Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module MEIS2012: INTERMEDIATE WRITTEN ARABIC

Department: GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES)

MEIS2012: INTERMEDIATE WRITTEN ARABIC

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to T621
Tied to T622
Tied to T6L1
Tied to T6L2
Tied to T6T9
Tied to TL69

Prerequisites

  • Elementary Arabic 1 (MEIS1012) AND Elementary Arabic 2 (MEIS1022) OR Arabic at an equivalent level.

Corequisites

  • Intermediate Oral and Aural Arabic.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop the basic language skills acquired in Year 1 and the year abroad.
  • The module also aims to develop students' abilities to translate from Arabic to English and from English to Arabic, and to precis Arabic material in both English and Arabic.
  • In these areas in particular, the module combines academic with practical concerns.

Content

  • Much of the core language teaching is organised around topics using 'Standard Arabic: an Advanced Course' by James Dickins and Janet Watson.
  • The topics have been chosen from a variety of sources (eg literature, academic writing, newspaper, news broadcasts, documentaries) for their interest and general importance.
  • The materials are designed to inform students about aspects of the Arab world.
  • From a pure language point of view the materials also allow students to tackle vocabulary and structure learning in a coherent and concentrated manner.
  • The course book has an accompanying tape with a variety of related aural exercises.
  • The middle-year academic and literary texts, English-Arabic translation and essay writing, classes deal with texts which relate to topics from Part One of the 'Advanced Arabic Course'.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
      Key Skills:

        Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

        • .

        Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

        Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
        Lectures (Classes) 110 Five per week 1 hour 110
        Other (Language classes) 88 Four per week 1 hour 88
        Preparation and Reading 202
        Total 400

        Summative Assessment

        Component: Examination Component Weighting: 80%
        Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
        one three-hour written examination 100%
        Component: Class Test Component Weighting: 20%
        Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
        4 assessed class tests / assessed translations of 1 hour each at intervals throughout the year 100%

        Formative Assessment:

        10 assessed class tests/translation and other language assignments during the year.

        ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University