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Persian Studies Major

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

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.

Program Requirements

Foreign Language Placement Assessment (FLPA)

All students new to SLLC must take the online FLPA before registering for classes.

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.

Prerequisite Courses for The Persian Studies Major

(See TESTUDO for the current list of PERS course offerings)

PERS 101 - Elementary Persian I - 4
Prerequisites: None

PERS 102 - Elementary Persian II - 4
Prerequisites: PERS 102

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

Language Acquisition Courses (18 Credits)

(See TESTUDO for the current list of PERS course offerings)

PERS 201 - Intermediate Persian I - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 102

PERS 202 - Intermediate Persian II - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 201

PERS 211 - Intermediate Conversation - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 102. Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in PERS 201

PERS 212 - Intermediate Reading in Persian - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 211 and PERS 201; or permission of instructor. Corequisite: PERS 202

PERS 301 - Advanced Persian I - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 202

PERS 302 - Advanced Persian II - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 301

Electives in Persian (6 credits of upper-level courses)

(See TESTUDO for the current list of PERS course offerings)

PERS 311 - Persian Media  3
Prerequisites: PERS 301

PERS 312 - Contemporary Iranian Culture - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 301

PERS 401 - Persian Composition - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 301

PERS 402 - Persian Translation - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 301

PERS 411 - Readings in Iranian Islam - 3
Prerequisites: PERS 301

PERS 452 - Modern Persian Literature: A Survey - 3
Prerequisites: Permission of Advisor

PERS 498 - Special Topics in Persian Studies - 3
Prerequisites: Permission of Advisor

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.

Electives in English (Maximum of 12 credits)

(See TESTUDO for the current list of PERS course offerings)

PERS 251 - Modern Iran - 3
Prerequisites: None

PERS 283 - Iranian Cinema - 3
Prerequisites: None

PERS 353 - Iranian Life in Literature and Film - 3
Prerequisites: None

PERS 371 - Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation - 3
Prerequisites: None

PERS 441 - Islam in Iran - 3
Prerequisites: None

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

Additional Program Information

Declaring the Major

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

Step 1
Carefully read PERS major Requirements

Step 3
Read through all forms carefully, and pencil in a sequence of courses to discuss with the program advisor, Dr. Ali R. Abasi (aabasi@umd.edu).

Step 5
Contact the Office of Student Affairs at the College of Arts and Humanities (301-405-2108) to make an appointment to discuss the non-Arabic aspects of your 4-Year plan (bring signed form from previous step), including CORE courses. Walk-in hours are also available.

Step 6
If you are adding Persian Studies as an additional major, check with your home department and college to identify paperwork you may need to complete.

Beyond the Classroom: Immersion Programs & 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

Advisor

Ali Abasi

Associate Professor, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Associate Professor, Advisor, Persian
Associate Professor, Roshan Institute for Persian Studies

3112 H.J. Patterson Hall
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-2375