COURSE GUIDE

Special edition licensed for use by the Arab Open University

The Open University (UK) and the Arab Open University (AOU) acknowledge the contribution of
Professor Mohammad Awwad in reviewing this book and suggesting the modifications and
adaptations subsequently adopted in this version.

The Arab Open University has opted to use for its programs of study high-quality educational
materials produced for the United Kingdom Open University and originally intended for its
British and worldwide student body.

However, the AOU finds that there are certain viewpoints contained in these materials that cannot
be endorsed by the AOU. Therefore, in conformity with Arab traditions and Islamic beliefs, AOU
has modified these educational materials either by way of complete deletion of certain statements,
or by adding appropriate footnotes to them.

The Open University

Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
First published 2004
This edition produced 2004 for use by the Arab Open University
Copyright © 2004 The Open University
All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purpose of criticism and
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Edited, designed and typeset by The Open University

SUP 80192 2

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252650B/azd123CGs801922i1.1

1 INTRODUCING A123
On the front we have asked you to 'READ THIS FIRST' because it gives you a guide to A123 and
all its components and how they fit together. This Course Guide is essential reading for an
overview of your year's study. A123 is intended to introduce five Humanities disciplines:
art, literature, history, philosophy and classical studies. Students will first learn the
methodology of each discipline. Then, they work progressively and in more depth on
chosen texts from three areas: the classical world, the neoclassical world and the modern
world. The expression of prevailing philosophical concepts, which evolve through time in
art and literature, is central to the choice of texts.

The content spans aspects of ancient to modern Western civilization and is intended to be
of broad cultural interest. The course can be studied for further study for the BA.

Aims and objectives

The course provides instruction in reading, responding to and evaluating material drawn
from the five disciplines, and expressing views, orally and in writing. Those who
complete the course successfully will proceed to further critical assessment of complete
texts, expressing a response through argument supported by evidence in a range of
writing styles suitable to each of the disciplines. The course allows students to combine
precise thinking with general cultural insight, and experience cross-relating key concepts.

The course aims to:

 introduce you to what is studied in the humanities;

 help you to develop basic skills of analysis, argument and expression;

 instruct you in ways to understand and evaluate text that are characteristic of each
discipline;

 develop your aesthetic response and help you articulate it in such a way as to reach a
degree of consensus with others working in the same academic discipline;

 encourage your response to Humanities texts as enjoyable, instructive, culturally

broadening and life enhancing;

By the end of the course we hope you will be able to:

 recognize and select major arguments and concepts, and minor related arguments;

 develop an argument and support judgements and views with appropriate evidence;

 differentiate fact from opinion and weigh up conflicting data to reach a justifiable or
balanced and reasoned conclusion;

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 apply specific methodology to work on individual texts, as well as the interdisciplinary
study in the Humanities;

 write well-argued essays which demonstrate an ability to analyse texts and their
contexts;

 feel confident that you can move to studying at a higher level.

Course Structure

A123 is divided into six blocks. The Introductory Block introduces the five disciplines as
well as essential skills required for reading and analysis, note taking and essay writing.
Blocks 1-4 then develop your work in each of the disciplines. Block 5 will help you to
consolidate all this work.

You will see from the Introductory Block, and from your Study Calendar, that the course
is divided into study weeks. Each study week is mapped out for you at the beginning of
the course unit; in some cases a topic has been spread over two study weeks, as you will
see first in Block 2. What exactly you will do in any week will vary slightly, but you
should expect to read the study week material, and work through the exercises included in
it. You may also have material to read in one of the resource books, an audio CD to listen
to, an essay (tutor-marked assignment) to write, or a set book to read.

You will also have seen from the Study Calendar that there are some weeks which do not
have any block work. We've called these reading weeks. Although we expect you to use
them to catch up and consolidate the material you have been working on. Where a
reading week occurs, there will be guidance on it in a separate short unit at the end of the
block.

Your core study materials are the six blocks, and their contents are outlined below.

Introductory Block

The opening block introduces the essential study skills which underpin the whole of your
work on A123. Here you will find answers to such questions as 'How will becoming a
student affect my life?' 'What will I need to do to organize my study materials?' 'How
much time will I need each week to keep up with the course?' Most importantly, the skills
you need to work on 'texts': looking closely at pictures, reading and reflecting, following
argument then selecting points, note taking and producing your own evaluation of the
topic in essay form, are all explained and practiced. By the end of the block you will be
equipped for work on the rest of the course.

Block 1 Form and Reading

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The block develops your work in the subjects of art history, literature, and philosophy.
The techniques of close analysis studied should enrich your appreciation and
understanding of the fine arts. So questions such as what it is that is special about a
particular poem or painting and what generates your response to them are considered
with regard to a selection of works of art. You will encounter paintings by Courbet and
Rembrandt, and sonnets by Shakespeare, Milton and Seamus Heaney. The philosophy
section aims to develop your skill in the critical analysis of arguments.

Block 2 The Classical World

This block brings together the disciplines of art history and classical studies in an
interdisciplinary case study of the design and social function of the Roman Colosseum.
The classical studies part of this block explores the Colosseum as a symbol of Roman
society and its function as a place of punishment and spectacle. The art history
component examines the architecture and design of the arena, and then proceeds to a
study of the uses and design of modern stadia.

Block 3 The Neoclassical World

This block is broadly based around the ideas and events of the French Revolution. The
first two weeks introduce you to the study of history. Your methodological skills will be
developed, and you will look at the different kinds of text available to the historian as well
as the value of contemporary texts in our understanding of the Revolution's historical
context. In the following two weeks you will examine the ideas of the philosopher Jean-
Jacques Rousseau, whose thought inspired the revolutionaries. His relevance to modern
democracy will also be considered. Finally, the importance of historical context in art
history will be demonstrated in a study of Jacques-Louis David, the 'official' painter at the
time of the French Revolution.

Block 4 The Modern World

This block opens with the 1832 Reform Act in England and the extension of political
involvement to the mass of the populace. Primary source documents relating to the event
are studied in considerable detail, using the methodology for handling source material
that was taught in Block 1 and practiced in Block 3.

There in another literature unit, too, and the text used is George Bernard Shaw's play
Pygmalion. This play expresses the changing expectations of the populace as the
nineteenth century moved into the twentieth. In G.B. Shaw's play (of 1912), a flower girl is
transformed into a duchess – with ensuing problems. The play also has strong language
interest, with reference to variation in English dialects. We also study in detail the
dramatic structure of the work, characterization, theme and dialogue.

Block 5 Looking Back, Looking Forward

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The final week of study brings together themes and issues from the course. This
consolidation material will enable you to reflect on what you have learned, and on the
skills and understanding that you will carry forward to study in subsequent years.

Course materials

The following components are covered by your course fee and will be given to you by
your AOU Branch personnel:

1 The six blocks.

2 The Arts Good Study Guide by Ellie Chambers and Andrew Northedge

3 Resource books: Resource Book 1 and Resource Book 2 contain extra readings for the study
weeks and for audio CD work.

4 Illustration Book: all the extra illustrations which are discussed in the blocks are located
here.

5 Seven audio CDs: these are described below.

6 Audio Notes: these relate to the audio CDs.

7 Study Calendar: this provides a plan of work for the year.

8 Assignment Booklet.

Set books

Most of the extra reading we want you to do as part of your study of A123 is printed in the
resource books. However, you will also need to buy:

Bernard Shaw, Pygmalion, Penguin (ISBN 0-14-043789-4)

which is studied in Block 4.

The Arts Good Study Guide (AGSG) was written especially to be a main part of your study
of the course, and we would expect you to use it throughout your study of A123 and to
refer back to it as you progress through your Open University career. The book is based
on the experience of past Open University students. It is a practical book which gives you
the opportunity to develop your own study strategies. It offers help in the key aspects of
your study: reading effectively and making notes, writing essays and, for the future,
preparing for exams. However, Open University courses don't rely solely on written
material, so the AGSG also offers help with learning from tutorials and summer schools,

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from television programmes and audio-cassettes, or from visits to museums and art
galleries.

The AGSG is designed so that you can refer to it when you need to, for example when you
have to complete a specific task or when you encounter a problem. You will find that you
will be referred to the AGSG both in your early blocks and in some of the supplementary
materials. The references in the course units are in the form of marginal directions to
particular sections of the AGSC when you may need guidance or reassurance about
particular study skills.

Audio CDs

A123 has seven audio CDs. They have two main functions. First, they give you examples
of performance, particularly poetry reading and drama. Second, they help you to practice
and apply skills you will have learned in the units. You will be directed in the units as to
when to use the CDs and will find exercises relating to CDs in the units. The audio notes
also give information about the content of the CD and sources used. You will need a CD
player for your work on the course.

The audio CDs were originally produced as audio-cassettes and contain some references
to the original 'bands' and 'sides' of a conventional audio-cassette. However on a CD you
can identify specific sections more easily by using tracks, and you will find a complete list
of tracks in the Audio Notes.

Tuition and assessment

An important part of your study of the course will be writing assignments on which you
will be given detailed feedback as well as a mark.

Tutorials

Your AOU Branch makes arrangements for tutorials and will provide you with details of
their dates and locations.

A123 is offered in a total of sixty fifty-minute tutorials evenly spread over two semesters,
i.e. 15 tutorials during each semester. You are required to attend these tutorials, which are
the main opportunity for contact with your tutor and other students. In case there are
compelling reasons that may prevent you from attending some of these tutorials (a
maximum of 25%), your tutor may be able to offer you alternative support via letter, e-
mail, and during office ours. In such cases you should also consult with your tutor in
respect of rules and regulations governing absence from tutorials.

TMAs

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A123 has eight written tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) for you to complete. Writing
TMAs and absorbing your tutor's comments and advice are important parts of the
learning process. There is more detailed advice about the assignments and how to
complete them in the Assignment Book.

The TMAs for A123 are designed to take you gradually through the course. They will
begin with exercises in description and analysis, but by the final assignment we will be
expecting you to work on a full essay covering a number of disciplines. This will be part
of your preparation to help you move to second level.

You may now want to look at the Assignment Book, which gives a summary of each TMA
and of the proportion of marks each has. Individual essay questions contain guidance on
reading within the course, the date by which your essay should be sent to your tutor (this
is also on the Study Calendar) and the required length.