Arab Culture I
A.Y. 2025/2026
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
Representing Conflict
Through various types of primary sources (literary, historical, journalistic, and artistic), we will explore ways of representing conflict in Arab culture. The concept of conflict will be approached not only as referring to specific historical events but also as a broad semantic field, interpreted differently in Arab cultural production throughout time. Recurring concepts will be analyzed in their respective contexts, supported by secondary literature on case studies.
Through various types of primary sources (literary, historical, journalistic, and artistic), we will explore ways of representing conflict in Arab culture. The concept of conflict will be approached not only as referring to specific historical events but also as a broad semantic field, interpreted differently in Arab cultural production throughout time. Recurring concepts will be analyzed in their respective contexts, supported by secondary literature on case studies.
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
The course will include lectures by invited speakers.
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/user/view.php?id=32870&course=8410&showallcourses=1
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/user/view.php?id=32870&course=8410&showallcourses=1
Teaching Resources
1- Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba, Mondadori 2024. La Nahḍa e gli sviluppi della letteratura araba fino al 1948 (Parte I e capp. 17-22).
2- Susan Abulhawa, Ogni mattina a Jenin, Feltrinelli (qualsiasi edizione)
3- Nagib Mahfuz. Tra i due palazzi, a cura di Clelia Sarnelli, Crocetti, 2024.
OR
1- Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba, Mondadori 2024. La letteratura araba tra il 1948 e il 1991 (Parte II e capp. 23-27).
2- Yasmina Khadra. Quel che il giorno deve alla notte, Mondadori 2009
3- Elias Khouri. Facce bianche, a cura di Elisabetta Bartuli, Mondadori 2007.
OR
1- Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba, Mondadori 2024. La letteratura araba dagli anni Novanta al nuovo millennio; dal nuovo millennio alle rivoluzioni (Parte III e IV e capp. 28-32)
2- Oriana Capezio et al. (a cura di). In guerra non mi cercate. Poesia araba delle rivoluzioni e oltre, Mondadori 2018.
3- Sahar Khalifa. Una primavera di fuoco, a cura di Francesca Lazzarato, Giunti 2008.
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.
2- Susan Abulhawa, Ogni mattina a Jenin, Feltrinelli (qualsiasi edizione)
3- Nagib Mahfuz. Tra i due palazzi, a cura di Clelia Sarnelli, Crocetti, 2024.
OR
1- Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba, Mondadori 2024. La letteratura araba tra il 1948 e il 1991 (Parte II e capp. 23-27).
2- Yasmina Khadra. Quel che il giorno deve alla notte, Mondadori 2009
3- Elias Khouri. Facce bianche, a cura di Elisabetta Bartuli, Mondadori 2007.
OR
1- Ruocco, Monica (a cura di). Letteratura araba, Mondadori 2024. La letteratura araba dagli anni Novanta al nuovo millennio; dal nuovo millennio alle rivoluzioni (Parte III e IV e capp. 28-32)
2- Oriana Capezio et al. (a cura di). In guerra non mi cercate. Poesia araba delle rivoluzioni e oltre, Mondadori 2018.
3- Sahar Khalifa. Una primavera di fuoco, a cura di Francesca Lazzarato, Giunti 2008.
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 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 who have attended the course regularly will have the opportunity to give a presentation in class which replaces the oral exam.
L-OR/12 - ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Osti Letizia
Professor(s)