Department Of Modern Languages At University Of Ghana
ARAB 101 Introduction to Arabic Studies
The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of Modern Standard Arabic, intended to
develop oral and aural proficiency, and mastery of the Arabic alphabet for rudimentary reading
and writing so as to build the foundational grammar for simple sentence structure. Visual aids will
be used to facilitate the development of reading and writing skills. Students will also acquire a fair
understanding of the Arabs and their culture from the classical to the modern period.
ARAB 102 Oral Communication Skills
This course builds upon the rudiments of Modern Standard Arabic learnt in ARAB 101, with
examination of components of various Arabic simple sentence structures. A progressive
acquisition of vocabulary continues through reading and writing drills. The course will further
develop student’s ability to communicate in Modern Standard Arabic at the elementary level. Oral
expression will be practiced through simulations of everyday expressions and very basic phrases
so that the student can interact in a simple way.
ARAB 103 Elementary Arabic Grammar I
The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of Modern Standard Arabic: orthography,
basic grammar and syntax and vocabulary acquisition. It develops student’s fundamental working
knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic within the context of basic Arabic Syntax and
Morphology. Students will learn to read and write simple texts and answer questions on them.
Emphasis is generally on the basic nominal sentence.
ARAB 104 Elementary Arabic Grammar II
The course further introduces the rudiments of Modern Standard Arabic, with emphasis on word
order and the verbal sentence. A progressive acquisition of vocabulary continues. The course will
continue to build student’s working knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic by examining further
the essentials of basic Arabic Syntax and Morphology. More functional elements of the Arabic
grammar will be taught. Emphasis will still be on the nominal sentence.
ARAB 201 Arabic Grammar and Translation I
The course consolidates and sustains students’ acquired skills in reading and writing standard
Arabic and introduces more syntactic structures by analysing short focused texts. Students will be
introduced to contextualized and authentic grammar exercises with the purpose of integrating
grammar concepts in their writing and oral expression. The course will also deal with the
translation of simple sentences. The aim is to enhance the understanding of Arabic sentence types,
their components, functions and characteristics, through grammar and translation exercises.
ARAB 202 Arabic Grammar and Translation II
The course provides further studies in syntactic structures, with readings in a variety of texts.
More complex grammatical concepts relevant to students’ level will be introduced. Contextualized
grammar exercises will be provided to students in order to enhance their reading and writing
skills. The translation part focuses on simple texts, thereby providing students with a greater
understanding of sentences in Modern Standard Arabic through grammatical analyses and
translation exercises.
ARAB 203 Orals and Composition I
This course is intended to develop students’ communication skill through group and individual
conversations generated by issues arising from texts read in class or from viewing or listening to
audio-visual materials of simple standard Arabic dealing with simple cultural situations. The aim
is to provide students with relevant skills in order to be able to communicate in simple and routine
tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
ARAB 204 Orals and Composition II
This is a continuation of ARAB 203 and is to further develop students’ ability in oral and written
communication. The course is intended to help students to increase their speaking skill and to
communicate proficiently through interactive practice in daily communicative situations. It also
aims at providing students skills to be able to produce simple connected topics that are familiar or
of personal interest. In addition, the course will focus on developing student’s basic writing skills
through the use of various writing forms.
ARAB 205 Arabic History and Civilization
This is a survey course based on textual sources from ancient Arabic literature, philosophy,
scripture, designed to introduce the major aspects of Arabic and Islamic cultures from the classical
to the modern period. The impact of external influences on their social and cultural life will be
examined, beginning from Turkish Ottoman Empire through the invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte
to the current era of globalisation.
ARAB 206 Introduction to Arabic Literature
This course aims at providing students with an informative backround about Arabic literature. It
involves a critical examination of the key forms of Arabic literature, and a survey of different
genres (i.e. poetry, short story, novel, etc.) with a particular focus on themes addressing social,
economic, and cultural life of the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Selected
representative texts of different genres will be examined
ARAB 301 Intermediate Arabic Usage I
This course is an introduction to the grammatical rules of the Arabic language set by traditional
Arab grammarians. The aim is to enhance the understanding of Arabic sentence types, their
components, functions and characteristics, through grammar and translation exercises. It also aims
at providing students required skills to be able to understand the main points of clear standard
input on familiar matters regularly encountered in school, leisure, etc.
ARAB 302 Intermediate Arabic Usage II
This is a further study of the syntactic structures of Arabic sentences, with new sentence elements
and parts of speech, thereby providing students with a greater understanding of sentences in
Modern Standard Arabic through grammatical analytical exercises. The course will focus on
various aspects of grammar, such as advanced usage of pronouns, adjectives, etc. Students can
understand the main ideas of complex text on familiar matters by the use of various grammatical
tools and contextualized grammar exercises.
ARAB 303 Comprehension and Oral Expression I
This course involves practical interactive communication exercises aimed at developing student’s
abilities in oral and written expressions, with emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and
comprehension skills. The course deals with various topics in varied events and contexts involving
interactive dialogues, discussions, debates, official meetings, essay writing and presentation.
Students will be able to talk on an issue relevant to them through oral presentations and
simulations.
ARAB 304 Comprehension and Oral Expression II
This course involves further practical interactive communication exercises aimed at developing
student’s abilities in oral and written expressions. The course deals with various topics in varied
events and contexts involving interactive dialogues, discussions, debates, official meetings, essay
writing and presentation. Texts in this course are more complicated. Students will be able to
explain a viewpoint on a topical issue through oral presentations and simulations.
ARAB 305 Translation Exercises & Aspects of Arabic Structure
This course is an introduction of translation exercise from English to Arabic with special attention
on structure of Arabic sentences. Both nominal and verbal Arabic sentences together with their
relevant grammatical concepts will be introduced. Students will be equipped with the ability to
translate texts of simple and complex structure. This is to help student acquire higher level of
proficiency in Arabic.
ARAB 306 Translation Exercises
This course is a continuation of ARAB 305. The course further introduces students to advanced
translation excercises. Students are engaged in series of translation exercises dealing with more
complex sentence structures with special emphasis on some key aspects of Arabic Grammar.
Students are exposed to a wide range of topics in order to enhance their acquisition of Arabic
vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
ARAB 307 Special Topics I
This course involves the treatment of specific topics in various academic fields and other areas of
special interest to the teaching faculty/course instructor. It aims at catering for any undesigned
course that may needto be taught with the availability of a new/visiting member of staff but is not
catered for in the syllabus. This is intended, therefore, to provide for ad hoc future demands.
ARAB 308 Special Topics II
This course involves the treatment of specific topics in various academic fields and other areas of
special interest to the teaching faculty/course instructor. It aims at catering for any undesigned
course that may need to be taught with the availability of a new/visiting member of staff but is not
catered for in the syllabus. This is intended, therefore, to provide for ad hoc future demands.
ARAB 309 Readings in Hadith Literature
This course aims at studying the textual history of the Hadith genre and its relation to the Koran
with respect to language, themes and artistic features. Various classifications of the Hadith will be
introduced. Students will be exposed to various methodological approaches of analysing the text,
with a brief survey of the process of collection and compilation of major classifications of Hadith
books.
ARAB 310 Language Immersion I
This is an intensive three-credit long-vacation study in an Arabic speaking country or at home. It
is intended to give students the opportunity to experience and practice the Arabic language and its
culture and to acquire the socio-linguistic usage of the language. Students may also undertake this
language immersion course at the University of Ghana during the long vacation between Levels
200 and 300.
ARAB 311 Classical Arabic Literature in Translation
The course is a survey of classical Arabic literature in translation. It is designed to introduce
students to the Classical Arabic literary tradition through readings of major works with assigned
texts in English translation. At least, three representative works will be studied. The course
introduces students to genres and themes of classical Arabic literature. Taught in English.
ARAB 312 Modern Arabic Short Story in Translation
This is a study of the historical development of the Arabic short story involving the discussion of
literary theories, forms, themes and styles. Translated literary works of prominent Arab writers
would be examined. Students are exposed to representative selections of modern Arabic short
story as a reflection of Arab societies. Taught in English.
ARAB 313 Modern Arabic Literature
This is an introduction to Modern Arabic Literature through an overview of the evolution of the
various genres: poetry, short story, novel and drama. Literary works of prominent 19th century
Arab writers will be examined, with special focus on thematic analyses and evaluation of artistic
values. Students will be exposed to literature from different Arab countries.
ARAB 314 Readings in Quranic Literature
This course deals with the evaluation of the language, form and style of the Qur’an for its literary
worth. A number of suras will be chosen for detailed study and analysis. The course exposes
students to different texts (Meccan vs. Medinan) of the Qur’an. Students will be provided with the
rich understanding of the Qur’an as not only a religious book but also a piece of literary work.
ARAB 315 Moslem Intellectual History
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the major contributions of Muslim scholars to
the development of Arab and world civilisations throughout history. Contributions in the fields of
linguistics, philosophy, mathematics, medicine, geography, history and the sciences will be
treated. Persons from different geographical areas will be considered.
ARAB 316 Aspects of Abbasid Poetry
The course aims at covering some major aspects of poetry during the Abbasid era from 750 AD to
the fall of their dynasty in 1258. Factors affecting the thematic and stylistic modifications of
poetry will be examined. Some selected Abbasid poets and their works will be analyzed. This will
include poets like Abuu Nawas, Abul cAlaa, Al-Mutanabbi, Abuu Tammam, etc.
ARAB 317 Media Arabic I
The course exposes students to the vocabulary and styles of the Arabic media, both print and
electronic media. The course develops student’s ability to listen as well as read varrying news
content in the Arab world.Various Arab mass media topics such as politics, social and cultural
issues are covered. Students develop strategies for listening and reading skills. Students will be
introduced to Arabic news sources, such as BBC Arabic, Aljazeera, etc.
ARAB 318 Media Arabic II
This is a continuation of ARAB 317. The course further exposes students to the vocabulary and
styles of the Arabic media, both print and electronic media. Specialized areas such as economics,
business and weather reporting are introduced at this stage. Students are introduced to a range of
news media in Arabic-speaking countries, including magazines and other sources like Aljazeera
and BBC. Drills and training are provided in order to expand student’s comprehension of
specialized vocabulary.
ARAB 319 Contemporary Arab World
Students will be acquainted with the historical background of the modern Middle East and North
Africa. Issues such as nationalism and the emergence of the Arab states; the discovery of oil and
its implications for the Arab world; the Israeli-Palestinian/Arab conflict; Arab politics and society
as well as Arab-African relations will also be studied.
ARAB 400 Long Essay
This is a research paper on a topic of the student’s choice, undertaken under a lecturer’s consent
and supervision in partial fulfillment of an undergraduate programme. It may normally be on a
subject of academic, literary, or linguistic relevance. This course is compulsory for all Single
Major students. Students willing to do graduate course in Arabic are advised to take this course
ARAB 401 Advanced Arabic Proficiency I
This course aims to build on students’ previous knowledge of Arabic to help them acquire
advanced syntactical and morphological features of Modern Standard Arabic grammar for use in
listening comprehension, Reading, Structure, Writing, and Speaking. Students acquire
competencies to help them synthesize and analyze authentic materials. They will become familiar
to a range of materials, including cultural, academic and social texts that will help them acquire
competency in Arabic.
DMLA 401 Research Methods
This course takes students through the practical steps necessary for carrying out and independent
research work on Foreign Languages and Literatures. It will cover types of research methods,
research processes, including the selection of a topic, data collection, abstracts, introductions,
conclusions, review of literature, bibliography compilation etc. Students are required to submit
independent research projects at the end of the course.
This is a required course for students in the Department of Modern Languages who have not taken
a Research Methods course in another Department.
ARAB 402 Advanced Arabic Proficiency II
This course is a continuation of ARAB 401. It aims to consolidate Arabic grammatical structures
learned in ARAB 401. More advanced reading materials as well as complex linguistic features;
syntactic and morphological are introduced at this level. The course aims at helping students
develop their overall Arabic proficiency through the reading and analyzing of advanced linguistic,
political and cultural materials. Students will be exposed to a variety of Arab cultures in order to
enhance their overview of the diversity of the Arabs.
ARAB 403 Oral for Academic and Professional Purposes
This course aims at providing students with Arabic oral and analytical skills for use in their
academic and future professional environments. The theme-based approach will be employed in
introducing students to academic genres, such as research articles, acknowledgments, etc. Some
professional areas like the media, business and science will be introduced as well. Overall, the
course will provide students with the sociolinguistic competence that will help them use the
Arabic language in academic and professional setups appropriately.
ARAB 404 Advanced Oral Expression
This course is designed to develop students’ communicative competence in the Arabic language. It
will strengthen their listening and speaking skills. It will also provide students with a practical
prolonged use of the language in order to be able to communicate in different situations involving
formal and informal language. Students will be guided to extend their existing knowledge of
vocabulary through presentation of different authentic materials and text sources.
ARAB 405 Advanced Translation Skills I
This course aims to introduce students to advance translation skills and help bilingual speakers
become familiar with translation techniques. It develops practical translation skills to equip
students with needed skills to deal with various texts from different fields. It will also introduce
students to selected key issues in translation studies and enable students to think critically about
linguistic and cultural issues associated with translation.
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ARAB 406 Advanced Translation Skills II
This is a continuation of ARAB 405. The course aims to extend and further refine
students’ practical translation skills studied at the previous semester. Students are
introduced to issues of translation theory and techniques that will inform their translation
practice. More complex texts from a variety of sources will be used. Selected texts will
be in both Arabic and English.
ARAB 407 Selected Topics I
This course involves the treatment of specific topics in various academic fields and other areas of
special interest to the teaching faculty/course instructor. It aims at catering for any undesigned
course that may need to be taught with the availability of a new/visiting member of staff but is not
catered for in the syllabus. Topics covered include various aspects of Arabic language and
literature and other current issues of importance in the Arab world.
ARAB 408 Selected Topics II
This course involves the treatment of specific topics in various academic fields and other areas of
special interest to the teaching faculty/course instructor. It aims at catering for any undesigned
course that may need to be taught with the availability of a new/visiting member of staff but is not
catered for in the syllabus. Topics covered include various aspects Arabic language and literature
and other current issues of importance in the Arab world.
ARAB 409 Gender and Identity in Modern Arabic Literature
The course aims at investigating the construction of gender through readings from a variety of
Arab discourses in modern Arabic literature.This will be done in relation to the historical and
political contexts in which the literature texts were written. The course explores critical issues of
gender and power among the Arabs. Attention will be paid to gender issues among the Arabs
within historical, social, political and religious contexts.
ARAB 410 Language Immersion II
This is specially packaged intensive long-vacation study in an Arabic speaking country or locally.
It is intended to give students the opportunity to practice Arabic language constantly and to
experience its rich and unique culture. It also offers students the opportunity to understand the
changing Arab world. This immersion course is available between Levels 300 and 400.
ARAB 411 Aspects of Islamic and Umayyad Poetry
The course will acquaint students with some characteristics of poetry during the Islamic and
Umayyad periods. The political, religious and social factors and their impact on poetry will be
considered, through the study of the compositions of famous poets of the time. Some selected
poets like Al-Farazdaq, Al-Jarir, Al-Akhtal and their works will be analyzed.
ARAB 412 Arabic in West Africa
The course considers the coming of Islam to West Africa, and the subsequent development and
spread of Arabic learning. The study involves readings from the publications of West African
scholars from Mali, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, etc. The course explores the socio-cultural effect of
teaching Arabic language in the traditional Muslim schools and tertiary institutions in the subregion.
ARAB 413 Arabic Literary Traditions in West Africa
This course is essentially a historical survey of literary productions of Muslim scholars in West
Africa, specifically Ghana and Nigeria, which entails textual analysis of selected Arabic works,
focusing on form, content and style. The works of some selected scholars like Alhaji Umar Karki,
Sheikh Usman dan Fodio, etc. will be studied.
ARAB 414 Modern Arabic Novel in Translation
The course focuses on the major trends in the development of the Modern Arabic novel from 18th
Century till present. Literary theories and ideologies associated with this genre will be studied.
This will entail examination of representative works of prominent Arab writers, with special focus
on thematic analyses and artistic values. Works to be examined will come from Egypt, the
Levantine and the Gulf region.
ARAB 415 Arabic Literature and Thought
The course focuses on philosophical thoughts and concepts in prose fictions of some selected Arab
writers of post-colonial era. Students will analyse the various philosophical views and theories in
the stories studied. Students will be introduced to critical and major thoughts relevant to Arabic
literary writings, especially as represented by Arab theorist and authors in their literary works.
ARAB 416 Discourse Analysis and Stylistics
The course aims at introducing students to the textual analysis of Arabic discourses at the levels of
lexicon, grammar, sentence, style, and text as they affect meaning. Students will be introduced to
various Arabic literary texts in order to enhance their appreciation of stylistics employed by
prominent Arabic writers in conveying meanings. Key elements of structural linguistics, speech
act and discourse theories will be examined and given practical usage through exercises.
ARAB 417 Arabs and Globalisation
The course deals with an aspect of the Arab cultural studies, which seeks to examine various
viewpoints on globalisation within Arab intellectual discourse and conflicts arising thereof. The
cultural ‘protectionism’ agenda of the traditionalists against the modernists’ campaign of
liberalism will form the basis of this study. Various parts of the Arabic speaking countries and
how globalisation has influenced their ways of life will be looked at.
ARAB 418 Aspects of Ancient Arabic Literature
The course aims at introducing students to aspects of Arabic literature of the Jalihiyya Period. The
emphasis will be on the main linguistic and philosophical elements that characterised literature of
that period. Samples of the ancient literary works will be read for analysis. The main characters of
the period will be introduced to students, as well.
ARAB 419 Writings of Ghanaian Ulama
This course is a textual study of some selected literary works of Ghanaian Muslim writers such as
Umar Karki and others for analysis, and appreciation. Critical evaluation of their peculiar artistic
features will be conducted. Their socio-religious contribution to the Ghanaian society will be
discussed. This evaluation will be conducted in relation to other literary works from the West
African sub-region and beyond.
ARAB 420 Study Abroad
This is a two-semester six-credit course in Arabic language, literature and culture to be undertaken
in an institution in an Arab-speaking country. It is intended to give students the opportunity to
practice Arabic language constantly and to experience its rich and unique culture. It also offers
students the opportunity to understand the changing Arab world. Only students combining or
majoring can take this course.
ARAB 421 Functional Arabic I
This course will focus on reading specialized Arabic texts with varied registers for particular
social and professional contexts; e.g. Businness Arabic, Medical Arabic and Diplomatic Arabic.
Arabic texts of literary, religious, and legal nature will be introduced. Early Arabic writings from
classical and Islamic period will be studied for stylistic evaluation and appreciation.
ARAB 422 Functional Arabic II
This is a follow-up course to ARAB 421. The course provides further readings in complex
religious, literary, and legal Arabic texts with various contextual meanings of their lexical
components. More complex Arabic texts of literary, religious, and legal nature will be introduced.
All texts will be studied for stylistic evaluation and appreciation.
ARAB 423 Higher Language Proficiency
This course involves advanced practical communication exercises aimed at further developing
students’ ability in oral and written expressions. The course deals with readings in specialised
topics, such as politics, medicine, sports, business and religion, using interactive dialogues,
discussions, debates, essay writing and presentations.
Students will be able to use Arabic flexibly for social and academic purposes.
ARAB 424 Readings in Andalusian and Mahjar Literature
The course gives a historical survey of Andalus and Mahjar literature. It however concentrates on
the main literary features of Arab poetry produced during the Arab occupation of Spain, as well as
acquainting students with the works of emigrant Arab poets who lived in Europe and the
Americas. Students are exposed to the literary works of Poets such as Ibn Zaydun, Ibn Haani, Ibn
Hazm, etc.