MAJOR IN PERSIAN STUDIES:
B.A. in Persian Studies
The 36-credit major in Persian Studies (12 courses) will provide students with a solid background in linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of the study of Persian, inclusive of the cultures of Iran, Afghanistan, Persian-speaking Central Asia, and the Persian diaspora. Students will work toward competence in speaking, reading, writing, and listening; students will study the evolution of Iranian and Persianate cultures in their diverse perspectives, practices, and products. They will become conversant with the contemporary political and daily life of Persian-speaking peoples, with cultural comparison implicit throughout their 4 years.
The B.A. in Persian Studies prepares students for a range of professional opportunities, including careers in government, education, the arts, business, and communication. We expect that many undergraduates will choose to double major or do a double degree in Persian and another subject, including arts and humanities majors, business, computer science, engineering, and journalism.
All students planning to pursue the Major in Persian Studies should contact the undergraduate advisor for Persian, who will be responsible for placement, oversight, and record keeping. A grade of 2.0 or better is required in all courses.
Prerequisites (8 credits):
PERS 101 Elementary Persian I (4 credits)
PERS 102 Elementary Persian II (4 credits)
There are no prerequisites for students with equivalent knowledge.
Courses required for major (in cases where a student has equivalent knowledge, required language-focus credits are replaced in consultation with UG advisor. This may include courses in Arabic for those students who intend to study Persian literature in Persian, as Arabic is integral to the history of Persian literature.)
Core sequence (18 credits)
All prerequisites imply “or equivalent knowledge.”
PERS 201 Intermediate Persian I (prereq 102)
PERS 211 Intermediate Conversation (coreq201)
PERS 202 Intermediate Persian II (prereq 201/211)
PERS 212 Intermediate Reading (coreq 202)
PERS 301 Advanced Persian I (prereq 202/212)
PERS 302 Advanced Persian II (prereq 301)
Upper-level electives in Persian (at least 6 credits)
PERS 311 Persian Media (pre-coreq 301)
PERS 312 Iranian Culture (prereq 301)
PERS 401 Persian Composition (prereq 302)
PERS 402 Persian Translation (prereq 302)
PERS 411 Readings in Modern Iranian History and Culture (prereq 302)
PERS 412 Language and Identity (prereq 302)
PERS 452 Modern Persian Literature: A Survey (prereq 302)
PERS 453 Classical Persian Literature: A Survey (prereq: 302 and 6 credits Arabic)
PERS 498 Special Topics in Persian Studies
PERS 499 Special Topics in Persian Literature
Electives in English (up to 12 credits; no prerequisites)
PERS 250 Contemporary Iranian Arts (HA/D)
PERS 251 Modern Iran (SH/D)
PERS 283 Iranian Cinema (HA-HO/D)
PERS 353 Iranian Life in Literature and Film (D)
PERS 371 Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation (D)
PERS 372 The History of Persian (D)
PERS 441 Islam in Iran (D)
Courses in Middle Eastern Studies taught in English outside the Dept. may be substituted on approval of UG advisor.
Supporting Area (9 credits)
Students must take 9 upper-level credits in a single area of study outside Persian Studies as a complement to their major. Plan should be cleared with the UG advisor upon declaring of major. Double majors and minors fulfill this requirement.
MINOR IN PERSIAN STUDIES
This 15-credit minor will provide students with a background in linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of the study of Persian, including the cultures of Iran, Afghanistan, Persian-speaking Central Asia, and the Persian diaspora. Students will work toward linguistic competence in speaking, reading, writing, and listening; students will be introduced to Iranian culture in its diverse perspectives, practices, and products.
The Minor in Persian Studies complements a range of professions, including careers in education, engineering, government, journalism, the arts, business, and communication.
A minimum of 9 credits must be earned through courses taught in Persian. Up to 6 may be earned from PERS courses taught in English. A minimum of 9 credits must be at the upper level. All courses presented for the minor must be passed with a grade of 2.0 or better.
A maximum of 6 credits may be applied to the minor from courses taken at other institutions. No more than 6 credits of the minor may be used to satisfy the requirements of a major. No courses applied to the minor may count toward another minor. All students planning to pursue the Minor in Persian Studies should contact the undergraduate advisor for Persian, who will be responsible for oversight and record keeping.
Prerequisites (14 credits):
Courses listed in italics are under development.
PERS 101 Elementary Persian I (4 credits)
PERS 102 Elementary Persian II (4 credits)
PERS 201 Intermediate Persian I
PERS 211 Intermediate Conversation
There are no prerequisites for students with equivalent knowledge.
Course requirements:
- Courses taught in Persian (at least 9 credits)
All prerequisites imply “or equivalent knowledge.”
PERS 202 Intermediate Persian II (prereq 201/211)
PERS 212 Intermediate Reading (coreq 202)
PERS 301 Advanced Persian I (prereq 202/212)
PERS 302 Advanced Persian II (prereq 301)
PERS 311 Persian Media (pre-coreq 301)
PERS 312 Iranian Culture (prereq 301)
PERS 401 Persian Composition (prereq 302)
PERS 402 Persian Translation (prereq 302)
PERS 411 Readings in Modern Iranian History and Culture (prereq 302)
PERS 412 Language and Identity (prereq 302)
PERS 452 Modern Persian Literature: A Survey (prereq 302)
PERS 453 Classical Persian Literature: A Survey (prereq: 6 credits Arabic)
PERS 498 Special Topics in Persian Studies
PERS 499 Special Topics in Persian Literature
2. CPS Courses Taught in English (up to 6 credits; no prerequisites)
PERS 250 Contemporary Iranian Arts (HA/D)
PERS 251 Modern Iran (SH/D)
PERS 283 Iranian Cinema (HA-HO/D)
PERS 353 Iranian Life in Literature and Film (D)
PERS 371 Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation (D)
PERS 372 The History of Persian (D)
PERS 441 Islam in Iran (D)
PERS 498 Special Topics in Persian Studies
PERS 499 Special Topics in Persian Literature
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MAJOR IN PERSIAN STUDIES COURSEWORK:
1. Persian Language and Literature Courses
PERS 351 Advanced Persian: Literary Texts (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 202, PERS 211, or permission of department. Reading and discussion of selected Persian literary works from the modern era (1900 and on), discussion of the work in Persian, written assignments.
PERS 352 Advanced Persian: Expository Texts (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 202, PERS 211 or permission of department. Reading and discussion of selected works of Persian expository writing from the modern era (1900-present), discussion of the work in Persian, written assignments.
PERS 451 Survey of Persian Literature (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. Selected short texts from modern and classical Persian poetry and prose. Provides insights into Iranian culture and its past and present achievements in literature. Prepares students for a more comprehensive and critical study of Persian literature.
PERS 452 Modern Persian Literature: A Survey (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. Examines development of poetry and prose after the Persian-speaking world absorbed the impact of Western cultures. Periods and genres. Works of such authors as Jamalzadeh, Hedayat, Dehkhoda, Nima, Al-e Ahmad, Sepehri, and Farrokhzad.
PERS 453 Classical Persian Literature: A Survey (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. Studies the history of Persian literature from Rudaki to Hafiz. Explores epic, lyric, and mystic traditions and texts in their historical settings. Covers the most important genres such as the Qasida, the Ghazal, the Ruba`i, and the Masnavi.
PERS 454 The Epic Tradition in Iran (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. Focuses on the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi: explores the ancient legends that gave rise to it and follows the fortunes of epic poetry after Ferdowsi, touching on the rise, development, and decline of romance in classical Persian literature.
PERS 455 The Persian Ghazal (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. The Ghazal as the leading medium for lyrical expression in classical Persian tradition. Follows this genre from conception to culmination in the poetry of Hafiz. Conventions and devices of the Ghazal. Development placed in historical and social context.
PERS 498 Independent Study in Persian (1-3)
Work varies with number of credits. Directed study and reading and of various Persian texts with the purpose of examining specific issues involved in Persian studies. Prerequisite: a minimum of two upper level Persian literature courses (PERS 451-455) or permission of department. Special work in literary texts and traditions for graduates and undergraduates.
PERS 499 Undergraduate Research in Persian Studies (1-3)
A research based version of PERS 498. Student's work culminates in the writing of an extensive research essay exploring a specific theme, topic, or period. Prerequisite: a PERS 498 or permission of department. Special work in literary texts and traditions for graduates and undergraduates
RICPS Courses Taught in English
PERS 371 Introduction to Persian Literature (3)
No prerequisites.
Designed to familiarize students with masterworks of Persian literature, both classical and modern, through translated works. Explores the history of Persian literature in the Islamic era. Explores works by Ferdowsi, Nezami, Rumi, and Hafez, as well as those by modern authors like Jamalzadeh, Hedayat, Nima and Farrokhzad.
PERS 372 Iranian Culture and Civilization (3)
No prerequisites. Explores the culture and civilization of this Middle Eastern society through a multi-disciplinary approach that includes such manifestations as architecture, carpet weaving, story telling, and the composition of poetry.
PERS 373 Iranian Life in Literature and Film (3)
No prerequisites. Major themes of Iranian life treated in modern narrative and cinema. Topics include Iranian identity, religious traditions, modern Iranian life, and the emergence of Iranian expatriate communities.
Courses Offered by Other Departments of the University of Maryland
A. Second Middle Eastern Language Option
ARAB 101 Elementary Arabic I
ARAB 102 Elementary Arabic II
ARAB 210 Intermediate Arabic I
ARAB 202 Intermediate Arabic II
ARAB 221 The Arab World Today through Readings in Translation
HEBR 111 Elementary Hebrew 1 (6)
HEBR 112 Elementary Hebrew II (6)
HEBR 211 Intermediate Hebrew I (6)
HEBR 212 Intermediate Hebrew II (6)
HEBR 313 Conversation and Composition I
HEBR 314 Conversation and Composition II
HEBR 381 Advanced Conversation and Composition
HEBR 382 Readings in Hebrew Newspapers and Periodicals
HEBR 498 Special Topics in Hebrew (where relevant)
B. Non-Language Option
ARCH 436 History of Islamic ArchitectureGVPT 447 Islamic Political Philosophy
GVPT 455 Contemporary Middle Eastern Politics
GVPT 485 Government and Politics of the Middle East
HIST 120 Islamic Civilization
HIST 390 Middle East I
HIST 391 Middle East II
HIST 392 History of the Contemporary Middle East
HIST 492 Women and Society in the Middle East
MINOR IN PERSIAN STUDIES COURSEWORK:
1. Persian Language and Literature Courses
PERS 211 Reading and Writing for Native Speakers (4)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Accelerated reading and writing course designed for students with some previous exposure to the language, such as heritage students, with emphasis on the formal mode and grammar.
PERS 301 Advanced Persian: Literary Texts (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 202, PERS 211, or permission of department. Reading and discussion of selected Persian literary works from the modern era (1900 and on), discussion of the work in Persian, written assignments.
PERS 302 Advanced Persian: Expository Texts (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 202, PERS 211 or permission of department. Reading and discussion of selected works of Persian expository writing from the modern era (1900-present), discussion of the work in Persian, written assignments.
PERS 451 Survey of Persian Literature (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. Selected short texts from modern and classical Persian poetry and prose. Provides insights into Iranian culture and its past and present achievements in literature. Prepares students for a more comprehensive and critical study of Persian literature.
PERS 452 Modern Persian Literature: A Survey (3)
Prerequisite: PERS 301 or permission of department. Development of poetry and prose after the Persian-speaking world absorbed the impact of Western cultures. Periods and genres. Works of such authors as Jamalzadeh, Hedayat, Dehkhoda, Nima, Al-e Ahmad, Sepehri, and Farrokhzad.
2. RICPS Courses Taught in English
PERS 371 Introduction to Persian Literature (3)
No prerequisites.Designed to familiarize students with masterworks of Persian literature, both classical and modern, through translated works. Explores the history of Persian literature in the Islamic era. Explores works by Ferdowsi, Nezami, Rumi, and Hafez, as well as those by modern authors like Jamalzadeh, Hedayat, Nima and Farrokhzad.
PERS 372 Iranian Culture and Civilization (3)
No prerequisites. Explores the culture and civilization of this Middle Eastern society through a multi-disciplinary approach that includes such manifestations as architecture, carpet weaving, story telling, and the composition of poetry.
PERS 373 Iranian Life in Literature and Film (3)
No prerequisites. Major themes of Iranian life treated in modern narrative and cinema. Topics include Iranian identity, religious traditions, modern Iranian life, and the emergence of Iranian expatriate communities.
3. Courses Offered by Other Departments of the University of Maryland
ARCH 436 History of Islamic Architecture
GVPT 447 Islamic Political Philosophy
GVPT 455 Contemporary Middle Eastern Politics
GVPT 485 Government and Politics of the Middle East
HIST 120 Islamic Civilization
HIST 390 Middle East I
HIST 391 Middle East II
HIST 392 History of the Contemporary Middle East
HIST 492 Women and Society in the Middle East
