Minor in Persian Studies

The Minor in Persian Studies is a multidisciplinary program for students seeking greater knowledge and understanding of Persian speaking nations of Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and the Greater Iran, by studying their histories, cultures, religions, languages, literatures, arts, and various other related topics from ancient to contemporary times.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Language: Students learn the history of language development and the basic standard forms of writing and reading in the target language.
  2. Literature: Students learn the history of literature development and read samples of related genres in English translations.
  3. Culture and Civilization: Students learn the history and cultural changes of the past four thousand years and the historical contributions of Iranians to western civilization.
  4. Cinema and Media: Students learn the history of cinema and media in Afghanistan and Iran, and cultural representations of people in film. Films produced by various ethnic groups are previewed and discussed.
  5. Religion: Students learn about the religions which formed in the historical greater Iranian territories and in the Persian empires, as well as those traditions that were produced outside but later became the dominating practices.

Persian Studies, Minor — 15-19 units

The Persian Studies minor consists of 6-10 units of lower- and upper-division core courses, and 5-9 units of elective courses. The program may waive the core language requirement (PRSN 101) if the student demonstrates appropriate competency through advising, by taking the placement test, or by having taken the equivalent coursework elsewhere. Students must pass a minimum of 15 units to successfully complete the minor.

A minimum of 6 upper-division units are required to complete the minor.

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

Core Courses (6 – 10 units)

PRSN 101First Semester Persian4
PRSN 260History and Cultures of Iran3
PRSN/RELS/PHIL 503Religions in Iran3

Elective Courses (5 – 9 units)

PRSN 100Persian Language Immersion3
PRSN 102Second Semester Persian4
PRSN 206Basic Persian Conversation3
PRSN 290Persian Literatures in Translation3
PRSN/CINE 320Iranian Cinema3
PRSN 411/I R 415Iranian Media in English3
PRSN 699Independent Study1-3
1

PRSN 101 may be waived if the student demonstrates appropriate competency through advising, by taking the placement test, or by having taken the equivalent coursework elsewhere.