CULTURAL NARRATIVES AND DYNAMICS (ARABIC)

Applying an interdisciplinary approach, the course aims at developing the knowledge of narratives produced in the contemporary Arab world in the fields of literature, cinema and journalism. The course is therefore one of carachterising courses of the Master's degree course in Languages and Civilisations of Asia and North Africa.

Students will be able to:
- understand, analise and translate texts of contemporary Arabic fiction;
- implement the comparative analysis between texts of Arabic fiction and the respective cinematographic adaptations;
- understand and translate Arabic articles concerning cultural issues.

Arabic Language proficiency corresponding to B1 level of the CEFR.
Knowledge of the history of Arabic literature. Students who have not attended any course related to this subject may read one of the following books:

Allen, Roger. An Introduction to Arabic Literature. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Toelle, Heidi; Zakharia, Katia. A la découverte de la littérature arabe. Du VIe siècle à nos jours. Paris, Flammarion, 2014.

Intertextuality e intermediality.
Narratology.
Translation.
Contemporary narrative prose and cinema of the Arab world, with special attention to Egypt and Palestine.
Cinematic adaptations.

al-Busati, Muhammad, Layàl ukhra, 2000.
Camera d'Afflitto, Isabella, La letteratura araba contemporanea dalla nahdah a oggi, Roma, Carocci, 2007.
al-Husayni, Ishaq Musa, Muḏakkirāt daǧāǧa, Cairo, Dar al-Ma'àrif, 1943.
Idris, Yusuf, Hammàl al-karàsi, in Bayt min Lahm, Cairo, Maktabat Misr, 1972.
Kanafani, Ghassan, Rijàl fi-l-shams, 1963.
Id. 'A'id ila Hayfa, 1968.
Khalìfa, Sahar, Rabì' harr, 2004.
Mahfuz, Nagib, al-Qàhira al-jadìda, 1945.
Id, Hikayàt hàritinà, 1975.
Nicosia, Aldo, Il romanzo arabo al cinema. Microcosmi egiziani e palestinesi, Roma Carocci, 2014.
Zanelli, Patrizia, "“Una favola in forma di diario: l’originalità di Muḏakkirāt daǧāǧa (1943) dello scrittore palestinese Iṣhāq Mūsā al-Ḥusaynī”, Quaderni di Studi Arabi, Vol. 17 (2022): Issue 1-2 (Dec. 2022), pp, 299-317.
Ead., “Il tempo e il cambiamento nei racconti della raccolta al-Fağr al-kāḏib di Nağīb Maḥfūẓ”, La rivista di Arablit, Anno II, n. 3, Roma, IPO, 2012, pp. 11-22.

Suggested readings:
Chatman, Seymour. Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film, Ithaca(NY), Cornell University Press, 1980.
Genette, Gérard. Figures III. Paris, Soleil, 1972.
Id. Palimpsestes. La Littérature au second degré, Paris, Soleil, 1982.

Written and oral examination.
Written test consists of :
- vocalising a brief Arabic text and translating it into Italian ;
- translating a brief text from Italian into vocalised Arabic.
Oral test consists of :
- answering to questions on topics dealt with during the course (mainly reading and translating one or more passages of texts already addressed);
- conversation in Arabic.

written and oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The exam consists of a written test and an oral exam: the average of the points obtained in the two tests produces the total grade.

17 FAIL

18-20 PASS
Limited comprehension of notions, limited skill of exposition and reflection, no critical capacity

21-23 SATISFACTORY
Sufficient comprehension of notions presented in an unclear and reflexive manner; difficulties in elaborating, and synthesizing ideas

24-26 GOOD
Good comprehension of notions but limited capacity of exposition, reflection, and synthesis

27-28 VERY GOOD

In-depth comprehension of notions that are presented in a clear and articulated manner; remarkable synthesizing capacity and critical reflection

29-30 VERY GOOD
Broad and in-depth comprehension of notions that are presented in an articulated and sophisticated manner. Excellent ability in exposing ideas synthetically, and critical ability

30 CUM LAUDE EXCELLENT
Broad and in-depth comprehension of notions showing an advanced knowledge of broader disciplinary and interdisciplinary debates, a mastery of academic language, and a capacity for original and critical thinking

Lectures. Interdisciplinary method. PowerPoint presentations. Textual and film analysis.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development