Oriental languages and civilizations

The course aims to introduce students to the History of Arabic Literature from the beginning of the Nahdah (revival, 19th century) to the first half of the 20th century. Giving importance to the political and historical setting of the Arab world during the aforementioned period, the course will analyze the changing function and role of literature, the transformation of literary genres (in particular in fiction, press, poetry and theatre) and the consolidation of already accomplished literary forms within the Adab. Through analysis of primary and elementary sources in Arabic language and through reading sources in Italian (and sometimes English), the evolution of the cultural debate during the first half of the 20th century will be examined. By analyzing the Arabic literary production of the first half of the 20th century in its historical and political context, the course will examine and critically read various schools, authors and works which animated the debate (especially between tradition and modernity) concerning the creation of a modern Arabic literary canon. Along with the most important protagonists of the Nahdah period, both in Egypt and Bilad al-Sham, the course will take in consideration other writers belonging to the most recent generations and coming from different areas of the Arab world. It will explore what was the function and role assigned to literature by the various ‘voices’ (with a redefinition of the concept of the adib, namely the intellectual) who took part in the cultural debate at the beginning of the last century.

Basic (but not mandatory) knowledge of Arabic language is preferred

Some references: - Corrao F., Ruocco M. (a cura di), Letteratura araba, Dalla Nahda alle rivoluzioni e oltre 2 voll, LeMonnier Mondadori, 2004. (selected essays. The list of essays will be given at the beginning of class) - Musà, Salama, Che cos'è la rinascita?, traduzione e introduzione a cura di Ada Barbaro, Istituto per l'Oriente, Roma, 2002 - Maria Avino, Isabella Camera d’Afflitto, Alma Salem (a cura di), Antologia della letteratura araba contemporanea. Dalla nahdah a oggi, Carocci, Roma 2015. Chosen essays. The definitive list of the selected parts within the anthology will be given at the end of the course. - Reading two novels/literary works (at least) within the Arabic novels in translation. A list of the works will be given at the beginning of the lessons Further information and supplementary references - also for not attending students - will be given at the end of the lessons.

Frontal lessons. Power point presentation, video and audio. Some lectures given by other scholars will be organized

Course attendance is recommended

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

Frontal lessons. Power point presentation, video and audio. Some lectures given by other scholars will be organized