The multidisciplinary Minor in Persian Studies attracts students from a diverse variety of majors and interests that intersect with the broadly defined Persian Studies Program, including: Classics, Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Archaeology, History, Anthropology, Foreign Language pedagogy, Linguistics, Business, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, Journalism, Music, and Arts. The Minor program provides the opportunity to create an ideal environment that combines academic coursework for a highly diverse student body and cultural outreach programs responsive to supportive Persian speaking communities. This program would play a vital role as an educational resource and as an emissary of understanding between Persian speaking cultures and other societies.
Program Scope
The minor in Persian Studies is a multidisciplinary program for students seeking greater knowledge and understanding of Persian/Iranian language, culture, history, society, and politics from ancient to contemporary times. Especially when coupled with competence in the Persian language, the minor will be useful to students planning careers in such fields as university teaching, businesses of various sorts, international organizations, government agencies, and diplomatic service.
The minor consists of 18-22 units. A core of one 5-unit course and three 3-unit courses, or four 3-unit courses, and an elective group of two 3- or 4-unit courses will complete the minor, with at least one course focusing on Pre-Islamic periods (indicated by * in the list of courses below) and at least one course focusing on the Post-Islamic periods.
Minor Requirements
Language Requirements
PRSN 101 and 260 are required, though PRSN 101 will be waived for students who can demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing Persian.
Students who take PRSN 101 will select two additional courses from a list of three core courses and students who test out of PRSN 101 will take all three of those courses. Students also complete two courses chosen from the list of elective courses or other courses approved by a minor advisor. At least one course must focus on pre-Islamic periods (indicated by *) and at least one course must cover post-Islamic periods.
Course Requirements
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Core Courses (12 - 14 units)
- PRSN 101 First Semester Persian (5)
- PRSN 260 Persian Culture and Civilization in English*
Students who have completed PRSN 101 will choose two courses from the following list of three courses; students who have tested out of PRSN 101 are required to complete all three courses (in English).
- PRSN 290 Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation
- PRSN 450 Religious Traditions in Iran*
- PRSN 550 Persian Culture Through Films
Elective Courses (6 - 8 units)
Select from the following courses upon advisement.
- HIST 604 Islamic World I: 500-1500
- HIST 605 Islamic World II: 1500-present
- HIST 606 History of Iran and Afghanistan: 1500-present
- HIST 607 Imperialism and Nationalism in the Recent Near East
- HUM 361 Cultural Expression in Islam
- I R 323 Persian Gulf and International Relations (4)
- MUS 530 Music of the Middle East and India
- PHIL 436 Islamic Political Philosophy
- PHIL 517 Islamic Mysticism
- PHIL 516 Islamic Philosophy
- PRSN 206 Basic Persian Conversation
- PRSN 250 Intermediate Persian
- PRSN 350 Advanced Persian
- PRSN 411 Persian Media
- PRSN 500 Introduction to Persian Literature
- PRSN 530 Topics in Persian Studies in English
Visit the current University Bulletin for complete course descriptions and class schedule.