Minor Program in Persian, Iranian, and Persianate Studies

Course Structure of the Minor

The Minor in Asian Language and Culture focuses on Persian, Iranian, and Persianate language and culture. It is designed for students pursuing an interdisciplinary understanding of these areas through language courses and cultural content courses offered by the Asian Studies Department.

Outline

To complete the Minor, students must earn a total of 30 credits. This includes a combination of language courses under the PERS and ARBM designations and content courses under the ASIA designation. The program is structured to ensure students gain both linguistic proficiency and a deep understanding of Persianate cultural studies.

Students are encouraged to balance their coursework by selecting a mix of language-focused and cultural content courses. This combination allows them to develop both practical language skills and a deeper appreciation of the historical, literary, and cultural aspects of Persianate studies.

Summary of Minor Requirements

To complete the Minor in Asian Language and Culture with a focus on Persian, Iranian, and Persianate studies, students must meet the following requirements:

• Earn a total of 30 credits from eligible courses.
• Complete 12–18 credits in language courses (PERS and ARBM), including at least 6 credits at the 300-level or higher in PERS.
• Complete 12–18 credits in content courses (ASIA), with at least 12 upper-level (300+) credits focused on Persian literature, Iranian history, or Persianate culture.

This well-rounded program ensures students achieve advanced language proficiency while gaining a rich understanding of Persianate cultural and historical contexts.

Persian Language Course Placement and Sequence Policy

Courses must be taken in the correct sequence. Persian language courses must be taken in an order that reflects your actual level of proficiency. While some course pairs at the same level (e.g., PERS 200 and 201, or PERS 300 and 301) may be taken in either order, students may not take a lower-level course after completing a higher-level one. For example, a student who has completed PERS 201 may not later register for PERS 104 or PERS 101.

Placement is required for most Persian language courses in order to ensure you are placed in the class that best supports your learning. The Department of Asian Studies reserves the right to withdraw students from a course at any point if their placement level is determined to be inaccurate.

Enrolling in courses out of sequence undermines both student learning and placement integrity. Please consult the Persian language program or the placement advisor to determine your correct starting point.