The major exponents of the literary and cultural life of the time in Egypt and in the Syro-Lebanese area will be studied.
The predominant poetic currents and the main themes addressed in the cultural debate then in vogue will be analyzed, such as the querelle between traditionalists and modernists; between conservatism and secularism; the emancipation of women and the first feminists.
Finally some hints will be given both to the birth and development of the Arab theater, and to the contemporary narrative. The program also includes the reading, analysis and translation of some extracts in Arabic which are an integral part of the Arabic literature exam II.

Each student, whether attending or not, must have read at least two novels (or anthologies of short stories or poems) of their choice, translated from Arabic into Italian. For the selection of Arabic works available in Italian, see the website www.arablit.it