Introduction
Since its inauguration in 2021, the graduate program in Persian Language and Literature has complemented the undergraduate program and developed individuals capable of conducting research in the field of classic Persian literature.
Given that the promotion and enhancement of a society’s native language and literature are central to its social and cultural cohesion, a key social and cultural impact of this program is to educate individuals capable of teaching and contributing to scientific and systematic research on the Persian language and its literature.
The program seeks to provide an environment which encourages students and professors to conduct research in Persian literature through such means as professional fora and existing academic literature.
Vision
The program’s vision is to achieve an effective balance among its various activities. Through its language classes, it seeks to inculcate in students, both undergraduate and graduate, advanced abilities to utilize Persian languages for a multiplicity of purposes in a rapidly changing world. Through its courses on literature, culture, and civilization, the Department seeks to spread awareness of the contributions of Iran to the literary and cultural traditions of the world as a whole and train graduates able to continue their studies in various areas such as linguistics, creative writing, literature, philosophy, children's literature, Middle Eastern studies, etc.
Mission
The programs mission is to:
- incorporate the latest methods of learning into moral and spiritual attitudes
- develop an interdisciplinary perspective
- apply human-centered perspectives in course designation
- foster a collaborative and democratic vision
- apply creativity and problem solving in course materials
- train graduate students, who go on to use their knowledge of and proficiency in Persian languages and literature in diverse professions and enterprises, including business, and academia working in storytelling (novel, short story, playwright, etc.); journalism; promotional, cultural and tourism affairs; literary criticism and content production; creative writing; editing; translation; and children’s literature.
- expand knowledge, through research in diverse areas, whether historical or descriptive, basic or applied, concerning the languages, literatures, and cultures of Iran
Goals and Objectives
The program expects its graduates to develop the capability to:
- read and analyze classical texts of Persian poetry and prose
- compare and contrast Arabic and Persian poetry and prose texts
- conduct critical thinking and analysis
- conduct research and participate in intellectual discourse
- teach Persian language and literature
- act independently in carrying out research, teaching, and discourse
Admission Requirements
The program is open to is open to those with a bachelor's degree in Persian Literature from a regionally accredited institution. An official transcript from the attended university is required.
Applicants having a bachelor’s degree in other fields may be admitted subject to completing 9 to 36 credit hours of prerequisite courses.
Applicants apply online using an application form that collects personal data as well as a 500-word essay in English that outlines why the candidate would like to pursue this program and summarizes personal background that is relevant to their application. All applicants should provide two letters of recommendation from referees who are not family members or friends and who have worked closely with the applicant in the academic or work environments, ideally with some research component. The referees should be familiar with the applicant’s work habits, motivation, and ability to work creatively and independently.
All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline
At present, the program can admit a maximum number of 15 students.
Curriculum
Students with an undergraduate degree in Persian literature must pass 38 credit hours to graduate includingTHS5112 Master Thesis (4 Credit hours). Additionally, there are 9 to 36 credit hours of prerequisite courses for students with undergraduate degrees from fields other than Persian literature.
The minimum passing grade for each course is B- according to the BIHE grading system. Students must have a GPA of at least a B to graduate with a Master of Art in Persian Literature.
Required Courses:
- PLM5101: English Language I Research Works of Persian Literature (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5131: Arabic I Advanced Arabic Grammar (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5111: Persian Verse I Shahnameh (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5121: Persian Prose I Tarikhe Beyhaqy (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5112: Persian Verse II Naser e Khosrow & Sana 'i (3 Credit Hours)
- PLM5241: Seminar (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5232: Arabic II Arabic Prose (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5213: Persian Prose II Tarikh e Jahangosha & Marzbannameh (3 Credit Hours)
- PLM5214: Persian Verse III Khaqani & Nizami (3 Credit Hours)
- PLM5314: Persian Verse IV The Mathnawi (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5341: Research in Persian Grammar (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5642: Research in Rhetoric of Persian Literature (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5333: Arabic III Arabic Verse (2 Credit Hours)
- PLM5323: Persian Prose III Kashf al-Mahjub & Ar-resa 'il al-qushayriyya (3 Credit Hours)
- THS5112: Thesis (4 Credit Hours)
Elective Courses:
- PLM5643: Iranian Mythology (2 Credit Hours)