Department of English Language and Literature

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Open Access
A Descriptive Study of Students and Teachers Attitudes About the Impact of Target Language Culture on ESP Students Reading Comprehension. Case Study: Third Year Students at Social Sciences Department.
(UNIVERSITÉ MOHAMED BOUDIAF - M’SILA, 2024-06) Ikram SEGHIOUR; Sara FATHI
This study aims to explore the impact of target language culture on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students' reading comprehension, focusing specifically on third-year students at the Social Sciences Department. Employing a descriptive research method, this investigation seeks to gauge both students' and teachers' perspectives and attitudes towards this phenomenon. To achieve this, questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 49 students and 5 teachers from the Social Sciences Department, chosen through a random sampling method. The questionnaires aimed to elicit insights into how target language culture influences students' reading comprehension and how teachers perceive its impact on instructional practices. The findings indicate that target language culture significantly influences ESP students' reading comprehension by providing contextual clues, enhancing vocabulary acquisition, and fostering deeper cultural understanding. However, challenges such as cultural barriers and linguistic complexities were identified by both students and teachers. In consideration of these findings, recommendations are proposed to assist students in overcoming these challenges, including integrating cultural content into ESP curriculum and providing explicit instruction on cultural nuances. Additionally, suggestions for teachers are offered to enhance their pedagogical approaches and incorporate cultural elements into reading comprehension tasks effectively. By addressing these recommendations, ESP students can better navigate and comprehend texts within the target language culture, ultimately enhancing their language proficiency and cultural competence
Open Access
ABSURDISM AND MORAL DECAY IN DON DELILLO’S WHITE NOISE
(2020-06) Chaima FOUDIH, Maroua Rihab GUERROUDJ
The present study addresses moral decay and faith crisis in Don DeLillo’s White Noise. That is by the reference to the philosophies of Absurdism, Nihilism and Existentialism along with Jean Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacrum. These thoughts share common concerns such as the human morality, anxiety, death, alienation, absurdity, nothingness and denial. Hence, the aim of this study is to explore images of Absurdism and Nihilism, along with Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacrum in the novel. To achieve this aim, the study examines how White Noise portrays the meaninglessness and the moral decay in the postmodern era. In a nutshell, the research focuses on capitalism, media, materialism, and consumerism, along with fear of death as the promoters of meaning and spiritual vacuum.
Open Access
Adopting Partnership in Learning, Teaching, and Assessment as a Strategy to Foster the EFL Learning Process: The Case of Third Year English Language Learners, Mohammed Boudiaf University, M’sila
(2018-06) Imane ZIAM, Malika BELHADJ
iv ABSTRACT The present study investigates the effectiveness of partnership in learning, teaching, and assessment in improving the English language learning process of English department students at M'sila university. It also attempts to shed light on the importance of establishing a relaxed and friendly environment in reducing psychological problems and increasing the learners’ motivation. The study aims to raise the awareness of teachers and students about the importance of partnership in learning, teaching, and assessment in facilitating the learning process. This investigation was conducted among the third year students of English department of M'sila university. It was based on the use of the descriptive research where data were collected both qualitatively through classroom observation and quantitatively through questionnaire. The findings revealed that treating students as partners increases their sense of responsibility and their level of engagement; and hence, promoting their learning. It also revealed that teachers and students awareness of the importance of such relationship provides them with better learning and teaching experiences. This research tackled descriptively one area of partnership, so further research suggests the use of experimental research to prove the applicability of this strategy and widen it to other areas of partnership which are subject-based research and inquiry, scholarship of teaching and learning, curriculum design and pedagogical consultancy.
Open Access
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: THE TROJAN HORSE IN THE AMERICAN LEGISTLATIVE STRUCTURE
(UNIVERSITY OF MOHAMED BOUDIAF, 2021-06) Ali ZITOUNI, Omrane NOUIBAT
The following study aims to highlight and explore in greater depth the rationale behind the societal and legislative backlash against Affirmative Action in the United States. The very nature of the topic justifies the need for a blended approach: the descriptive as well as the analytical. The descriptive level in the study is used to provide a better understanding of the socio-historical context of Affirmative Action and also to highlight the underlying rational behind adopting a radical policy as such in order to ensue justice for minorities and women, whereas the analytical approach, in turn, is used to cross-examine the strengths and weaknesses of the policy vis-à-vis the various liberal theories and the rulings in some of the key ad hoc Supreme Court cases. The assessment of various pertinent studies and related literary works revealed that the application of Affirmative Action in the United States is facing an existential threat due to the fact that its popularity is declining among the new generation of Americans who apparently hold different perceptions of equality and justice, in addition to the fact that it has greatly lost the unconditional political and Judicial support that it previously had amid the 1960s.
Open Access
The AFRICAN TRAGEDY IN CHINUA ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART
(2017-06) Rima, BENNIA
ABSTRACT Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart marks a very important milestone in African literature. It has received global critical acclaim. The novel dramatizes precolonial and postcolonial Igbo life. Through Achebe’s narrative discourse, one can assume the distinction between the two cultures, the culture of the colonizer and the culture of the colonized, as well as the tragic events caused by the coming of the white man. Therefore, the aim of this research is to study African tragedy in Things Fall Apart. It examines Achebe’s postcolonial counter discourse to express the tragedy of a man and his people. Hence, the first chapter introduces the sociohistorical context of the novel. It sheds light on the different social, historical, and literary contexts that surrounded the writing of the novel. The second chapter involves the narrative discourse and stylistic techniques employed by the writer. The third chapter employs postcolonial literary criticism to approach the novel. Thus, we conclude that Things Fall Apart is one of the major literary and cultural works in the African canon. It explores the destructive aftermath of the advent of the white man, and the tragedy of the hero Okonkwo that implies the tragedy of the whole Umofian society in particular and the plight of Africa and Africans in general.
Open Access
Alienation and Identity Crisis in Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss
(2021-06) Amal HAOUACHE, Jihad GUIA
This dissertation attempts to study Kiran Desai‟s novel The Inheritance of Loss which is considered as a true representation of the postcolonial period. In particular, this study aims to analyze and investigate the way selected characters (the Judge, Jemubhai and the cook‟s son, Biju) move from a local to a global world suggesting displacement, which eventually results in alienation and identity crisis. Based on this, the research methodology that was applied is post-colonialism. The dissertation is divided into two chapters. The first chapter involves historical and theoretical background knowledge. While, the second chapter centers on the analysis of the novel focusing on the issues of alienation and identity crisis of the characters with accordance to Homi Bhabha conceptions of Mimicry, Hybridity and Ambivalence.
Open Access
The American Foreign Policy towards Iran during Obama’s Presidency (2009-2017)
(2017-06) HAMOUMA, Chahrazad
Abstract The United States of America (U.S.A) presented itself as the worldwide power which interfered in the internal affairs of many countries such as Iran. Iran was considered as a threat to the international security due to its enrichment of the nuclear program, this made the US adopt several policies for limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The current thesis presents a comprehensive investigation and analysis about the bilateral relationship between the US and Iran. The purpose of this study is to analyze the foreign policy adopted by Barack Obama towards Iran, examine the effectiveness and the outcomes of his policy, and compare his policy towards Iran with some previous president’s policies. This research uses the historical and analytical approaches for collecting and analyzing data. The study findings revealed that Obama adopted some strategies that focused primarily on imposing political and economic sanctions against Iran, but later on he shifted to the strategy of negotiations and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. In addition, the study indicated that Obama could elaborate a direct engagement between U.S and Iran that made the relation between the two countries better; thanks to the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action”, which legitimized the use of the nuclear weapons only in peaceful conditions. Moreover, the study revealed that the policy of Obama which relied also on the power of engagement and negotiations was better compared to Clinton and Bush’s policies; this is due to the fact that the previous policies were more confrontational.
Open Access
American National Identity in Crevecoeur’s Letters from an American Farmer Letter Three as a Case Study
(2018-06) Ammari Hanifa Wafa, and Benyounes Hana.
ABSTRACT The present dissertation is intended to examine the theme of American National Identity in Crevecoeur’s Letters from an American Farmer. It aims at providing a historical background about the era in which the work was achieved. It focuses on portraying Crevecoeur’s view of major enlightenment principles. This study reflects a positive image given by the author concerning the new man “American” by tackling the meaning of Personal and National Identity. Throughout the letters, the sense of nationalism for European Countries had disappeared, so American Nationalism as a concept is discussed as well as in this work. A deep analysis is given to the third letter “What is an American”, all the way through giving much importance to how American National Identity was built in the new found land by applying New Historicism theory. In order to find answers to the proposed research questions, Historical and Analytical approaches are to be used. The result of this study shows that John de Crevecoeur’s third letter is a true representation of the reflection of the American Enlightenment basis: Deism, liberation, republicanism and toleration. As a writer, Crevecoeur might have succeeded in his presentation of depicting American National Identity along with Nationalism during the Enlightenment era. Besides.
Open Access
American Women’s Oppression in Sylvia Plath’s Novel The Bell Jar
(2017-06) BELHADDAD, Hassina
V Abstract The aim of this work is to discuss the notion of female oppression in literature by looking to The Bell Jar. In order to discuss this notion we looked to the representation of female oppression in literature and the different cultures represented in the novel during the 1960s. The Bell Jar represents the American cold war history with regards to female gender identity by looking to the madness of the world. It investigates the struggle of women to achieve personalized identities. Feminist and psychoanalytic theories are employed to assess strategies of female identity formation by looking to the psychology of the protagonist of the novel Esther Greenwood. Furthermore through using those theories different models of sexuality and female dissatisfaction are defined as illnesses treatable by psychology. In this context, Esther search for a self with whom she can identify becomes the novel’s main question to follow her mother advice or to accept living in the patriarchal society dominated by the man.
Open Access
Angel or Demon? The Child in Contemporary Fiction: Ian McEwan’s Atonement
(2020-06) Aida YAHI, Manal AMROUNE
Childhood is the most memorable time in anyone’s life. It is the starting point of all our stories and adventures, and the origin of most of our persistent sadness, hopelessness, and buried worries. Therefore, this thesis addresses the problematic representation of children in contemporary fiction, such as Ian McEwan’s Atonement. Moreover, this study provides a view on the theoretical framework that encompasses the emergence of the concept of childhood. It discusses various literary depictions of children from the medieval period to the postmodern era in order to understand its significant changes over time, as well as the reasons behind the shift in such representations. Furthermore, this study examines the psychological development of Atonement’s protagonist through Freudian concepts in addition to the development stages proposed by Erik Erikson in order to understand her fears, insecurities, disturbing behaviors, and her feelings of guilt and atonement. It further explores the protagonist Briony Tallis as a representative of the child image in contemporary fiction so as to find out whether she is an angel or demon, or a mixture of both. To achieve this goal, the psychoanalytic approach is used, mainly Freud’s “Family Romance,” and Erikson’s stages of development.
Open Access
Anti-Consumerism in Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie
(2020-06) Imane SETTA, Asma BOUKARI
This paper examines the notion of what capitalism and consumer culture have meant to individuals throughout the history of the developement of American society. As to fully understand the reasons of the creation of this notion. This study takes a closer look what is consumerism ideology and its results and how this ideology did affect people from diffrent classes. Furthermore the study makes evident that the developement of the American society and the American economy will force people to reevaluate the old values in order to survive in the competitive society. Eventualy this study places a particular focus on the consumer culture in Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie. The novel selected is thus studied thematically. Literature can not be detached from historical and social setting; it has been. And will continue to be, a register of political and historical turmoil. That is why, the first chapter highlights the socio-historical issues and realities that surrounded and affected the writing of the novel and examines the ideologies widespread in America that time. While the second chapter, it examines how the writer as anti-capitalist attacked consumerism demonstrating its negative effects on individuals lives. Our objective here is to map how Theodore Dreiser criticizes the consumer society and people’s willingness to do anything in order to succeed even if their actions were against moral values.
Open Access
The Arab Spring and the U.S. Democracy Promotion: Egypt as case study
(2017-06) FATMI, Chahra
I Abstract Democracy promotion is considered as a policy that is adopted by many developed countries. It has been used in their foreign policy; one of them is the United States. This latter has pretended to promote democracy to the rest of the world. The present research aims to examine whether the United States is really using this principle to promote democracy abroad, or just to preserve its interests. Also, the work highlights the U.S. intervention in the Middle East during Bush and Obama administrations. This study tries to reveal the contradiction between the U.S. values and interests, taking Egypt as a case study. It sheds light on the Egyptian uprising, which has shown the opposite of what the U.S. has pretended to spread. To investigate the topic, the descriptive method was used. The results of the research show that the relationship between the United States and Arab countries is one of power, and one of achieving benefits. This relation has put U.S. interests first, and applied universal values selectively.
Open Access
The Arab Spring in Syria and the Human Rights’ Violation
(2017-06) Oumessaad, BERKANI
Abstract The Arab world has witnessed a series of civil wars since 2010 in which citizens started their uprising for the concept of human dignity .In this thesis, Syria was the chosen model because of the brutal crackdown and the massive human rights’ violation held in its terrain. In 2011, Syrians were inspired by the success of revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. They began their demonstration peacefully then it was transformed into an armed conflict .The results of this bloody struggle were and still immense .It led to the flow of immigration to neighboring countries .Meanwhile, the Syrian war has become a hot issue that pushed the external forces to intervene and to find the routes toward a possible resolution. The main purpose of this research is to shed light on the violations and crimes against humanity. To do so, the descriptive method seems more appropriate to explain the circumstances of the war and to describe the human rights’ violation in Syria. The conduction of this research helped us to conclude that the world’s attempts toward finding a solution to the Syrian ongoing civil war are still taking place, and the Arab Spring was just a motto since the Syrians have not achieved any success up till now. Thus, the Arab Spring seems to be as an Arab Winter for Syria.
Open Access
Archetypal Allegory: Harry Potter as the Modern-day Moses. A Comparative Study
(UNIVERSITY OF MOHAMED BOUDIAF- M’SILA, 2024-06) YAGOUBI Messaouda; DJAAFER Amira
This dissertation employs Archetypal Criticism to explore the portrayal of Harry Potter as a modern-day Prophet Moses in J.K. Rowling's renowned series. Through a comparative analysis, it delves into the shared Hero archetype manifested in both Potter and Moses’s narratives , unraveling their parallel journeys of destiny, adversity, and redemption. Drawing from mythological and religious symbolism, this study examines how Potter embodies characteristics of Moses (peace be upon him), such as his call to adventure, the guidance of mentors, and the confrontation of dark forces. By examining the narrative structure, character development, and thematic elements, this research clarifies the profound resonance between the two figures across religious, cultural and historical contexts. Ultimately, it argues that Harry Potter serves as a contemporary embodiment of the timeless Hero archetype, echoing the enduring significance of mythological motifs in shaping cultural narratives and identities
Open Access
ASSESSING THE COLLOCATIONAL COMPETENCE OF ENGLISH EFL :A Case study of Third Year LMD Students of English at M’sila University
(2019-07-15) Karouche Samiha, Korichi Imane
Abstract Despite its prime importance for language proficiency, collocational competence is one of the most neglected areas in vocabulary studies and second language learning and teaching. This negligence is the underlying reason for writing the present research. Hence, the research paper aims at assessing students’ collocational competence and raising awareness of the importance of this significant dimension of vocabulary knowledge and presenting a well-rounded view of this lexical phenomenon. To this end, the paper gives a concise introduction to the topic, and offers an overview of relevant classification and definitions of collocations. This is followed by different approaches to define it and its importance for language learning. The last part presents an assessment for 3rd year LMD student’s collocational knowledge, concluded by a number of recommendations that English language instructors can implement in their classroom. Special tests were designed to assess collocational competence. The results showed that the collocational competence of third year LMD students at the department of English was generally unsatisfactory.
Open Access
Authorial Stance in EFL Master Dissertations Discussions: A Corpus-Based Study. Case of Master Two Students at M’sila University
(2021-06) Yassamine DJAIDJA, Amina Aicha MABROUKI
The research into the rhetorical functions that allow for interpersonal communication in academic writing has shown a great deal of interest in EFL learners’ academic production. In the light of that, this present study attempts to explore the use of metadiscourse in Algerian EFL novice writers’ dissertations as a linguistic recourse to convey their attitude, judgment, and presence to project their authorial stance. The study aims to investigate the projection and conception of authorial stance by M’sila University Master 2 Linguistics students. It additionally seeks to shed light on students’ awareness of this intersubjective positioning and teachers’ thoughts about it as the main audience of students’ writing. This comparative corpus-based study adopted Hyland’s (2005) model of interaction as a framework for studying stance in a corpus of 80 research discussion sections, half of which are written by students and half by expert writers. The data from this study undertook qualitative and quantitative analysis assessed by a concordance toolkit. Two questionnaires were designed to gather the data needed from students and teachers. The findings revealed that students use stance markers differently than expert writers. The quantitative analysis showed that they employed fewer instances and forms of stance, especially in the expression of self-mention and hedges, while the qualitative analysis showed that students hold an overly assertive yet impersonal conception of stance. Furthermore, students were found to lack awareness of the concept of authorial stance and the use of stance markers, and teachers acknowledged the importance of and disclosed that they considered it while evaluating students’ dissertations; however they did not expect students to show their presence. Hence, this study raises teachers and students’ awareness to its subject matter, highlights the importance of authorial stance, and asks for the explicit teaching of stance taking to EFL novice students in their academic writing
Open Access
Baccalaureate Exam Scores as Predictor of First Year EFL Students’ Achievement The Case of First Year Students at M'sila University
(2019-07-15) - Miss.SARAAcheb
Abstract The present study investigates students’ perception oftheir scores and the transition they undergo from high school to college in FL classes in the Department of English at M’sila University. Assessment is a vital instrument for enhancing teaching and learning. In order to test our hypotheses, the researcher used correlational survey research. The data is gathered through the use of one questionnaire administered to forty (40) students of English in order to collect their attitudes and responses about assessment, Educational transition and its relationship with scores. The sample is chosen randomly. The results of analysis indicate that students have no idea about assessment although they have chosen English as personal choice to study at university; they did not know even how the curriculum is working. Moreover; they did not know exactly their purposes of studying English. The results show that students have faced different levels of psychological and academic problems. Multiple changes have to be introduced at both high school and freshmen years to help learners adapt to the requirements of highereducation.
Open Access
Bella’s Stereotyped Role through Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight
(2017-06) Abir, KHELIFI
This dissertation examines the restoration of the patriarchal system, along with woman’s oppression and psychological repression through Twilight, a story written by the American novelist, Stephenie Meyer. This scrutiny is significant in the fact that it brings to the surface patriarchal oppression of a protagonist inscribed in the world of vampirism. Throughout the story and from feminist and psychoanalytical point of view, the protagonist Bella Swan is apparently restricted to a feminine role, including her appearance, her thoughts, and her behaviours with males. Then, she is exposed to the consequences of the classical gender role. She is physically, economically, and psychologically oppressed. Therefore, this examination aims to analyse the character of Bella and show the disparity between her and her lover, Edward Cullen. Moreover, this research intends to exhibit the negative impacts of patriarchy, regarding the Otherness and the psychological oppression of Bella, individually and socially. To achieve these goals, this study called for two theories: the feminist standpoint of Simone de Beauvoir’s the Second Sex which helps identifying Bella’s gender alienation in a male dominated society. In addition to the Freudian psychoanalytical perspective that studies the function of Bella’s psyche, as well as her traumatic psychology which is induced by her inferior status. After investigation, it has been revealed that Bella is inhibited by her stereotypical female role. She is physically and psychologically oppressed. In other words, she is subjugated in a patriarchal world
Open Access
Between Social Evolution and Political Revolution: The Struggle for the Soul of Feminism in Algeria between 1999-2019
(UNIVERSITY OF MOHAMED BOUDIAF, 2021-06) Guesmia, Nesrine
Abstract Algerian culture was backward and underdeveloped, especially in terms of attitudes and behaviours towards women. Since Algerian culture in the late 19th century was conservative and patriarchal, based on a form of Islamic law that favoured male families, the Algerian women's feminist movement was developing towards women's rights in Algerian culture. Especially after colonization, Algerian women are considered combatants. Although most of the attention paid to Algerian women during the war focused on the most prominent urban fighters, they were a minority: only a small percentage of women carried out terrorist attacks or armed combatants. Algerians misappropriated women's identities for ideological purposes, making these women's voices part of the true discourse on the war after independence. They then occupy the public sphere, participate in politics, and occupy a key position in government. Furthermore, this research aims to show the struggle of the Algerian feminist soul from 1999 to 20199. Our present study is divided into two main chapters in which we made a general overview about feminism definition. We also, discussed the emergence of feminism movement in Algerian . Furthermore the second chapter deals with the Feminist movement under Bouteflika rules between 1999-2019 and the rules which support them .
Open Access
Christian Dogma and American Modern Feminism
(2017-06) Saadi Oumama, Gasmi Lamria
Abstract Feminism is a belief that refers to social, political, and economic equal rights and opportunities between male and female that started in 1960’s and lasted until 1980’s. Religion has been one of the most powerful institutions involved in shaping people’s beliefs, attitudes, values, and behavior. Few scholars, however, both in China and in the United States, have ever focused on this topic. This thesis studies feminism in relation with religions, it specifies with Christianity as a main subject for this work. It contains the necessary information to understand how feminism as new movement is constructed with Christianity which always considers patriarchy as a central element in the life of Church. However, it seeks to show the way Church treats women in the old and modern era and the Bible's view on them, it also presents the roles women played to achieve their God's satisfaction whereas in Church, in their families, with their husbands, relatives and in the whole community. Besides that, this thesis provides the achievements that some women figures realized through politics, religion as well as literary writings. This piece of research relied most on two methods: the historical and descriptive approaches.