Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module ARAB3012: ARABIC LANGUAGE 4B

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Arabic)

ARAB3012: ARABIC LANGUAGE 4B

Type Open Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Arabic Language 2B (ARAB2002) or an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ARAB2021); Persian I (ARAB2041)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Arabic Language 4B following Year Abroad (ARAB3022); Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ARAB2021).

Aims

  • to consolidate the students' knowledge of the grammar and syntax of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) acquired in Arabic 1B and Arabic 2B, and during the placement abroad, with the aim of bringing their knowledge of the language to Advanced level
  • to develop fluency in the reading of texts on a wider range of subject matter in MSA and to further consolidate translation skills both into and from Arabic
  • to develop further at an Advanced level the student’s ability in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking
  • to equip the student with the range of linguistic skills required to use the language in further postgraduate work or in employment.

Content

  • The module continues the syllabus used in Arabic 1B and Arabic 2B and builds on the linguistic experience gained during the placement abroad
  • The main textbook used is ‘Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-Arabiyya’ Part 3, supplemented as necessary by additional materials, including English-Arabic translation exercises, and media taped materials (e.g. news broadcasts).

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • by the end of the module, the student should have acquired a sound knowledge of most features of the grammar and syntax of MSA,
  • have developed his/her vocabulary to the point where he/she is able to cope without undue difficulty with extended texts in MSA on an increasing range of topics
Subject-specific Skills:
  • The student should be able to:
  • translate fairly complex pieces of prose texts into and out of Arabic;
  • write straightforward narratives and descriptions on a wide range of topics, and handle social and non-technical business correspondence in Arabic;
  • read and understand extended prose texts on a wide range of topics;
  • comprehend the main ideas and most details of connected discourse in MSA;
  • discuss topics of current and personal interest and handle most situations of daily life in MSA
Key Skills:
  • The student will have:
  • enhanced presentational and interpersonal communication skills;
  • the ability to use language creatively for a wider range of purposes
  • an enhanced experience of language learning techniques, enabling students to further their study of Arabic on their own initiative; enhanced techniques for using target-language source materials

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

  • language classes enable the grammar and syntax of MSA to be explained in an interactive environment;
  • language exercises enable the student to develop fluency and confidence in the language;
  • regular class tests and homework ensure that progress can be carefully monitored over the year;
  • tutorials provide an opportunity for practicing oral and aural language skills and for the correction of errors;
  • end-of-module examinations provide a measure of the level achieved over the year as a whole.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lecture 63 4 per week 1 hour 63
Oral Classes 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Language Lab 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Student preparation and reading time, summative coursework, general background reading, revision for written examinations, etc 295
Total SLAT hours 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 3 hours 100% No
Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral Examination 15 minutes 100% No
Component: Aural Examination Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Aural Examination 1 hour 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given regular class tests and written homework exercises


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