Persian Language
Persian is the ancient and modern language of Persia, Iran, and Afghanistan, the language of the Epic of Kings, the Robâiyât of Omar Khayyâm, and the mystical and spiritual verse of the great poet Rumi. Persian is an Indo-European language, related to English and French, but written in an Arabic script. Farsi is the dialect of Iran, Dari that of Afghanistan, Tajiki that of Tajikistan. The Duke Persian Program provides a foundation in the four skills of the language through a task-based, learner-centered, communicational and interactive method enriched with authentic culture.
Course Description
Persian 101 (01) Elementary Persian I Fall Only
Introduction to spoken and written Persian, focusing on the dialect of Iran. All four skills are learned: listening comprehension, oral proficiency, reading, and writing in the Perso-Arabic script. Emphasis on oral proficiency and culture and on acquisition of a solid base in the sound system and writing system. Multimedia online resources with audio, video, photos, from Iran. Task-based, learner-centric instruction in a culturally rich environment. 4 hours per week.
Persian 102 (02) Elementary Persian II Spring Only
Continuation of spoken and written Persian at the second-semester level. Elementary skills of oral and written proficiency are further developed: comfortable oral control in everyday situations and in authentic Persian culture, and written exposition at the paragraph level. Online multimedia textbook with streaming audio and video. Focus on real communication in culturally authentic situations. Four hours per week.
Persian 203 (63) Intermediate Persian Fall Only
Second-year Persian language and culture focuses more on the structural aspects of the language and begins to expand the student’s literary skills and competence in more specialized communicational areas. Students make research presentations in the target language. Three hours per week.
** Old course numbers are listed in parentheses
