California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Approved: September 11, 2014
Department of Modern Languages, Philosophy & Socio-Cultural Studies

A.

Protocol
Course Name: Arabic Literature in Translation
Course Number: ARB 421
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class size (face-to-face): 35
Maximum Class size (online): 35

B.

Objectives of the Course:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
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C.

Write clear, concise, and effective prose in Arabic.
Practice reading literary texts within their social, historical, and cultural contexts.
Explore the relationship of literature to other disciplines.
Discuss the multifaceted relationship of literature to society as mediator, mirror,
interpreter and critique.
Analyze the ethical implications in literature of the depiction of self and others.
Identify the different Arabic literary genres: drama, poetry, essays, novels,
Recognize and discuss the different uses of these genres and the social and personal
conditions that allow these works to be produced in a variety of settings.
Examine multiple interpretive possibilities of Arabic literature and reflect on the aspects
of their own circumstances that influence their interpretations of the works examined.
Analyze the relationship between the cultural and social conditions and the literary norms
that encouraged the production of specific literary forms as well as the creative impulses
and audience demands that, in part, reformulated those social norms.
Develop strategies for seeking and synthesizing information to support and present an
argument, make a decision, resolve a problem.
Enjoy reading Arabic literary texts.
Catalog Description:
This course is a survey of Arabic literature in translation with a focus on continuity and
change, influence, and major trends, themes, and genres. It will provide students with a
foundation in Arabic literature. Students will be introduced to short stories, novels, essays,
poetry, and plays.

D.

E.

Outline of the Course may include the following topics:
1.

Introduction
Syllabus Available on D2L
Who is Naguib Mahfouz?
The Mosque in the Narrow Lane (N. Mahfouz)
Children of Gebelaawi (N. Mahfouz)

2.

Adrift on the Nile (N. Mahfouz)
The Beggar (N. Mahfouz)

3.

Short Stories
The Picture (L. al-Zayyat)
The Picture (N. al-Saadawi)

4.

The Future (D. al-Amir)
Sun, I am the Moon (H. al-Shaykh)

5.

The Sultana (E. Osman)
She Will Come (S. Fouad)

6.

A Flower in the Swamp, The Camel (S. Bakr)

7.

Who is Gibran Khalil Gibran?
Broken Wings (K. Gibran)

8.

My Countrymen (K. Gibran)
The Prophet (K. Gibran)

9.

The Prophet (K. Gibran)

10.

The Earth Gods (K. Gibran)

11.

Tears and Smile (K. Gibran)

12.

The Ablution (H. al-Rahib)

13.

The Destroyer of Families (S. Muyhi ‘l Din)

14.

The Power of Darkness (G. Salim)

15.

Presentations & Final Paper

Teaching Methodology:

1) Traditional Classroom Methodology:
Cooperative learning is the major teaching method in this course. The instructor will
serve as a facilitator to the learning process in class. We will work together to learn more
about Arabic literature by keeping up with the required readings and doing the required
class work. To this end, the instructor will use short lectures, videos, papers and
presentations, homework, and class discussion. It is expected that all students will take
part in these discussions.
2) Online Methodology:
Quality MattersTM Statement – The online course follows the standards of the Quality
MattersTM rubric.
This class will be offered online. Cooperative learning is the major teaching method in this
course. The instructor will serve as a facilitator to the learning process in class. We will
work together to learn more about Arabic literature by keeping up with the required
readings and doing the required class work. To this end, the instructor will use short
lectures, videos, papers and presentations, homework, and class discussion. It is expected
that all students will take part in these discussions.
F.

Suggested Texts:
Salih J. Altoma, Modern Arabic Literature in Translation. Saqi Books, 2005. ISBN #
0863565972
“This guide to modern Arabic literature in English translation features not only a
comprehensive bibliography but also chapters on fiction, drama, poetry, and
autobiography, as well as a special chapter on Iraq's Arabic literature. By focusing on
Nadjib Mahfouz, one of Arabic Literature's luminaries, and on poetry--a major, if not the
major genre of the region—S. Altoma assesses the progress made towards a wider
reception of Arabic writing throughout the western world.”
Denys Johnson-Davies, Modern Arabic Short Stories, London, Oxford University Press,
1967.
Raymond Francis, Aspects de la littérature arabe contemporaine, Dar El-Maaref, Cairo,
1963.
Additional readings will be available on D2L.

G.

Assessment Activities:
1) Traditional Classroom Assessment:
Quizzes/Exams
Paper(s)
Presentation(s)
Class Discussions/Participation

30%
20%
20%
30%

2)

Online Assessment:
Online Quizzes/Exams
Individual Paper(s)
Online Presentation(s)
Online Discussions/Participation

H.

30%
20%
20%
30%

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities:
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Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations.
Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive
accommodations.
Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically
involve the faculty.
Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting
accommodations that involve the faculty.

Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for Students
with Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation
Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for
self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Contact Information:
• Location: Azorsky Building – Room 105
• Phone: (724) 938-5781
• Fax: (724) 938-4599
• Email: osdmail@calu.edu
• Web Site: www.calu.edu (search “disability”)
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I.

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Video and audio tapes dealing with Arabic culture will be made available.
Additional Information for Course Proposals

J.

Proposed Instructors:
Qualified Instructor to teach Arabic.

K.

Rationale for the Course:

Among the most pressing issues to emerge from the recent developments on the global
scene is that of genuine translatability among cultures. In these contexts, it has become
important to assess the status of non-European literatures, especially as they are received in
translation. And translation brings with it the deeper issues of translatability. Among these,
the case of modern Arabic literature is most pressing, both within the academy and in the
society at large. The tragic events of 9/11 led to perhaps an even greater interest in Arab
culture and, in a trickle effect down to works of modern Arabic literature (awarding of the
Nobel Prize in Literature to Naguib Mahfouz back in 1988). But is modern Arabic
literature to be read, native-informant like, only for a view on Arab culture and Arab
societies? If these works in translation were to migrate beyond academic contexts and
classrooms, is it then the choice of texts or is it the widening of dissemination, forces of the
market that would prepare the scene for an otherwise mode of reception?
L.

Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
Specialized equipment or supplies are not needed for course instruction.

M.

Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1. Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
The course does not require additional human resources.
2. Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No, additional physical resources are not required.
3. Does the course change the requirements in any particular major?
(Please explain)
No, the course does not change any major requirements.
4. Is the course replacing an existing course? (If so, list the course)
No, the course does not replace an existing course.
5. How often will the course be taught?
The course will be offered once a year.
6. Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If
the possibility exists, indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No, it does not duplicate an existing course in another Department or College.
7.

N.

What is the recommended maximum class size for this course?
The recommended maximum class size for this course is 35.

If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another
discipline, you must request a statement of support from the department chair that houses
that discipline.

No, the proposed course does not include substantial material that is traditionally taught
in another discipline.
O.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for
General Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based on the categories
for General Education. The General Education Committee must consider and approve
the course proposal before consideration by the UCC.
It will be proposed for consideration as menu course for General Education in Humanities
and Cultural Awareness.
We are requesting Arabic Literature in Translation ARB 421 to be included in the general
education menu because it is a course that satisfies the rubric “Humanities.” Students who
want to take this class have been asking about using it to satisfy their “Humanities”
requirement. This class introduces students to the Arabic literature. The students will
develop the practice of reading literary texts within their social, historical, and cultural
contexts. Thus, it fits perfectly under the general heading of “Humanities.”
We are requesting Arabic Literature in Translation ARB 421 to be included in the general
education menu because it is a course that satisfies the rubric “Multi-Cultural Awareness.”
Students who want to take this class have been asking about using it to satisfy their multicultural awareness requirement. This class introduces students to Arabic literature. The
students will develop the practice of reading literary texts within their social, historical, and
cultural contexts. Thus, it fits perfectly under the general heading of “Multi-Cultural
Awareness.”

P.

Provide Approval Form (electronically).

Additional Guidelines
The following are additional guidelines that you must follow which will expedite your
course proposal. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the return of the proposal to the
department.
1. Be sure that your proposal is in the correct format (Guidelines for New Course
Proposals) and that all questions have been completely answered.
2.

Be sure that you have completed and attached the Application to Establish a New
Course form and/or the Advisement Sheet Revision form and that the appropriate
signatures have been affixed. Please send through the process electronically (the
preferred method) or by paper. No items will be placed on the agenda until the
Chair of the UCC is in possession of these forms.

3.

Be sure that you include an updated advisement sheet for any course that is being
required by the department or is classified as a restricted elective. In addition, you
must include an electronic copy (MS Word or PDF) of the current advisement

sheet(s) with your proposal. Be certain that all advisement sheets affected by the
proposed course change be included with your proposal.
4.

When submitting materials for consideration by the Curriculum Committee, you
must provide an electronic copy of each item to be reviewed to the Chairperson.

5.

All completed items must be in the hands of the Chairperson of the Curriculum
Committee a minimum of one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6.

Any department requesting a course name change, number change, prefix changes,
credit changes, etc. must submit this request on the Application to Establish a New
Course Form and submit electronically.

7.

New advisement sheets, major proposals, minors, or changes to advisement sheets
will become effective the fall semester following committee approval. The
advisement sheets must also include the committee approval date and the
effective date on the advisement page. Submit this request on the Advisement and
/or Program Changes form.

8.

New courses will become effective the semester following committee approval.

9. Any references listed must be in the appropriate bibliographic format for the
discipline.
10.

Online courses must follow the Quality Matters™ rubric and is posted on the
UCC website. Be sure that you include the online teaching methodology statement
(refer E.2 above) that refers to the Quality Matters™ rubric.

11. All course objectives must follow Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains located on
the UCC website.