Introduction
The Bachelor Program of Persian Literature and Iranian Culture was established in 2001. Since its inception, it has produced 96 graduates. This program aims to provide students with insight into the fundamental design features of Persian language and create awareness of language diversities, the varieties of human languages, the role of language as an index of social identity, and the ontogenetic and historical development of the Persian language concentrating on classical Persian literary manuscripts. Initially, all classes were held in-person, but since 2008, the faculty changed the policy and most courses have been offered in the form of a blended system.
Vision
The Department of Persian Literature and Iranian Culture is engaged in teaching, research, and service with regard to representative languages and literatures of Iran. The Department places particular emphasis on treating Persian languages and literatures in a broad humanistic context, taking care to examine them with reference to the cultures and cultural traditions within which they exist and have developed.
The Department seeks 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 who will be able to continue their studies in various areas such as linguistics, creative writing, literature, philosophy, children's literature, Middle Eastern studies, etc.
Mission
Persian Literature and Iranian Culture Program curriculum aims to:
- recognize local Iranian backgrounds in comparison to the global perspective
- study Persian fields of history and modernism comparatively
- understand Persian language capacities in relation to Iranian civilization and cultural development
- 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
- provide instruction, at the elementary through advanced levels, in important representative Persian Literature and Iranian Culture
- contribute to the general education function of the University, through instruction on the Persian literatures, civilizations, and cultures of Iran
- offer courses of study leading to the B.A. and M.A. degrees in Persian Languages and Literature
- train undergraduate and 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 consolidation and development of common native literature and language in each country are crucial factors of social and cultural unity and development. As a result, the following program has been proposed to:
- educate professionals who are interested in academic research in various fields related to Iranian literature and culture, such as Iranology, Persian folklore and Iranian history, and to ponder Iranian prose and writing styles (both modern and classic)
- raise Persian linguists
- train capable Persian language teachers, which is the major purpose of this program
- understand connections of Persian language with rich, diverse cultural, and ethnic Iranian backgrounds
Admission
Candidates must hold a high school diploma in order to take the entrance exam. Furthermore, students in their third year of technical and vocational training school may apply for the program.
Curriculum
The following summarizes the course requirements:
This undergraduate program is arranged for 8 semesters based on course materials. The courses in this field are about 150 credits, which students are required to choose each semester, according to the general principles of the Institute.