B.A. in Persian Studies

• Description
• Requirements
• Beyond the Classroom: Immersion Programs & Other Opportunities
• Becoming a Persian Studies Major
• Advisor Contact Information

DESCRIPTION

The B.A. in Persian Studies (36 credits) provides students with a solid background in linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of the study of Persian. This includes the cultures of Iran, Afghanistan, Persian-speaking Central Asia, and the Persian diaspora. Students work toward competence in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. In addition, they become conversant in the contemporary political and daily life of Persian-speaking nations.

The B.A. in Persian Studies prepares students for a range of professional opportunities, including careers in government, education, the arts, business, and communication.

REQUIREMENTS 

Note: Foreign language placement assessment (FLPT) is designed to ensure that you are registered for the correct foreign language course. Even students with little to no background in the language must take the assessment.

Note: Students with prior experience in Persian make satisfy these prerequisites with an appropriate Foreign Language Placement Test (FLPT) score.

Note:

• Students placing out of courses required for the BA or minor may replace these courses in consultation with the program advisor according to their proficiency level.
• Students must take language acquisition courses sequentially, i.e., 103, 203, 204, 250, etc. Once credit has been received in a higher-level language acquisition, a lower-level course may not be taken for credit.
• While many courses are not open to fluent/native speakers, others may be.  Please contact the program advisor to discuss your choices before registering.

Note: Courses in Middle Eastern Studies taught in English outside the department may be substituted with the approval of the undergraduate advisor.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: IMMERSION PROGRAMS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

SLLC offers several opportunities to develop linguistic and cultural skills beyond the classroom:  

• Develop Persian fluency through the on-campus Language House Living & Learning Residential Program
• Boost language skills through intensive study at the Persian Summer Institute
• Deepen linguistic and cultural knowledge through Study Abroad
• Practice Persian with a native speaker on-campus through the SLLC Language Partner Program

DECLARING A PERSIAN STUDIES MAJOR

We recommend that interested students declare their major as early as possible

ADVISOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Advisor: Dr. Ali R. Abasi

Office: 3112 HJ Patterson Hall

Email: aabasi@umd.edu  (preferred)

Phone: 301-405-2375

For more information about advising, please visit the advising section of our website.