BA (Hons) Modern Language Studies: Arabic

Part-time study available
Industrial Placement
International students can apply
Overseas study available
Work placement opportunity

Arabic modules focus on developing practical language usage and are designed to help you develop high-level oral and written communication skills applicable to the world of work. In addition to your language studies, which make up one third of the course, you will take a range of specialist modules.

You can also opt to study a second language from year 2 on the University-wide Language Programme, available options include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.

Year 1

You will take one language module in Arabic which will run across semesters 1 and 2. If you choose to study Arabic from beginners level you will take the Arabic 102 module, and for post-A level languages you will take the Arabic 101 module.

Alongside your Arabic module you will take four specialist modules in the related fields of linguistics and/or politics and international relations.

Arabic 101: Post A-Level (Semester 1&2)

You study post-A-level you will cover Grammar; Written language; Oral Language; DILL- Developing Independent Language Learning; Translation into English and Translation into the foreign Language.This module will enable you to:

Master a range of syntactic structures in Arabic in oral and written modes
Acquire an awareness of stylistic variation
Acquire introductory translation skills, both into English and Arabic;
Expand your cultural knowledge and intercultural awareness
Develop an ability to manage your own learning through DILL (Developing Independent Language Learning) and the creation of a portfolio of independent work based on your own needs and individual action plans.

Arabic 102: Beginners (Semester 1&2)

You study at beginners level you will cover Grammar; Language (multi skills including oral language); DILL - Developing Independent Language Learning and Translation into English. This module will enable you to:

Establish an understanding of the basic grammatical structure of Arabic, and build a fundamental lexis
Develop basic communication skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in Arabic
Develop the ability to apply these communication skills in a variety of situations, including translation of simple texts into English;
Develop intercultural knowledge and awareness
Develop an ability to manage your own learning through DILL (Developing Independent Language Learning) and the creation of a portfolio of independent work based on your own needs and individual action plans.

Structure of English

Taking a descriptive approach to the grammar of English, this module gives you a grounding in how to describe some of the most important grammatical features of the language. You will learn how to identify and classify grammatical categories and functions, and how to analyse the structure of phrases and sentences.

Meaning in Language

This module will introduce you to the study of meaning in language and its role in communication. It addresses such questions as why some sentences can be interpreted in more than one way, and how context affects the way in which sentences are understood

Theories and Issues in International Relations I

This module introduces you to the main theories of international relations (IR): realism, idealism and Marxism. You will critically analyse and assess these approaches and perspectives against real world case studies, and explore the way in which we understand the world according to these theories.

Politics and Democracy

You will be introduced to the key ideas, concepts and institutions of liberal democracy. You will look at the threats and challenges to liberal democracy - both internal threats such as increasing citizen disatisfaction and external threats such as terrorism.

Year 2

In Year 2 you will take one language module in Arabic which will run across semesters 1 and 2. This will be a continuation of your language module from Year 1.

You will choose four optional modules from the following list allowing you to concentrate on Linguistics or Politics/International Relations.

Alternatively, you can choose module options from both disciplines and you can also opt to study another foreign language: available options include French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Japanese, on the University-wide Language Programme.

Arabic 301

This module is a continuation of Arabic 101, and you will develop written production skills, intermediate-level translation skills from Arabic into English and from English into Arabic and also aural comprehension skills, in particular on the basis of a programme of History and Contemporary Society classes.

Arabic 302

This module is a continuation of Arabic 102, and you will extend your communication skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in Arabic and gain knowledge of aspects of the recent social, political and cultural development of the relevant country.

Plus four optional modules from the following list:

Semantics

Communication is possible because languages are meaningful. This module looks at key aspects of meaning in language, such as the interpretation of nouns, verbs, and adjectives in English and other languages, and how the literal meaning of complex expressions can be predicted from the literal meanings of their parts and the way in which they are combined.

Corpus Approaches to Language

This module introduces you to the idea and uses of a corpus – a collection of texts, stored on computer, and sampled to represent different types or varieties of a language. Because a corpus can be easily searched by computer, it offers a unique way of exploring language as it is actually used – which doesn’t always match our predictions, or even previous research.

Syntax

This module will give you a solid theoretical and practical knowledge of how languages are systematically alike and different in their basic sentence structure. Drawing on data from English and other languages you will gain practical experience in forming and testing linguistic hypotheses and rules.

Key Concepts and Skills in TESOL

You will be introduced to key concepts underlying TESOL methodology (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and become familiar with the basic approaches, materials and procedures and the principles of lesson planning and classroom management.

Theories and Issues in International Relations II

This module continues your exploration of international relations theory and moves on to more radical approaches to questions of war, identity, globalisation and economics, as well as new security challenges. You will develop your skills as theorists and explore new ways of thinking about international relations.

EU in International Relations

You will gain an understanding of the functioning of European Foreign Policy, its institutions, decision-making, and negotiations. You will become familiar with the key debates among EU foreign policy scholars and gain an appreciation of the range of political and institutional influences that have shaped the EU’s foreign policy development.

Contemporary Security Studies

This module introduces you to ‘traditional’ and ‘new’ approaches to defining and conceptualising security. You will study some of the most important issues on the international security agenda such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, resource wars and energy security, the privatisation of warfare, peacekeeping, pandemics and health security, and environmental degradation.

The Arab-Israeli Conflict

This module offers an introduction into the Arab Israeli conflict since the beginning of the 20th century by examining the main events and actors that have helped shape its course. You will also undertake a computer-based simulation where you can decide on issues of war and peace from the perspectives of the Israeli Prime Minister and Palestinian President.

Terrorism and Radicalisation

You will gain an understanding of the relationship between terrorism and the radicalisation process and of issues in terrorism and security. You will examine various conceptualisations of terrorism and analyse the historical evolution of the idea and practice of ‘terrorism’ in the 20th century and early 21st century.

Political Communication: Media and Democracy

This module explores the relationship between the media and politics in liberal democracies. You will focus on the nature of political media and reporting, the media’s influence on politics, and how political actors use the media. You will also study the rise of the internet and new media technologies and what this means for democracy.

US Foreign Policy since 1945

You will analyse the role of the United States in contemporary international relations and assess US relations with democratic countries in Europe, especially the UK. You will also evaluate the concept of the superstate.

International Politics and the Media

This module explores the claims and evidence about the impact of global media on international politics, particularly on the dynamics of international affairs, power relations among governments, foreign policy-making, conflict, security, diplomacy, development, and civil society.

Researching in International Relations and Politics

In this module you will prepare your dissertation in detail and identify the vital research skills and methodologies necessary to successfully undertake your most important piece of assessment. With guidance from your supervisor, you will plan your dissertation in advance so you get the best possible result.

Poverty and Development in International Political Economy

This module focuses on the impact of globalisation in relation to poverty and development. You will consider the role of the industrialised western states in the global economy, as well as post-colonial states, critically examining North-South relations.

University-wide Language Programme

You have the option to study an additional language through the UWLP, which is practical in content and available at four levels (stages): Stage 1 (complete beginner), Stage 2 (Grade A*-C at GCSE), Stage 3 (Grade C or below at AS level), Stage 4 (Grade D or below at A2 level). The lower stages help you cope with everyday situations abroad or when dealing with visitors to this country, and the higher stages enable you to use the language in more professional contexts.

Year 3

International Placement Year

It is a requirement of this course that you spend at least two semesters abroad, and that you undertake a placement. You may choose to study at one of our many partner institutions, take a work placement or undertake a combination of both. If you wish to gain work experience we offer a comprehensive network of industrial placements, many of which are paid.

Year 4

In Year 4 you will take one language module per semester, alongside optional specialist modules that interest you, and you can also write a dissertation in one of the areas you have studied.

For each language

Arabic 501

You will build on the experience of your International Placement Year and further develop your linguistic competence in Arabic. You will be able to use a wide range of syntactic structures, develop your written production skills using style and a broad range of functions and develop advanced level translation skills from Arabic into English.

and

Arabic 601

You will continue your language study by further developing your written production skills, using a wider range of syntactic structures involving text types and linguistic patterns of increased sophistication, communicating orally in a range of sophisticated contexts and developing advanced-level translation skills from English into Arabic.

Plus four optional modules from the following list:

Current Approaches to Linguistics

This module looks at some of the most important current approaches to the study of language, including some of the alternative theoretical frameworks and types of evidence used in contemporary linguistics.

Critical Issues in TESOL

You will develop an understanding of the global context of English language teaching and of the approaches, materials, and techniques of English language teaching to non-native speakers. You will be introduced to language learning needs analysis and develop the ability to plan and manage sequences of English language lessons.

Pragmatics and Cognition

In this module you will gain an understanding of aspects of linguistic communication which result from the interaction of linguistic meaning, context, and principles of human cognition. You will study some of the current theoretical frameworks which aim to explain how utterances are interpreted in context, and apply them in the analysis of data drawn from your own experience in communication.

World Englishes

English is now the most widely spoken language in the world. Its expansion has resulted in unprecedented growth in regional varieties, as well as impact on local languages. The module explores the emergence, characteristics and status of English(es) around the world today, in its different aspects, e.g. historical background vs. contemporary situation, and native speakers’ vs. non-native speakers’ viewpoint.

E-Democracy: Politics and the New Media

This module assesses the growing influence of new media technologies (internet, email, mobile phones) on democracy. You will explore questions of censorship, voting, power relations and the effects of new media technologies in society.

International Political Economy

You will develop your knowledge of political economy in this module, which aims to help develop critical ways of thinking about the contemporary world of work and the political economies of production our post-industrial world.

The Politics of Islamism

In this module, you will assess Islamism comparing it to fundamentalisms in other religions. It includes an examination of Muslim responses to Western modernity, and the development of modern Islamism from the Muslim Brotherhood to al Qaeda, as well as wider questions of the adaptability of Islamism to democratic practices.

Conflicts, Refugees and Humanitarian Intervention

You will be introduced to the issues forced migration and humanitarian intervention, and look at them from a historical perspective and examine their causes. You will examine the different categories of forced migrants and their respective legal status and analyse different policies through several case studies.

Ethics and International Relations

This module explores the place of ethical and moral questions in global politics, covering democracy and human rights, humanitarian intervention, just wars, foreign aid and sanctions, and the problems of international society and realising a universal order. You will engage with critical approaches to these topics and explore normative questions.

The Politics of European Union Enlargement

You will learn about the history of EU enlargements, tracing the expansion of the EU to include more member states. You will also study the key ideas behind enlargement and the concepts that guide it.

European Union Simulation

Aimed at giving you a taste of EU decision making and negotiation, in this module you are assigned to national, EU institutional and other teams and play your role in a simulated decision making scenario that concludes with a final one-day European Council ‘summit’.

Corruption in Contemporary Politics

Studying political corruption in detail you will explore the dynamics and impact of this problem for western democracies through key theories and case studies.

Dissertation

You will research, plan, structure and coherently present a sustained piece of writing (12,000 words), investigating a body of knowledge and interpreting and evaluating that knowledge, generating your own ideas and personal response to it.