دَوْرَةٌ تَدْرِيسِيَّةٌ تَحْلِيلِيَّةٌ لِعُيُونِ الشِّعْرِ الْعَرَبِيِّ
Masterpieces of Arabic Poetry
What Do We Study? Why Do We Study It? How Do We Study It?
Introductory Lines:
Scope of Study:
This seminar offers a selective reading of classical Arabic poetry as preserved and curated in the Arabic literary tradition up to the 5th century AH / 11th century CE. The focus will be on three of the most celebrated poetic masterpieces:
Lāmiyyat al-Shanfarā (the Ode of Shanfarā al-Azdī)
Sīniyyat al-Buḥturī (the Ode in Sīn by al-Buḥturī)
Lāmiyyat al-Ṭughrā’ī (the Ode in Lām by al-Ṭughrā’ī)
Why This Seminar?
These poems were selected and celebrated in early Arabic scholarship for their:
Precision of vocabulary and richness of native Arabic expression
Structural integrity in syntax and composition
Inventive and intellectually stimulating metaphors and figures of speech
Pedagogical potential in transmitting linguistic and moral values
Cultural depth, reflecting diverse influences from Arab, Indian, Persian, and Greek traditions
The Method:
Each poetic verse will be studied individually in a four-part analytical process:
Reading Practice — for correct recitation and vocalization
Lexical and Morphological Analysis — using historical Arabic dictionaries
Syntactic and Semantic Analysis — exploring grammatical structure and semantic flow
Thematic Reading — uncovering the broader conceptual or philosophical message
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the seminar, students will have:
Improved their reading fluency and correct pronunciation
Enhanced their compositional skills in both writing and speaking
Developed a refined literary sensibility grounded in Arabic aesthetics and critical tradition
The Applied Training Workshop:
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants will be required to compose a written piece in elevated Arabic prose, characterized by figurative and rhetorical clarity.
The objective is not to overload the text with rare or obscure vocabulary, nor to focus on excessive rhyme or stylistic ornamentation. Instead, the workshop seeks to:
Cultivate the student’s ability to express ideas with rhetorical precision,
Encourage an authentic Arabic literary style rooted in correct imagery and linguistic intuition,
Develop the student’s proficiency in fluent pronunciation and eloquence, as introduced and practiced throughout the seminar.