The Persian Language Program offers three levels of language study: Elementary,
Intermediate and Advanced. In every level, students develop their proficiency in the four
areas of language acquisition, namely, listening comprehension, speaking, reading and
writing. A range of audio-visual resources will be made available in class and the
Language Resource Center; in the process, students will expand their knowledge of the
history and culture of Iran and the Persian-speaking people.


Courses Academic Year: 2008–2009

Persian A. Elementary Persian (Full Year)

MWF 9:00 and two additional hours to be arranged
Dalia Yasharpour

This course assumes no prior knowledge of Persian. Students master the script and
phonology and learn the fundamentals of Persian syntax and grammar. They hold simple
conversations, read selections of limited complexity from contemporary and classical
Persian literature and write short descriptive compositions in simple Persian.

Texts: Thackston, Introduction to Persian
Marashi, Proficiency in Persian: Book One

Persian 120a Intermediate Persian I (Fall)

MWF 10:00 and one additional hour to be arranged
Dalia Yasharpour

To enroll in this course, students are required to have completed Persian A or its
equivalent. Students review Persian grammar and further develop their proficiency in the
four areas of language acquisition. Classical metrics and prosody are introduced and
students read and translate selections from classical prose and poetry. Students are
exposed to a range of writing styles, including colloquial speech as found in
contemporary Persian prose.

Texts: Thackston, Introduction to Persian and Millenium of Persian Poetry
Marashi, Proficiency in Persian: Book Two

Persian 120b. Intermediate Persian II (Spring)

MWF 10:00 and one additional hour to be arranged
Dalia Yasharpour

This course is a continuation of Persian 120a.

Texts: Thackston, Introduction to Persian and Millenium of Persian Poetry
Marashi, Proficiency in Persian: Book Two


Persian 140ar. Selected Readings in Classical Persian Literature (Spring)

MW 2:00-3:30
Dalia Yasharpour

To enroll in this course, students must have completed Persian 120b or its equivalent.
This course exposes the advanced student to selected topics in Classical Persian literature
including historical and belletristic texts, the classics of Sufism, and the poets of Iran and
India.

Texts: Reader of selected texts
Marashi, Proficiency in Persian: Book Three