Persian Language Options
The study of the Persian language at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« is housed in the Department of Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (MEAMS). Persian language courses count towards fulfillment of requirements for the Middle East Studies major and minor.
Coursework
Language offerings include the following:
PERS 101/501 (Elementary Persian I): It’s easy to learn and difficult to forget! This course introduces students to Persian—the official language of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan; spoken by over 130 million speakers worldwide; and the language of many of the most famous and enduring works of poetry, prose, and film. Students will develop basic proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Persian. They will learn the Persian alphabet and writing system, and begin learning essential vocabulary, fundamental grammatical structures, and basic conversation skills. They will be introduced to aspects of a rich and exciting cultural heritage, including many common customs and traditions. By the end of the semester, students will engage in simple conversations, read basic texts, and gain knowledge and understanding of the Persian-speaking world. No prior knowledge of Persian is required or expected. Completion of PERS 101 fulfills the World Languages WL1 (first-level course) General Education requirement.
PERS 102/502 (Elementary Persian II): This course builds on the foundations established in Elementary Persian I by further developing students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Through engaging exercises, students will continue to expand their vocabulary and deepen their command of basic grammar, while practicing more conversational skills at the elementary level. Students will read and discuss short texts in Persian, write passages, and participate in pair or group activities designed to improve fluency. Cultural components—such as music, film, and daily customs—are integrated throughout the course to enhance linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding. Successful completion of PERS 101 (Elementary Persian I) or an equivalent background is required before enrolling in PERS 102. Completion of PERS 102 fulfills the World Languages WL2 (second-level course) General Education requirement.
PERS 203/503 (Intermediate Persian): This course advances students from the high-elementary to the intermediate level in reading, writing, speaking, and listening Persian. Building on PERS 102, students expand their vocabulary and mastery of core grammar (including compound verbs, past and future narration, the subjunctive, relative clauses, and register shifts between colloquial and formal Persian). Classwork emphasizes paragraph-level communication: students read and discuss short authentic texts (news items, essays, dialogues, and brief literary excerpts), write summaries and short compositions, and engage in pair/group tasks that develop conversational fluency and narrative ability across every day and academic topics. Audio-visual materials—music, film clips, and contemporary media—are integrated to strengthen comprehension and deepen cultural understanding of practices and perspectives in Persian-speaking societies. Successful completion of PERS 102 (Elementary Persian II) or equivalent proficiency is required. Completion of PERS 203 fulfills the World Languages WL3 (third-level course) General Education requirement and also meets a requirement of the major and minor tracks in Middle East Studies (MES).
Omid Ghaemmaghami
Associate Professor/Undergraduate Director - Middle East Studies
Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies