Oriental Languages and Cultures

The course aims to illustrate, between old and new trends, the evolution of prose in Arabic production from the modern era (Nahdah) to the present day. The Arabic production of fiction - in the different meaning of novel and short story - represents a field of great literary experimentation whose results are now internationally recognized. Literary works belonging to different sub-genres (writing of the self, historical prose, memories, "fantastic" narratives, just to name a few examples) and coming from different geographical areas will be examined. The course aims to clarify the mixture between fact and fiction, the relationship between local elements and "imported" literary forms, the relationship between the "centers" and the "peripheries" in order to map the evolution of Arabic prose, with a reference to the most recent editorial dynamics (For example, what is the role of literary prizes?). The notion of historical "narrative", or certain forms of "realism" and "allegory" will be considered. The didactic program includes the reading and understanding of texts in Arabic: the reading of the texts will be supported by texts of literary criticism and by methodological indications in the approach to the texts.

Basic knowledge of the main characteristics of history of modern and contemporary Arabic literature. Appropriate knowledge (reading and comprehension) of Arabic language

- Camera d’Afflitto, Isabella (2010), Letteratura araba contemporanea. Dalla nahdah a oggi, Carocci, Roma. - Maria Avino, Isabella Camera d’Afflitto, Alma Salem (a cura di), 2015, Antologia della letteratura araba contemporanea. Dalla nahdah a oggi, Carocci, Roma. (The definitive list of the selected parts within the anthology will be given at the end of the course.) - Allen, Roger (2017). “The Arabic Novel and History”, in Waïl S. Hassan, The Oxford Handbook of Arabic Novelistic Traditions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 49-66. Further information and supplementary references - also for not attending students - will be given at the end of the lessons. The complete list of the anthological part (namely texts in Arabic, where reading and comprehension skills will be evaluated) will be given at the end of the lessons.

Frontal lessons. Reading and comprehension of extracts (including essays, press, fictional works of various kinds) signed by Arab authors. Power point presentations, listening and comprehension of audio-visual materials. The approach to the texts will be supported by sources of literary criticism and by methodological indications on "reading". Some lectures given by other scholars will be organized.

Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.

Oral exam about the topics presented during the lessons or available within the given bibliographical references. Evaluatiion criteria: a complete knowledge, a certain maturity in presentation, use of an appropriate language, capacity of connecting different authors and literary genres, references to comparative literature. Critical approach to the study of the Arabic literature. The use of Arabic language - by mentioning the specific items of the literary language, besides reading, comprehension and translation of texts in Arabic - is requested.

Frontal lessons. Reading and comprehension of extracts (including essays, press, fictional works of various kinds) signed by Arab authors. Power point presentations, listening and comprehension of audio-visual materials. The approach to the texts will be supported by sources of literary criticism and by methodological indications on "reading". Some lectures given by other scholars will be organized.

The course aims to illustrate, between old and new trends, the evolution of prose in Arabic production from the modern era (Nahdah) to the present day. The Arabic production of fiction - in the different meaning of novel and short story - represents a field of great literary experimentation whose results are now internationally recognized. Literary works belonging to different sub-genres (writing of the self, historical prose, memories, "fantastic" narratives, just to name a few examples) and coming from different geographical areas will be examined. The course aims to clarify the mixture between fact and fiction, the relationship between local elements and "imported" literary forms, the relationship between the "centers" and the "peripheries" in order to map the evolution of Arabic prose, with a reference to the most recent editorial dynamics (For example, what is the role of literary prizes?). The notion of historical "narrative", or certain forms of "realism" and "allegory" will be considered. The didactic program includes the reading and understanding of texts in Arabic: the reading of the texts will be supported by texts of literary criticism and by methodological indications in the approach to the texts.

Basic knowledge of the main characteristics of history of modern and contemporary Arabic literature. Appropriate knowledge (reading and comprehension) of Arabic language

- Camera d’Afflitto, Isabella (2010), Letteratura araba contemporanea. Dalla nahdah a oggi, Carocci, Roma. - Maria Avino, Isabella Camera d’Afflitto, Alma Salem (a cura di), 2015, Antologia della letteratura araba contemporanea. Dalla nahdah a oggi, Carocci, Roma. (The definitive list of the selected parts within the anthology will be given at the end of the course.) - Allen, Roger (2017). “The Arabic Novel and History”, in Waïl S. Hassan, The Oxford Handbook of Arabic Novelistic Traditions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 49-66. Further information and supplementary references - also for not attending students - will be given at the end of the lessons. The complete list of the anthological part (namely texts in Arabic, where reading and comprehension skills will be evaluated) will be given at the end of the lessons.

Frontal lessons. Reading and comprehension of extracts (including essays, press, fictional works of various kinds) signed by Arab authors. Power point presentations, listening and comprehension of audio-visual materials. The approach to the texts will be supported by sources of literary criticism and by methodological indications on "reading". Some lectures given by other scholars will be organized.

Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.

Oral exam about the topics presented during the lessons or available within the given bibliographical references. Evaluatiion criteria: a complete knowledge, a certain maturity in presentation, use of an appropriate language, capacity of connecting different authors and literary genres, references to comparative literature. Critical approach to the study of the Arabic literature. The use of Arabic language - by mentioning the specific items of the literary language, besides reading, comprehension and translation of texts in Arabic - is requested.

Frontal lessons. Reading and comprehension of extracts (including essays, press, fictional works of various kinds) signed by Arab authors. Power point presentations, listening and comprehension of audio-visual materials. The approach to the texts will be supported by sources of literary criticism and by methodological indications on "reading". Some lectures given by other scholars will be organized.