Arab Culture I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course provides students with an overview of the core topics of the Arab culture from a historical, diachronic perspective, also with regard to the pre-colonial period and its effects on contemporary events. Students will get a grasp of the main geopolitical, cultural and historical features of the Arab world, from the 6th century up to the present day.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
- investigate, critically discuss and communicate the key aspects of Arab culture
- master the course contents independently and proficiently.
- investigate, critically discuss and communicate the key aspects of Arab culture
- master the course contents independently and proficiently.
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
The course is divided into three parts:
1 - Contemporary history and culture of the Middle East and North Africa:
This part illustrates the main historical and political events of the contemporary North Africa and Middle East from the colonization till the present days. In this context, the main trends of cultural production will be examined in relation with the socio-political changes, with a focus on literary genres, new media and popular culture.
2 - Conflicts in the Arab World(s):
This part will illustrate some key moments in the contemporary history of the Arab world(s) characterized by wars, conflicts and revolts/revolutions will be addressed. The focus will be on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the spread of radical-revolutionary ideologies such as pan-Arabism and political Islamism, and the Arab Springs.
3 - Novels as cultural memory:
This part will guide the students in reading some novels and other literary works by Palestinian writers with the aim of understanding their context and identifying their stylistic and thematic features. The reference to historical events will be identified in the texts and the role of literature as cultural memory will be discussed.
1 - Contemporary history and culture of the Middle East and North Africa:
This part illustrates the main historical and political events of the contemporary North Africa and Middle East from the colonization till the present days. In this context, the main trends of cultural production will be examined in relation with the socio-political changes, with a focus on literary genres, new media and popular culture.
2 - Conflicts in the Arab World(s):
This part will illustrate some key moments in the contemporary history of the Arab world(s) characterized by wars, conflicts and revolts/revolutions will be addressed. The focus will be on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the spread of radical-revolutionary ideologies such as pan-Arabism and political Islamism, and the Arab Springs.
3 - Novels as cultural memory:
This part will guide the students in reading some novels and other literary works by Palestinian writers with the aim of understanding their context and identifying their stylistic and thematic features. The reference to historical events will be identified in the texts and the role of literature as cultural memory will be discussed.
Prerequisites for admission
No special prerequisites are required.
Teaching methods
Lectures and group activities (on the books, video-documentary materials on some of the topics covered in the classroom, and/or literary works). Seminars with experts of the field.
The course's MyAriel page contains a blog updated weekly with the content of each lecture, bibliographical references and further readings.
The course's MyAriel page contains a blog updated weekly with the content of each lecture, bibliographical references and further readings.
Teaching Resources
1. G. Acconcia, G. Aiello, L. Menin, C. Roggero, Mondi arabi. Una guida essenziale, Bompiani, Milano 2024
2. M. Allegra, I palestinesi. Storia e identità di un popolo, Carocci, Roma 2010
3. Adania Shibli, Un dettaglio minore, traduzione di M. Ruocco, La Nave di Teseo, Milano 2021
4. Ibtisam Azem, Il libro della scomparsa, traduzione di B. Teresi, Hopefulmonster, Torino 2021
5. Materiale caricato su MyAriel
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Further readings:
AA.VV., Arabpop - rivista di arti e letterature arabe contemporanee, n.6 Palestina, Tamu, Napoli 2024
AA.VV., The Passenger Palestina, Iperborea, Milano 2023
F. Corrao - M. Ruocco (a cura di), Letteratura araba. Dalla nahda alle rivoluzioni e oltre. LeMonnier Università, 2024
A. Marzano, Questa terra è nostra da sempre. Israele e Palestina, Laterza, Bari-Roma 2024
A. Plebani, Jihadismo globale. Strategie del terrore tra Oriente e Occidente, Giunti, Firenze 2016
C. Roggero, Storia del Nord Africa indipendente. Tra imperialismi, nazionalismi e autoritarismi, Bompiani, Milano 2019
C. Vercelli, Storia del conflitto israelo-palestinese, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2021
2. M. Allegra, I palestinesi. Storia e identità di un popolo, Carocci, Roma 2010
3. Adania Shibli, Un dettaglio minore, traduzione di M. Ruocco, La Nave di Teseo, Milano 2021
4. Ibtisam Azem, Il libro della scomparsa, traduzione di B. Teresi, Hopefulmonster, Torino 2021
5. Materiale caricato su MyAriel
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Further readings:
AA.VV., Arabpop - rivista di arti e letterature arabe contemporanee, n.6 Palestina, Tamu, Napoli 2024
AA.VV., The Passenger Palestina, Iperborea, Milano 2023
F. Corrao - M. Ruocco (a cura di), Letteratura araba. Dalla nahda alle rivoluzioni e oltre. LeMonnier Università, 2024
A. Marzano, Questa terra è nostra da sempre. Israele e Palestina, Laterza, Bari-Roma 2024
A. Plebani, Jihadismo globale. Strategie del terrore tra Oriente e Occidente, Giunti, Firenze 2016
C. Roggero, Storia del Nord Africa indipendente. Tra imperialismi, nazionalismi e autoritarismi, Bompiani, Milano 2019
C. Vercelli, Storia del conflitto israelo-palestinese, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2021
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral interview in which students will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the topics and texts covered in the syllabus, and will be able to contextualize, comment on and discuss them in light of the analytical tools provided during the course. The student's active participation in the lectures and activities organized as part of the course will be taken into consideration. Part of the examination may consist of a questionnaire, as will be detailed in class.
This program is valid until February 2027.
This program is valid until February 2027.
L-OR/12 - ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Dozio Cristina
Professor(s)