Modern Languages and Literatures—Persian

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Dr. Andrew Harris

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Humanities Building, Room 475
Phone: (415) 338-1421
Chair: Charles Egan

Coordinator: Mitra Ara
Email: persian@sfsu.edu
Website: mll.sfsu.edu/persian-program/

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 five-unit course and three three-unit courses, or four three-unit courses, and an elective group of two three- or four-unit courses will complete the minor, with at least one course focusing on Pre-Islamic periods and at least one course focusing on the Post-Islamic periods.

Program of Study

Requirements

PRSN 101 and PRSN 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 1) and at least one course must cover post-Islamic periods.

All course work used to satisfy the requirements of the minor must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

Persian Studies, Minor — 18 – 21 units

Core Courses (12 – 13 units)

Course List
Code	Title	Units
PRSN 101	First Semester Persian	4
PRSN 260	Persian Culture and Civilization in English ¹	3
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
PRSN 290	Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation	3
PRSN 450	Religious Traditions in Iran ¹	3
PRSN 550	Persian Culture Through Films in English	3

Elective Courses (6 – 8 units)

Select from the following courses upon advisement.

Course List
Code	Title	Units
CWL 430	Heroic Tales of the Mediterranean	3
HIST 604	Islamic World I: 500-1500	3
HIST 605	Islamic World II: 1500 - present	3
HIST 606	History of Iran and Afghanistan 1500 - Present	3
HIST 607	Imperialism and Nationalism in the Recent Near East	3
HUM 361	Cultural Expression in Islam	3
I R 323	The Persian Gulf in International Relations	4
MUS 530	Musics of the Middle East and India	3
PHIL 436	Islamic Political Philosophy	3
PHIL 517	Islamic Mysticism	3
PHIL 516	Islamic Philosophy	3
PRSN 206	Basic Persian Conversation	3
PRSN 250	Intermediate Persian	3
PRSN 350	Advanced Persian	3
PRSN 411	Persian Media in English	3
PRSN 500	Introduction to Persian Literature	3
PLSI 410	Middle East Politics	4

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

PRSN 100 Summer Immersion Persian (Units: 3)

Proficiency in the skills of listening, writing, reading, and speaking the Persian language. Exploration of the geography and culture of the Persian-speaking countries.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 101 First Semester Persian (Units: 4)

First semester elementary modern Persian, designed to develop proficiency in the fundamental skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing Persian. Exploration of the geography, history, culture, and religion of the Persian-speaking world.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 102 Second Semester Persian (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PRSN 101 or equivalent.

Continuation of First-Semester Persian.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 103 Third Semester Persian (Units: 4)

Prerequisites: PRSN 101, PRSN 102, or equivalents.

Third semester modern Persian, designed to further develop proficiency in the fundamental skills of reading and speaking. Continued exploration of the geography, history, culture, and religion of the Persian-speaking world.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 104 Fourth Semester Persian (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: PRSN 103 or equivalent.

Fourth semester modern Persian, designed to further develop proficiency in the fundamental skills of reading, speaking and translating. Continued study of Persian language, literature and culture to achieve a deeper understanding.

PRSN 206 Basic Persian Conversation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PRSN 102 or equivalent.

Review basic grammar; develop proficiency in the skills of listening and speaking the Persian language.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 250 Intermediate Persian (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PRSN 206 or equivalent.

Continued development of grammar and conversation skills.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 260 Persian Culture and Civilization in English (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: First-year composition or equivalent or consent of instructor.

Exploration of major themes in the development of Persian culture and civilization from antiquity to present including, but not limited to, religions, languages, ethnicities, arts, traditions, and customs. Taught in English.

Course Attributes:

C2: Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 290 Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent.

Examination of history, cultures, traditions, and religions as major themes in contemporary literature of Persian writers. Taught in English. [Formerly PRSN 510]

Course Attributes:

C3: Humanities: Literature
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 350 Advanced Persian (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PRSN 250 or equivalent.

Development of advanced language skills; focus on recognizing forms of standard and vernacular speaking.

PRSN 411 Persian Media in English (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4; ENG 214 or equivalent; or consent of the instructor.

Development of Persian socio-political and cultural understanding through the examination of current events as presented in the media in the English language.

Course Attributes:

UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
Global Perspectives

PRSN 450 Religious Traditions in Iran (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4; ENG 214 or equivalent; or consent of the instructor.

An investigation into the religious traditions of Iran from the inception to the present-day. Taught in English.

Course Attributes:

UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
Global Perspectives

PRSN 500 Introduction to Persian Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: PRSN 350 or equivalent.

Development of poetry and prose in the Persian literature in different periods and genres. Taught in the Persian language.

PRSN 530 Topics in Persian Studies in English (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.

Introduction to Iranian languages, literatures, cultures, arts, history, cinema, and other Iranian, Afghani, and Persian related topics. Taught in English. May be repeated for a total of 9 units when topics vary. [Formerly PRSN 550, generic]

PRSN 550 Persian Culture Through Films in English (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4; ENG 214 or equivalent; or consent of the instructor.

Aspects of contemporary Iranian cultures, as presented in the Iranian film, are examined in critical context.

Course Attributes:

UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
Global Perspectives
Social Justice

PRSN 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: PRSN 350 or ENG 214 or equivalent.

Written projects, in English or Persian, requiring critical analysis and interpretation of cultural or literary issues. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.