This course completes the framework of basic language skills, enabling students to analyze complex sentence structures. Particular emphasis is placed on Arabic sentence syntax, examined from a contrastive perspective with Italian syntax. By the end of the course, students will have achieved a sufficient level of autonomy in understanding both written and spoken Arabic. They will also be able to produce simple written texts in Standard Arabic.
The theoretical module consists of 30 hours of lectures.
The language practice sessions (lettorato), is conducted bynative-speaker language instructors and consist of 100 hours of lessons that include targeted exercises aimed at developing productive (writing and speaking) and receptive (reading and listening) language skills, as well as preparing students for the final exam.
Upon the completion of this module, participants will master the basic theory of Arabic and have fair communication and comprehension skills, as well as solid abilities of translation.
The course aims at deepening students’ knowledge of the morphology and syntax of standard literary Arabic. It also offers students the required competence to comprehend, analyse and translate oral and written authentic texts.
Upon completing this module, participants will be able to grasp the essential information in literary texts or newspaper articles written in Modern Standard Arabic. They will also achieve the ability to use the acquired vocabulary in the appropriate context, and to engage in simple conversations on a variety of topics.
Students will be fully acquainted with the use of root oriented dictionaries and will be able to translate any given text, making autonomous choices in the translation process.
As for communication skills, the training will enable participants to provide a short description of events and situations, and to engage in short familiar conversations in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA).
This course is designed for students who have had the equivalent of 60 hours instruction.
Those who enroll in this course are expected to know the Arabic writing, the basics of inflectional morphology and simple syntactic structures. Limited writing and reading skills are also required.
The duration of the course is 30 hours roughly distributed on 10 weeks time, 3 hours lessons per week.
Theoretical explanations on weak verbs morphology and complex structures will be provided together with practical exercises to verify and validate the acquired knowledge. Literary texts will be analysed and translated. A special focus will be given to practicing receptive and productive skills, enabling students to engage in oral production. Further translation tasks will help underpin the grammatical structures addressed in the class. Synopsis and handouts will be distributed along the course.
Lectureships will essentially focus on: verification of theoretical learning, vocabulary building in specific contexts and development of written and oral skills.
While class attendance is not compulsory, it is strongly recommended.
The examination programme also applies to non-attending students, who are advised to get in touch with the lecturers in order to plan out suitable study strategies for achieving the learning objectives.
Programme material:
Ricevimento: Reception (in-person or on-line) can be arranged according to the specific needs of the students. Please email to: marco.ammar@unige.it
MARCO AMMAR (President)
NASSER AHMED ISMAIL AHMED
Teaching for this module will take place in the first semester (2025/26). Classes will follow the schedule below:
THURSDAY 12 am-2 pm - AULA IV (Balbi 5)
FRIDAY 9-10 am - AULA G (Polo Didattico)
ARABIC LANGUAGE III
The final exam consists of a written and an oral test. Admittance to the oral test shall be granted on the condition of scoring a grade of 18/30 or higher in the written test.
The learning outcomes are verified and evaluated through a written and an oral exam. Students may be asked questions on any content covered during the course and included in the syllabus. Students attendance and their overall performance during classes shall be taken into account in the assessment.
Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.
