive class activities (eight hours per week), spread to target the development of reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening skills, together with knowledge of various genres of Arabic (e.g. media, literature) |
| Guided Independent Study | 124 | Weekly homework assignments: Translation: 22 hours reading & writing: 22 hours literature: 22 hours speaking: 22 hours; media listening: 36 hours |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly practical and written assignments | Weekly practical and written assignments | 1-17 | Written 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.
| 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 | 30 | 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, 14-17 | Written and verbal feedback |
| Written Examination | 50 | 3 hours | 1,3,5,6,11,13 | Verbal feedback |
| Oral Examination | 10 | 15 minutes | 2,6,11 | Written and verbal feedback |
| Listening Examination | 10 | 30 minutes | 3,6,11,12,13 | 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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | Oral Assignment: video recording (5 minutes) Listening Assignment (Up to 30 minutes) Timed Written Assignment (400 words; 2 hours; | 2,5,6,8,11,12,13,14 | August/September reassessment period |
| Written Examination | Written examination (3 hours; 50%) | 2,5,6,8,11,12,13,14 | August/September reassessment period. |
| Oral Examination | Oral examination (15 minutes; 10%) | 2,6,11 | August/September reassessment period. |
| Listening Examination | Listening Examination (30 minutes; 10%) | 3,6,11,12,13 | 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.
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.
