Netherlands Institute Morocco (NIMAR)
Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Morocco
In the spring semester, NIMAR offers university and HBO students a 30 EC program where students can choose between an intensive Arabic program focusing on Modern Standard Arabic and Moroccan Arabic or a research-focused program in which you conduct ethnographic research.
The programme offers students the opportunity to receive extensive training on Moroccan languages and culture. This semester can serve as a study abroad semester for various Dutch academic or HBO programmes during the second or third year. Students of Arabic follow a solid Arabic programme with various Modern Standard Arabic courses. Students from other disciplines, such as Modern Middle Eastern Studies, International Studies or even Medicine, do research in addition to developing their language skills. Furthermore, all students learn about Moroccan society through excursions and guest lectures. The programme further includes an Amazigh Week, a five-day excursion to rural Morocco and various visits to NGOs, archeological sites, museums and more.
The Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Morocco program consists of two tracks: Arabic Language and Culture and Modern Middle Eastern Studies.
Programme
Track I: Arabic Language and Culture
Lectures on various topics by Moroccan experts, covering history, politics, migration, religion, and gender, spanning over a century of Moroccan history.
Study trips to cultural and societal sites, including fieldwork in rural Morocco, with reflective reports on assigned readings.
Intermediate level course focusing on speaking assignments, discussions, and presentations.
Reading short stories in Modern Standard Arabic to familiarize students with Arabic literature and improve reading skills.
Reading various media texts and watching videos in Modern Standard Arabic to improve grammatical knowledge, reading, and listening strategies.
Training in writing skills in Modern Standard Arabic, including translation from English to Arabic.
Track II: Modern Middle Eastern Studies
Lectures on various topics by Moroccan experts, covering history, politics, migration, religion, and gender, spanning over a century of Moroccan history.
Study trips to cultural and societal sites, including fieldwork in rural Morocco, with reflective reports on assigned readings.
Intensive training in qualitative research methods, including creating a research project and conducting fieldwork, with in-class and written assignments.
Beginner's introduction to Moroccan Arabic, covering grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills.
Taught at beginner's and intermediate levels, focusing on vocabulary expansion, grammar, and overall reading and listening skills improvement.
Prior to the start of the semester, students are invited to participate in an online placement test with our Arabic teachers to determine the level. If there is interest among students, NIMAR may also offer French Language Instruction in the spring semester (intermediate level). Please contact us for more information.
About NIMAR
The NIMAR is the Dutch expertise centre for Moroccan Studies. From 2016 NIMAR is an integral part of the Faculty of Humanities of Leiden University, complying with the high standards for education as set by the Dutch Ministry of Education. NIMAR offers courses, organises lectures, facilitates research, and actively contributes to the knowledge of Moroccan languages, cultures and society in the Netherlands. NIMAR’s main aim is to offer students from the Netherlands opportunities to study and do research in Morocco and in the wider North African and Middle Eastern area. It is also actively involved in collecting books, electronic and audiovisual materials form the Arab world for the libraries of Leiden University.
About Rabat
Rabat is the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. It is a well-organised city on the Atlantic coast, which offers a pleasant and safe environment to acquaint students with living in North Africa and the Middle East. Its has good cultural and scholarly facilities, housing major teaching and research institutions, libraries, museums, bookstores etc. Rabat has its own airport and offers good connections to all other parts of Morocco. It is about one hour by train from Casablanca, which has the biggest international airport in Morocco.
The NIMAR offers students the option of a home stay with a family in Rabat. Alternatively students may prefer to rent their own apartment, in which the NIMAR can also assist. Cultural activities will be organised alongside the course curriculum, providing additional opportunities for students to enrich their experience and understanding of Moroccan society.
Practical information
Duration: February – June
Credits: 30 EC
Language of instruction: English
Admission
All BA students in their 2nd or 3rd year with an interest in Arabic language learning, humanities or the social sciences, specifically in Morocco. Students of various backgrounds are most welcome.
For registration, please write to the email below to receive a registration form and further instructions.