Corso di laurea in Lingue e culture
dell'Asia e dell'Africa

The course is intended for absolute beginners, as an introduction to the study of Modern Standard Arabic, which is the main vehicular language of the Arabo-Islamic civilization and the official language of twenty-two States from Iraq to Morocco and is currently used in oral and written communication, primarily in official and inter-Arab contexts. Its main objective is to provide basic elements of Arabic grammar (transliteration, phonetics, phonology and morphology)

The level of Arabic to be reached at the end of module 1 is A1 of the CEFR.

The course will allow students to learn the Arabic script and the basic grammar of Modern Standard Arabic, as used in written and oral communication, as well as a basic vocabulary for simple conversation and reading comprehension.

36 X 45 minute classes and weekly homeworks.

Exam program: Lessons 1-4 of the textbook for 6 cfu; Lessons 1-7 for 9 cfu; Lessons 1-8 for 12 cfu.

The exam consists of two written tests and an oral test. Written tests can be undertaken, together or jointly, in any one of the four written "appelli" (in January, April, June and September). The oral exam can be undertaken only if at least one (for students acquiriung 6 cfu) or both (for students acquiring 9 and 12 cfu) written test(s) is/are successfully  passed with a mark of at least 15/30.

The oral exam can be undertaken in any "appello" and consists of a discussion of the eventual errors of the written tests as well as the reading of a few sentences of the texts used in the written tests.

The written test of Mod. 1 (max. 30/30) consists of:
- a question on the grammatical points taught at class (max. 5/30)

- a short vocalization exercise (max. 5/30)

- a transliteration exercise  (in Roman script) (max. 5/30)

- the translation of three sentences from Italian (or English or French, as previously arranged for with the teacher) into Arabic (max. 15/30).

The written test of Mod. 2 (max. 30/30) consists of:
- the translation into Italian or another language previously arranged for with the teacher of an Arabic text (max. 20/30)

- an exercise on the grammar taught in classes (max 10/30)

The students will be allowed to use his/her own personal dictionary only.

The oral test allows the possibility of adding 4 (four) marks to the mark acquired in the written tests.

One or both written tests can be undertaken for the first time or repeated in one of the four non-verbalizing "appelli scritti"or "esoneri", in a date to be communicated. The mark acquired in any of the written tests has no expire date; the written tests can be repeated and the best mark will be used for the purposes of the final mark.

The oral test (discussion of the written tests and reading test) can be undertaken or repeated in any one of seven "appelli verbalizzanti". It is necessary to properly register to these "appelli verbalizzanti". This involves having paid the due fees, having the exam in one's own career plan and evaluating the course into Edumeter .

Classrooms and hours will be communicated by the relevanty Office.

For any problem involving the exam dates, the registration, the career plan, fees, Edumeter, or classrooms the student must consult the relevant offices at the Students' Secretary or at his/her own School or Department. 

The course program includes

a. a general survey on the history of the Arabic language and its varieties (Classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, dialects and diglossia)

b. the Arabic script

c. basic elements of grammar: phonetics, phonology and nominal morphology, to be learned through simple texts.

The following topics will be dealt with during the course:
- Arabic script (pronunciation and writing)
- transliteration in Roman script
- nominal morphology (gender, number, case, and construct state)
- pronouns: personal, demonstrative, interrogative, relative
- morphology of the regular verb: Perfect, introduction to the Imperfect.

The course will also introduce the main rules governing the noun phrase (definite article, nunation, determiners...) and the simple nominal sentence.

Eckehard Schulz, Gunther Krahl and Wolfgang Reuschel, Standard Arabic: An Elementary-Intermedtiate Course: An Elementary-Intermediate Course, Cambridge University Press 2000, Lessons 1-4.

The acquisition of a good bilingual Arabic dictionary is strongly advised.

no individual syllabus available.