GENERAL AIMS

A university education should produce individuals capable of contributing to the development of society through the pursuit, dissemination and application of knowledge, understood as a combination of skills and learning which enables the future professional to understand the ever-changing world and contribute, through the education acquired, to its advancement.

The graduate in Arabic and Islamic Studies will understand how to combine the spirit of innovation and advancement of knowledge with an academic and humanistic vocation which promotes reflection on the human condition in time and space, and will demonstrate the capacity to think clearly, imaginatively and critically

The general aims of the Degree in Arabic and Islamic studies include:

• To provide students with linguistic skills in Arabic and a specific understanding of Arabic and Islamic society (literature, religion, geography, history and human reality, institutions, daily life, etc.).

• To provide students with a satisfactory knowledge of a second language from Arabic and Islamic civilisation.

• To provide students with a practical knowledge of a European language and culture.

• To provide students with the techniques, tools and skills necessary to apply their linguistic and cultural knowledge in the different fields for which the qualification prepares them.

• To train students in the use of the new information and knowledge management technologies as applied to Arabic and Islamic studies.

• In conclusion, to train flexible professionals, with a wide range of proficiencies related to the functions and intercultural understanding required by contemporary society.

• Credit structure of the degree course
• Distribution of credits per subject type
• General description of the course programme
• Optional subjects and routes
  

CREDIT STRUCTURE OF THE DEGREE COURSE

Subjects in the Degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies, each worth 6 European ECTS credits, are organised into semesters. Specifically, students are required to take 5 subjects each semester, to complete 30 credits per semester and 60 credits per year, for a total of 240 credits over four years.

In order to make the course compatible with other activities, students are allowed to take a part-time course consisting of 30 credits per academic year.

DISTRIBUTION OF CREDITS PER SUBJECT TYPE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME

The course programme is organised into modules and units.  Each module consists of one or several units encompassing related contents and learning and assessment methods, whilst units may be composed of one or more subjects.  Subjects comprise discrete content matter, which may or may not be integrated.

The course programme for the Degree (Grado) in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Alicante comprises a total of 240 credits.  This covers all the theoretical and practical knowledge which the student is expected to acquire, and includes fundamental aspects of the area of knowledge concerned, compulsory and optional subjects, seminars, work experience, supervised projects, the final project and other educational activities.

• A total of 60 ECTS correspond to the core subjects that students must pass. All core subjects are related to several fundamental subjects in the area of the Arts and Humanities, indicating the interdisciplinary nature implied by the objectives sought through the degree course. 

These core subjects (Language, Literature, Linguistics and Modern Languages) are each worth 6 credits, and are taken in the semesters comprising the first half of the course (first and second years). They are indicated in the course programme by the initials FB (Formación básica – core).

• A further 144 ECTS correspond to compulsory subjects, related to Classical Languages, Literature and Modern Languages, pertaining to the area of the Arts and Humanities.
• There is also a compulsory Final Project, worth 6 credits, which is undertaken during the final phase of the course programme (4^th Year). This is aimed at assessing the student’s acquisition of the proficiencies associated with the degree. Prior to evaluation for the final project, the student must provide evidence of ability in a foreign language.  Among other forms of accreditation, the minimum necessary requirement at the University of Alicante is to have attained level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages, and this requirement may be raised in the future.
• The remaining 30 ECTS credits correspond to the optional subjects which the student must choose, and which represent a complementary education.  Although these credits are also related to the area of the Arts and Humanities, none of the optional subjects comprise core subjects. 
• Work experience is also worth 6 credits, and is undertaken in the final year, together with the optional subjects..

The 240 credits covering all the theoretical and practical knowledge that the student is expected to acquire are taught through seminars, work experience, reading, supervised projects, etc., and conclude with the preparation and defence of a Final Project.

The Degree (Grado) in Arabic and Islamic Studies shares an educational structure common to the University of Alicante Degrees in Catalan Language and Literature, English Studies and Spanish Language and Literature, known as the “Degree Foundation Programme”, in accordance with the University of Alicante regulations regarding the implementation of Degrees, which stipulate a common basis with later progressive diversification leading to the different degree qualifications.

Thus, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Catalan Language and Literature, English Studies and Spanish Language and Literature include 60 shared credits which comprise the interdisciplinary module, taught in the first and second years of the degree and including subjects which are not specific to Arabic and Islamic Studies.

The reasons for structuring the course programme in this way lie in the need for an interdisciplinary approach to Language and Literature degrees and for  diversified academic learning in non-specialised areas as a basis for, and complement to, a better education in Arabic and Islamic Studies.

Specialisation in the Degree in Arabic and Islamic is addressed in the second module, consisting of 150 credits taught in 4 specific units: Arabic Language (11 subjects, 66 credits), Arabic Literature (6 subjects, 36 credits), Arabic and Islamic Cultures and Societies (6 subjects, 36 credits), Second Language (1 subject, 6 credits) and the Final Project (1 subject, 6 credits). In line with the distinctive nature of this degree, this module is taught over the four academic years comprising the degree programme.

The third and final module of the Degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies is the Complementary Module. This module, worth 30 credits, enables students to choose one of the 8 optional units offered: Spanish Studies, Catalan Language and Literature, English Studies, French Studies, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Classical Studies, General Linguistics, Literary Theory and Comparative Literature. Each of these units comprises a discrete group worth 30 credits, containing subjects specific to the unit title, and are taken in the final year of the degree course.

Students also have the option of undertaking Work Experience instead of one of the 5 subjects in each of the 8 units on offer.

Where an optional unit other than Arabic and Islamic Studies has been chosen, the subject of this optional unit will then be classified as a “subsidiary subject” in the degree.  The classification of “subsidiary subject” is reached by adding the 30 complementary module credits to the credits obtained for this subject in the interdisciplinary module (between 12 and 24 credits), leading to a possible overall range of between a minimum of 42 and a maximum of 54 credits.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS AND ROUTES

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

Students who study an undergraduate degree at the University of Alicante must confirm a minimum level of B1 in a foreign language (a B2 is recommended) in order to obtain the diploma.  

The required language level is in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

The language accreditation requirement can be obtained previously or at any time during university studies. However, the language requirement will be necessary in order to be able to assess the final year project.

The different forms of obtaining such language requirement can be consulted in the additional information in this section.  

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LANGUAGE TEACHING COMPETENCE CERTIFICATE

Students who want to have a career in non-university teaching when they finish their studies are recommended to obtain the teaching competence certificate (Valencian and/or foreign languages).

This certificate can be obtained by taking specific itineraries in your university studies or by taking the UA teaching competence course in Valencian, German, French and English.

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FINAL YEAR PROJECT (TFG)

All the official undergraduate degrees must be completed by preparing and defending a final year project, which must be done in the final phase of the studies and be aimed at the assessment of competences associated to the degree.

The final year project must be an original, independent and personal work. The elaboration of it may by individual or coordinated. Each student will prepare this project under the supervision of a tutor, allowing students to show the received training content in an integrated many, as well as the acquired competences associated to the undergraduate degree.

In order to register in the final year project, students must comply with the requirements established in the “Regulations for continuation studies for students registered in undergraduate degrees at the University of Alicante”. Among the requirements established to be able to register in the final year project, a minimum of 168 credits must be passed in undergraduate degrees with a total of 240 credits, and a minimum of 228 credits in undergraduate degrees with a total of 300 credits or more.

In order for the final year project to be assessed, a B1 level of a foreign language (B2 is recommended) must be confirmed.

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• Access routes
• Procedure for applying for admission
• Recommended applicant profile
• Number of places and pass marks

ACCESS ROUTES

Admission to this degree course is open to any applicant who meets one of the following entrance requirements:

1.     SPANISH BACCALAUREATE (LOMCE) UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Although students can access university by means of any Baccalaureate specialization, the recommended one is Humanities and Social Sciences.

Admission scores for this degree can be improved by taking the specific modules of the University Entrance Exam (PAU) as indicated in the table below with their respective weightings.

TABLE 1

2.     PREVIOUS BACCALAUREATES WITH OR WITHOUT A PASS IN THE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Students who have completed their Baccalaureate under previous education systems and have passed the PAU will be able to use the mark obtained in their application.

However, students can take specific exam modules during the voluntary PAU exam period in order to improve their admission score as shown in table 1. They can also sit for the obligatory PAU exams, in which case they will have to take all the exams scheduled during this period.

3.     VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: Vocational educational qualifications such as senior technician, senior technician of plastic arts and design, or senior technician in sports is the preferred professional area although access to this degree may be through any professional field.

Admission scores can be improved by taking the PAU exam in up to 4 of the modules in table 1.

4.     STUDENTS FROM EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR OTHER STATES WITH WHICH SPAIN HAS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT: Accreditation is required and issued by Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

Students can sit for exams in subjects included in the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE), organised by the UNED, in order to improve their admission score up to 14 points as indicated in the weightings in Table 1.

5.     STUDENTS FROM FOREIGN EDUCATION SYSTEMS: Prior to applying for the validation of their foreign Baccalaureate, students may sit for up to 4 exams in subjects offered by the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE) organised by UNED (at least one subject from the core subjects).

The weightings indicated in table 1 will be applied to core and/or optional subjects.

6.     OTHER: University degrees and other similar qualifications. University entrance exam for students over 25 (preferential option: Arts and Humanities). Access on the basis of professional experience (applicants over 40 years of age). Access to applicants aged 45 years or more by means of an exam.

Weightings of the subjects of the specific phase of the Proof of Access to the University (PAU) in the previous years

High School Diploma Subjects

Academic Years 2010-11 2011-12

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Academic Years 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15    2015-16

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PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION: PRE-ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION

• Anticipated number of places offered during the first pre-enrolment session: 50

• In order to apply for a place, the procedure and pre-enrolment periods established each year must be observed. Information concerning the application procedure  (Pre-enrolment).

• Applicants admitted to a course must formally register within the timescale established annually in the enrolment calendar. Registration Information.

RECOMMENDED APPLICANT PROFILE

In order to be admitted to this degree, new students must possess a basic humanities education, together with good skills in logical reasoning.

NUMBER OF PLACES AND PASS MARKS

• "Pass marks" indicated correspond to the results of the first adjudication of June.
  
• The definitive marks can be inferior to the here collected.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

Graduates in Arabic and Islamic studies are qualified to work in the following areas:

• TEACHING: Teaching of the Arabic language and the different cultural aspects covered on the degree course in secondary schools, the Spanish Official School of Languages network, universities, private centres, language academies and on language courses for banks, businesses and public institutions, mosques, cultural centres, etc.
• RESEARCH: The production of knowledge and dissemination of the same in society.  Researchers may work in universities, the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council), public administration,  healthcare, welfare and educational or other institutions and organisations, and companies involved in the systematic production and/or applied knowledge of Arabic language and literature (telephony, computer applications, linguistic tools associated with the production and understanding of language and speech).
• MEDIATION:
  • INTERCULTURAL MEDIATION: Facilitator for communication and relations between persons from different cultural backgrounds. Cultural mediators work in study centres with immigrant students, NGOs, public administration and other public organisations, health and welfare services, import/export departments of businesses, the tourist sector, etc.
  • LINGUISTIC MEDIATION: Facilitator for communication between persons from different linguistic backgrounds. Linguistic mediators work in study centres with immigrant students, NGOs, public administration and other public organisations, health and welfare services, import/export departments of businesses, the tourist sector, etc.
• LEXICOGRAPHY and TERMINOLOGY: Responsible for the production of terminological corpora and monolingual and bilingual general or specialist dictionaries, for publishing houses or public organisations.
• TEXT MANAGEMENT: editing, consultancy and proof-reading of texts, in traditional and digital format, in publishing, corporate and institutional environments, the media and advertising.
• CONSULTANCY.
  • LITERARY AND CULTURAL CONSULTANCY: Documentation and consultancy with regard to literary publications in Arabic, their translations, Arabic culture and Islamic religion, history and current affairs. Documentation (libraries, archives and communication centres), publishing (publishing houses, specialised publications, bookshops), media (cinema, press, radio, television, Internet, documentaries, exhibitions, cultural events hosted by public and private institutions) and in the field of the arts and Arabic Islamic cultural heritage.
  • LANGUAGE PROMOTION: Consultancy, planning and promotion of the Arabic language, for cultural services, foundations, NGOs, the media (journals, Internet, etc.), communications departments, public administration and public institutions (archives and libraries, archaeological and ethnological museums, etc.) and private institutions (mosques, civic and cultural centres, etc.).
  • POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Consultancy and documentation regarding areas or regions of the Arabic and Islamic world, for public institutions (ministries, public radio and television, etc.) and private institutions (media, specialised businesses, etc.).
  • SOCIAL INTEGRATION POLICIES: Consultancy and planning having to do with the integration of Arab and/or Muslim immigrants into Spanish society, and vice versa.

• TRANSLATION: General and Specific translations for public institutions and private companies.

IMPLEMENTATION

TIMESCALE

Once a course has been phased out, the subjects corresponding to the course will no longer be taught. Students who do not wish to take the new degree course subjects are entitled to sit four examinations in the two academic years following the end of each year. Any students wishing to continue their studies after sitting and failing these tests will be required to follow the new plan, according to the adaptation system established in the new plan.

CREDIT EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE FORMER DEGREE IN ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (LICENCIATURA) AND THE NEW DEGREE IN ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (GRADO)

CREDIT EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE FORMER DEGREE IN ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (LICENCIATURA) AND THE NEW DEGREE IN ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (Cont’d)

Subjects successfully taken by students of the former Degree in Arabic Language and Literature but not shown in the above table will be given credit equivalence with optional credits on the new Degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies, up to the maximum number of optional credits established for the Degree.

DEGREE IN ARABIC & ISLAMIC STUDIES. SYLLABUS SUMMARY

Internal Quality Assurance System (SGIC) of the Title

• Structure of the Centre for Quality
  • Comission of Internal Quality Guarantee
  • Other Commissions  
• Handbook SGIC
• Procedures
  • Strategic (PE)
  • Key (PC)
  • Support (PA)
  • Measurement (PM)

• Management of the SGIC (Access to ASTUA)

Follow-up of the Title

• Self-reports UA
• External reports AVAP 
• Other reports
• Improvement Plans
• Progress and Learning Outcomes