Faculty of Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language and Literature

Course Descriptions

ARAB 105 Arabic  Calligraphy (Cr. 1)
Students study the history of Arabic calligraphy and are introduced to all known types. The aim of this course is to enrich the students’ skill in Ruq'a handwriting. 

ARAB120 Arabic Language  (Cr. 3)
This course is a platform for equipping the students with the basic skills in the Arabic language through reading, listening and writing various types of literary texts. Essential linguistic issues are handled such as spelling rules, the use of dictionaries. Heard and read common mistakes are dealt with in depth. Each study unit includes texts of a variety of genres. These are left for the students to read, comprehend and appreciate. Students are expected to use these texts to practice the skills they learn in each unit.

ARAB121 Arabic Language  (Cr. 3)
This course is sequel to ARAB120. Students reinforce the skills they have gained in the previous course (ARAB120). They are given a variety of literary and scientific texts to read and criticize. They are assigned subject to express orally. They have to produce descriptive reports and have to write essays. Students also exercise listening to given topics and express the ideas in writing. Special attention is given to methods of academically sourcing their information using the APA style.
Prerequisite: ARAB120 

ARAB 142 Prosody (Cr. 3)
This course comprises a study of the science of prosody and its origin: the forms of Arabic poetry, rhyme and meters. A study will be made of prosody meters as formulated byAl-Khalil-Ibn Ahmad. The course involves a study of the music of modern Arabic poetry and the innovations introduced into it.
Prerequisite: Arab120, 121

ARAB211 Jahilite Literature (Cr. 3)
This course deals with the living style at the Jahiliyya times through Jahiliyya chosen texts. It uncovers the literary characteristics of the era. Hence the students learn the prime role of the Jahiliyya poetry, the major issues it dealt with, how it was read and written down, and how in given cases it was plagiarized. In this course the students are subjected to the subjects the Jahiliyya Poem dealt with as well as to its artistic forms. They analyse extracts of the Mu’allaqat, Lamiyyat al-‘Arab, as well as chosen extracts of the well-famed Obituaries. The students are also subjected to chosen narrative genres of the era.  
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121, 142 ARAB212

Islamic and Umawi Literature  (Cr. 3)
This course deals with the literary, both literature as well as narrative, works of Early Islam Era. It looks into the role of Islam in the general life style. It examines the effect the Qur’an and the Hadith had on the Arabic Language and its Literature. Students analyse the Islamic Poem of the Era. They analyse the human, temporal as well the spatial dimensions of the Ummayyad Era, the environment of its poetry. It examines the literary environment in Hijaz, Najd, Syria and Iraq. Students look into the idea of specialised poetry of those areas. It makes a general view of the literature, and the narrative works of the time. Students are made aware of the artistic genres of the Umawi Era and its more prominent men of letters and poets. They examine the artistic characteristics of the Era through reading chosen exemplary extracts.
Prerequisite: ARAB 211 ARAB 251

Applied Arabic Morphology (Cr. 3)
This course introduces students to the various aspects of Arabic morphology, Students study in this course Arabic grammar under the following headings: etymology, inflection and derivation, parts of speech, word formation, temporal structure of the verb, gender in nouns, division of the noun according to number, diminution and attribution, the relative adjective, pronouns, modes of the verb and conjugation. Application exercises will be included.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ARAB 252 Introduction to Grammar II (Cr. 3)
In this course students study Arabic grammar under the following headings: diptotes, declension of nouns, nominal sentences, verbal sentences, the subject and the predicate, the weak verbcomplements to the verbal sentence, requests, conditional sentences, the vocative, "exclamations" and oaths, the forms expressive of surprise or wonder, and practical applications of grammatic analysis.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120,121

ARAB 253 Introduction to Grammar III (Cr. 3)
Students study in this course the following subjects: a generalview of the verb and its forms, the voices, tenses of the verb, moods, numerals, particles, adverbs, complements, conditional and particles of meaning.
Prerequisite: ARAB 252

ARAB258 The Arab Library (Cr. 3)
This course deals with the major classic and contemporary books of the Arabic Language and Literature books. Students get to know the authors of these books, the methods used in writing them as well as their linguistic and literary roles in being considered invaluable bases for the sciences of the Arabic Language. The students are taught how to best benefit of these resources for both linguistic and literary research endeavours. Students following this course are required to produce reports and research-works pertaining to the issues learnt in this course. 

Arabic 291 Research in Arabic Language and Literature (Cr.3)
This course aims to introduce the students to the research methods in the Arabic Language and literature, it also aims to train them in the types and procedures of research and in the various style of documentation. 

ARAB 310 Syntactic Skills (Cr. 3)
This course is offered to students of other Departments. It comprises the study of the following subjects: language, its structure and methods of study. Students also study the science of linguistics, the characteristics of Arabic sounds, Arabic grammar as: parts of speech, structural patterns and construction of utterances.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121 ARAB 311

Abbasid Literature (Cr. 3)
This course involves the study of the development of the intellectual, economic and social fields in the Abbasid period through the study of poetry, focused on prominent poets such as Abu-Tammam, al-Buhturi, and Al-Mutanabiy. Varieties of prose, their development, and prominent prose writers such as Ibn-ul-Muqaffa', Al-Jahiz, and Badi' az-Zaman are also studied. Prerequisite: ARAB 212

ARAB 312 Andalusian Literature (Cr. 3)
This course deals with general features of cultural and literary life in various periods of Al-Andalus history to help students become acquainted with some  aspects of Andalusian literature. The course focuses on the following  Andalusian poets: 'Asim bin Zayd, Hasanah Tamymyah, Yahya al-Ghazal, Ahmed Abdrabu, Ibn Hani, al Qastali, Ibn Shuhayd, Ibn Zaydun, Ibn al-Khatib. Students also study arts in which the Andalusians excelled such as, al-Muwashshahat, az-Zajal, as well as the influence of Andalusian environment on poetry.
Prerequisite: ARAB 311

ARAB 313 Literature of Egypt and Syria (Cr. 3)
The focus of this course is the study of political, military, economic and scientific developments and intellectual trends during the Zenki, Ayyoubi and Mamluki periods. The following poets are studied: Ibn-ul-Qaisaraniyy, Usama-Ibn-Munqidh, Ib-as-Sa'atiyy, and al Busiyri. The course also includes works of various prose writers in this period as: al-Qadi al-Fadil, Ibn al-Sayrafi, Izzidine Bin as-Salam, as well as the influence of this period on Arabic literature.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ARAB 314 Modern Poetry (Cr. 3)
This course comprises the study of the renaissance of Arabic poetry in the 19th century, through specimens and development of various schools in modern Arabic poetry as: ad-Diwan, Apollo and al-Mahjar. The course includes a study of free verse poetry and its development. Extracts from poems of the most prominent poets are analyzed.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ARAB 315 Palestinian Literature (Cr. 3)
In this course students study the following subjects: characteristics of the literary renaissance in Palestine, traditional and modern trends in poetry, the national trend in Palestinian poetry. Texts by Abulkarim al-Karmi, Ibrahim Tuqan, and Mahmud Darwish are also examined. The short story, the novel prominent novelists and various trends in Palestinian prose literature are also studied. Prerequisite: ARAB 314

ARAB 316 Comparative Literature (Cr. 3)
This course comprises the study of the origin and research methods of comparative literature in the West and in the Arab World. Western influences on Arabic literature as: the novel, drama, poetry, literary criticism and literary schools are also studied. The delineation of national literatures and the French influence on Taha Husain are also studied.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ARAB 317 Popular Literature (Cr. 3)
This course familiarizes students with various genres of popular literature in Palestine and the Arab World. Special emphasis is placed on the myth, tale and lyrical poetry. Students study methods of research and analysis of popular Arabic and Western literature and the tools used in gathering, classifying and analyzing collected material.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ARAB 324 Oriental Languages (Cr. 3)
The course comprises the study of an Oriental language such as Hebrew Or Syriac in order to facilitate the comparison of Arabic with other languages.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ENGL 203 English Writing Skills I(Cr. 3)
This course aims to introduce prospective English majors to the processes of writing, namely pre-writing, writing and rewriting. Focus is placed on the characteristics of good essay writing. Students practice writing cause/effect, classification, and narrative essays. Readings are used as source materials for the writing activities
ARAB 331 Arabic Criticism (Cr. 3)
This course comprises the study of classical Arabic criticism under the following titles: the concept of literary criticism, Arabic criticism during the Jahilite, Islamic, Umayyad and Abbasid periods, the works of Ibn al-Mu'taz, Ibn Sallam, Qudamah, al-Amidiyy and al-Qadi-al-Jurjani, and literary criticism in the sixth and seventh centuries A.H. 
Prerequisite: ARAB 311

ARAB 332 Modern Criticism (Cr. 3)
Students study in this course modern criticism under the following headings: the nature of the criticism process, elements of literary work, origins of literary criticism, Greek criticism, methods and schools of literary criticism. The course also involves a study of the ten main characteristics of narrative and dramatic Arabic literature.
Prerequisite: ARAB 331

ARAB 333 Arabic Rhetoric (Cr. 3)
Students study the science of rhetoric, its origin and collection, technicalities and its various schools.

ARAB 334 Arabic Novel and Drama (Cr. 3)
This course aims at familiarizing students with dramatic and narrative art in modern Arabic literature by studying its historical development. Special emphasis is placed on the study of the origins of the narrative and dramatic artin Egypt, Syria and Iraq. Modern narrative and dramatic texts by Tawfiq al-Hakim, and Najib Mahfuz are critically studied.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120,121

ARAB 351 Studies in the Primary Sources of Arabic Syntax and Morphology (Cr. 3)
This course aims to introduce students to specific topics in Arabic syntax and morphology selected from the traditional primary sources of Arab grammar in order to familiarize them with their style and to help understand these texts.
Pre-requisite: ARAB 251 and 252ARAB 352

Grammatical Practice (Cr. 3)
In this course students practice grammatical structures as: the nominal sentence, subject and predicate, case forms, the verbal sentence, the verb and its modifications, subject, complements, participles and numbers. Students study texts to help them understand the syntax of the sentence.
Prerequisite: ARAB 251, 252

ARAB 353 Schools of Grammar (Cr. 3)
This course comprises the study of the grammar schools of Basra, Kufa, Baghdad, Egypt, al-Andalus, and their role in developing Arabic grammar. Detailed attention is paid to modern critical studies of Arabic grammar and efforts for its re-classification and simplification.
Prerequisite: ARAB 251, 252

ARAB 354  Modern Linguistics (Cr. 3)
Emphasis in this course is placed on the development of linguistics and its research methods under the following headings: language, phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics, Arabic sounds, intonation, the Arabic word, the syllable, stems, as well as transformational and generative grammar.
Prerequisite: ARAB 251, 252

ARAB 371 The Inimitability of the Qur’an and Prophetic Tradition  (Cr. 3)
This course aims to introduce students to the inimitability of the Qur’an and the Prophetic Tradition. This course also comprises a study of the Qur'anic sciences, Meccan and Medinite exegesis and their impact on Arabic literature, the kinds of al-Hadith, its sources and methods of transference and quotation in language and literature, and the influence of al-Hadith on literature and grammar. It focuses on an analysis of the stylistic features of certain texts from both sources.

ARAB 372 Islamic Philosophy (Cr. 3)
This course focuses on the most prominent philosophies introduced into Arab Muslim society. Emphasis will be placed on the conflict of their ideologies with Arab Muslim civilization. The course also concentrates on the study of the most prominent Muslim philosophers. Selected extracts from their works, particularly those of al-Kindiy, Avicenne, al-Farabiy, Averroes and al-Ghazali are studied.

Prerequisite: ARAB 120,121ARAB 389 Senior Seminar (Cr. 1)
The course aims to give senior students the chance to do original research on a topic in Arabic language and literature under the supervision of an instructor from the Department. Students will give an oral presentation of their research to their colleagues and teachers followed by a discussion of the main results.

ARAB 399 Topics in language and Literature (Cr.3)
This course aims to give senior students the possibility to do individual research on a topic in Arabic language and literature under the supervision of an instructor with weekly meetings. Students registered in this course must sign an agreement with the chairperson of the department and get an approval from the Academic Vice President.

JMCO 131 Introduction to Journalism  (Cr. 3)
The student in this course studies the following subjects: mass media types, significance, functions, professional, political and social roles, different types of newspapers and journalistic writing, structure, personnel and administration of newspaper, work ethics and legal implications of journalistic work.

JMCO 132 News Writing (Cr. 3)
The student studies the basic writing and editing techniques of news and journalist resources, types and coverage. The student also studies writing, editing of headlines and pictures. Students produce their own newspapers as part of the practical training for the course. 

JMCO 231 Report Reporting  (Cr. 3)
The student studies the basic writing and editing techniques of different news reports. The student also studies types and principles of news investigation, analysis and editing. Students produce their own newspapers as part of the practical training for the course. 

JMCO 232 News Article and Interview (Cr. 3)
The student studies the concepts, editing principles and types of news article (editorial, column, varied, analytical, review). Students also study the types, classifications, objectives, significance and editing principles of newspaper interviews.

JMCO 300 Introduction to Broadcast Journalism  (Cr. 3)
The student studies in this course the concept, role, and significance of broadcast journalism compared to other mass media. The student also studies the skills of broadcast journalism ( news bulletin writing, broadcast reports and programs, interviews, varieties, editing and montage. Students produce radio programs and radio news bulletins as practice.

JMCO 320 Photography and Image (Cr. 3)
The student studies in this course the concept, significance, types  and function of photography and image in journalism. They study shooting and how it is distinct from other photographs and images.

JMCO 321 Media Technologies (Cr. 3)
Students study in this course modern technologies in mass media production. Students study Premiere and Photoshop programs. They study television shooting techniques for movies and documentaries. Students produce  documentaries  and  television reports as training using modern technologies. 

JMCO 331 Palestinian Journalism (Cr. 3)
Students study in this course the history of written Palestinian Arabic Journalism since the Oatham era until the Palestinian national authority. Students also study the audio and visual history of the Palestinian journalism and especially under the control of the Palestinian authority. Students also compare between different media types and its roles in the national news policy.
 
JMCO 332 Editing and Design  (Cr. 3)
Students study in this course the concept, types, functions, methods and skills of news design. Students design their own newspapers as part of the practical training for the course. 

JMCO 333 Media Skills (Cr. 3)
Students study in this course the skills, types, significance and functions of public relations. Students also study the concept of public opinion and skills of measuring it. They also study advertising types, designs and techniques. Students design their own newspapers as part of the practical training for the course.
Prerequisite: JMCO 231ARAB 252

Introduction to Grammar and Syntax (Cr. 3)
In this course students, study the theoretical syntactic system of the Arabic language starting from  practice grammatical structures as: parsing, agents, inflected and uninflected  patterns whether audible or analogous, nominal sentence, topic and comment, Kana and its sisters, Inna and its sisters, verbal sentence and its accusatives and numbers. Students study texts to help them understand the syntax of the sentence. There will also be an application of theory into practice. It is recommended to use “Shuthur Al Thahab” by  Ibn Hisham Al an Sari.
Prerequisite: ARAB 120, 121

ARAB 321 Principles of Translation  (Cr. 3)
This course introduces the students to the general principles of translation and its close relationship with both Arabic and English cultures.  It introduces them to simplified Arabic structures for translation. Then, students proceed from simple concepts and structures to more advanced complex work. They are trained on the skills of transliteration and Arabized terminology.
Prerequisite ARAB 120,121 and ENGL 121

ARAB 322 Journalistic Translation (Cr. 3)
This course is an introduction to the principles of journalistic translation from English to Arabic and vice versa. Students receive training on translating a wide range of subjects and styles. There will be focus on translating articles from various branches of knowledge representing a variety of styles in order to acquaint the student with requisite vocabulary and terminology. Prerequisite ARAB 321 and  ARAB 120 ,121

ARAB 323 Literary Translation  (Cr. 3)
This course comprises translation of selected texts of modern and classical Arabic literature, including extracts from the works of major Arab geographers and historians. Selected works of famous English writers will be translated into Arabic.
Prerequisite: ARAB 322, ARAB 321ARAB 325

Technical Translation (Cr. 3)
This course aims at training students on different cultural, formal and economic texts by highlighting the problems facing translators and the appropriate means and techniques to solve them. Students will be trained on translating passages relating to forms, applications, bulletins, brochures, instructions, certificates and others. Training in this course also includes use of computer software to design brochures.
Prerequisite ARAB 321

ARAB231 Translation of Commercial Correspondence  (Cr. 3)
This course concentrates on office written communication skills in translation. Students are trained on writing and translating different commercial correspondence, inter office memos, reports,  minutes and other forms of correspondence. They are also trained on skills of translating visual, detailed and brief letters. They are also trained on translating the curriculum vitae in both languages.
Prerequisite ARAB 321

ARAB 326 Editing and Revision  (Cr. 3)
This course is designed to help students avoid common mistakes in Arabic and English when translating texts. It trains students on the skills of revision, editing and layout of translated texts, including titles, introductions, footnotes and appendixes. The end product must fulfill the technical criteria and standards  of the original text.
Prerequisite:  ARAB 321ARAB 327

Legal Translation  (Cr. 3)
This course aims at providing students with adequate training on translating legal texts and highlighting main problems encountered by students and ways of tackling them. This highly specialized course is of a great significance at present due to high demand on legal translation. Students will also be trained on translating texts related to governmental transactions, Sharia courts and civil courts.  
Prerequisite:  ARAB 321 

ARAB 328 Advanced Translation (Cr. 3)
This course intends to develop translation skills acquired earlier. Emphasis is placed on structural systems and lexical coverage inherent in both languages, focusing on more difficult English and Arabic classical texts. Attention is given to the translation of poetry, religious texts and culture. 
Prerequisite: ARAB 321

ARAB 329 introduction to Simultaneous Interpretation  (Cr. 3)
This course is intended to train and develop students’ competence in simultaneous interpretation. It also trains them  on the techniques of both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. It is based on practical work. Students are expected to interpret speeches and lectures on a variety of subjects.
Prerequisite: ARAB 321,322,323

HEBR 101 Conversational Hebrew I (Cr. 3)
This is an introductory course with practice in the basic language skills needed for everyday communication. Emphasis will be placed on the skills of listening, speaking and reading.

HEBR 102 Conversational Hebrew II (Cr. 3)
This is a continuation of practice in basic language skills with appropriately increasing difficulty. This course will involve a contrastive study of Arabic and Hebrew phonological, morphological and syntactic structures.
Prerequisite: HEBT 101 HEBR 103

Intermediate Hebrew  (Cr. 3)
The aim of the course is to reinforce former learning (grammar, basic structures, and vocabulary), and to improve reading and writing skills. Emphasis will be placed on oral communication in Hebrew and reading advanced materials. Selections from Hebrew literary texts, as well as from newspapers, will be used.
Prerequisite: HEBR 102 

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