Examining the (mis)match between Arabic language and literature curriculum and students needs

Curriculum is the most significant factor influencing the performance of graduate students in higher education and needs to be planned in a way to be responsive to scientific, personal, social and job needs of graduate students. To enhance and strengthen the curriculum in higher education, it needs to be fundamentally evaluated and if necessary, some modifications be made in accordance with various and changing needs of the students. The aim of the present study is to investigate the degree of fit between Arabic language and literature curriculum and scientific, personal, social and job needs of students. The research method of the present study was descriptive survey. The research tool was a questionnaire which included 51 questions examining the match between Arabic language and literature curriculum and students’ needs. The statistical population and the sample of the study were the same including all first-grade students at M.A level in educational year 2016-2017 in Arabic language and literature in Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and universities of Shiraz, Esfahan and Mazandaran. In the present study, the statistical indices like frequency, percentage, mean, variance and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the match between Arabic language and literature curriculum and students’ needs is lower than the average level. In other words, the mentioned curriculum is not responsive to the students’ needs.