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)
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.
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 |
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.
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
PRSN 103 Third Semester Persian (Units: 4)
Prerequisites: PRSN 101, PRSN 102, or equivalents.
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
PRSN 104 Fourth Semester Persian (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: PRSN 103 or equivalent.
PRSN 206 Basic Persian Conversation (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: PRSN 102 or equivalent.
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
PRSN 250 Intermediate Persian (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: PRSN 206 or equivalent.
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.
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
PRSN 290 Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent.
Course Attributes:
- C3: Humanities: Literature
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
PRSN 350 Advanced Persian (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: PRSN 250 or equivalent.
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.
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.
Course Attributes:
- UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
- Global Perspectives
PRSN 500 Introduction to Persian Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: PRSN 350 or equivalent.
PRSN 530 Topics in Persian Studies in English (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: ENG 214 or equivalent.
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.
Course Attributes:
- UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice