Course code

HIL6582.HT

old course code

Course title in Estonian

Lähis-Ida kirjandused

Course title in English

Literatures of the Middle East

ECTS credits

6.0

Assessment form

Examination

lecturer of 2025/2026 Spring semester

Helen Geršman (language of instruction:Estonian)

lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester

Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.

Brief description of the course

The course provides a systematic overview of the development of Middle Eastern literatures, their main genres, themes, and key authors. Particular emphasis is placed on Arabic literature, with additional attention given to Hebrew and Persian literary traditions. The course covers literary developments from the pre-Islamic period to the present, including pre-Islamic prose and poetry, classical literature, Andalusian literature, Sufism, and modern and contemporary literary movements (the nahḍa as well as modern prose and poetry).

As part of the practical component, students read both original-language excerpts and translations of Middle Eastern poetic and prose works. Lectures are complemented by seminars in which literary texts are analysed and discussed, and methods of literary analysis are applied.

The course supports the development of analytical and comparative skills and fosters the acquisition of basic academic writing skills in the field of Middle Eastern literatures.

Learning outcomes in the course

Upon completing the course the student:
- demonstrates systematic knowledge of the development of Middle Eastern literatures, their main genres, themes, and key authors;
- analyses and interprets literary texts, distinguishing between the main forms of poetry and prose and applying relevant theoretical approaches;
- identifies common features across Middle Eastern literatures and evaluates their historical development and cultural significance;
- is able to independently analyse literary texts in accordance with the topics covered in the course;
- applies acquired knowledge of Middle Eastern literatures and the fundamentals of academic writing in the written analysis of literary texts;
- critically evaluates information and academic sources, and uses relevant digital databases, learning environments, and presentation tools responsibly for finding, analysing, and presenting study materials;
- works independently and collaboratively, communicating both orally and in writing in a multicultural academic environment.

Teacher

Helen Geršman

Study programmes containing that course

Asian Studies (HTAUB/27)
Asian Studies (HILAB/26.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/25.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/24.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/23.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/22.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/21.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/20.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/19.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/17.HT)
Asian Studies (HILAB/16.HT)