Certificate in Persian

Program Overview

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Key Information

Start Date

September

Duration

1 year

Attendance Mode

Full Time

Location

On Campus

Fees

• Home: £9,535
• International: £22,870

Course Code

T6BE

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is the ability to demonstrate the potential to study at undergraduate level. However, programmes may have their own specific requirements, such as, in the case of language-based studies, a proven ability to learn a language.

Course Overview

The Certificate in Persian is an introductory qualification in the Persian language. Students acquire a solid initial knowledge of the written and spoken language of modern Iran and study the historical and cultural background of the country within the context of the Middle East.

When taken full-time (in one year) the programme corresponds closely to the first year of the BA Languages and Cultures. No prior knowledge of Persian is required. Applicants with existing knowledge of Persian can join the programme at a more advanced language entry level.

Structure

Part-time Students

The part-time syllabus allows a fuller engagement with Persian language. Year 1 is devoted to the introductory courses in Persian 1A and Persian 1B (15 credits each). In year two, students normally follow this with Persian 2A and Persian 2B, as well as the Classical Persian Poetry (15 credits).

The programme also gives students who are interested in the history and cultures of the Middle East access to SOAS’s comprehensive regional expertise and allows them to develop a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of this significant region in our interconnected, globalised world.

Important Notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Core

• Persian 1 A - 15 credits This is a basic introductory language acquisition module for absolute beginners in the written and spoken language; students are not assumed to have any previous knowledge of the language. The module covers several basic constructions of the language, enabling students to acquire basic skills in reading, writing, comprehension and speaking. Successful students will gain the ability to read and write short simple texts and communicate on simple everyday topics.
• Persian 1 B - 15 credits

Compulsory

• Languages of the World - 15 credits This module introduces students to key topics in global linguistic diversity, enabling students to put into a global context the language, region or culture that their degree programme focuses on.

Guided Options List B

0-30 credits from List B

• Language, Society and Communication - 15 credits This module introduces students to fundamental concepts and approaches in the study of the links between language and society. Using numerous examples, students will learn about the interplay of language with social factors such as class, gender, ethnicity and age, including how language varies and changes.
• Meaning and Interpretation - 15 credits This module is an introduction to the multifaceted aspects of semantics and pragmatics involved in the knowledge, use and interpretation of meaning in natural languages. It focuses on different topics on semantics and pragmatics, as well as some of the approaches taken to study them with the focus being on understanding what the issues are.
• Introduction to Translation Theory - 15 credits This module introduces the principle and theory of translation. It covers recent theoretical development in Translation Studies and introduces major concepts, theories and related issues in translation practice. The course will also assist students making the connection between translation theories and practice to ensure effective use of the concepts and to make an informed decision in the translating process.
• H130 Introduction to the History of the Middle East - 15 credits This module is an introduction to the history of the late medieval, early modern and modern era Middle East. It begins roughly around the time when Islamic empires became the dominant powers in the region and explores thenceforth the political, social, and cultural developments up to the present.
• Islamic Philosophy - 15 credits This module focuses on aspects of the intellectual history of the medieval Islamic world, above all the history of philosophy and systematic theology. It will examine various thinkers and schools of thought of the classical and post-classical periods, including Aristotelianism, Mu‘tazilism and Ash‘arism, and will introduce key concepts, problems and debates, particularly in metaphysics, natural philosophy, epistemology, ethics and anthropology.
• Empires of the Ancient Near and Middle East - 15 credits This module discusses the formation, administration and culture of empires in the Near and Middle East and their interaction with each other from the earliest known civilisations to 651 CE.
• The Zoroastrian Worldview in Ancient and Modern Times - 15 credits This module introduces students to central concepts of the Zoroastrian world view. Using primary and secondary sources, the students will engage with the debate on the interpretation of the sources and the scholarly debate.

Guided Options List A

30-60 credits from List A

• The World in London - 15 credits In this module, students will begin their studies of the areas of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The module will use the city-spaces and urban life of London to begin to engage with cultures from these regions as they are transported and transformed as they find roots in this post-imperial centre.
• Environmental Humanities - 15 credits This module takes the specific topics of health, well-being, embodiment, resilience, human relations to the environment and questions of climate change and views and analyses them through the lens of culture studies.
• Literatures of Love, Loss and Desire - 15 credits This module will examine a range of genres and forms, and aims to provide students with an insight into motif and interpretation of love and loss by looking at specific selection of texts in English translation (in poetry and prose) by different authors from across the regions of Africa, the Middle East, South and South East Asia, from the ancient times to the present day.
• Classical Persian Poetry - 15 credits This module is an introduction to the literary history of Iran and Persian poetry and the different schools of poetry, as well as the major genres related to the mediaeval period, from its origins to c.1500.
• The Art of Storytelling - 15 credits This module will explore genres such as the oral epic, the graphic novel, puppet theatre, and internet literature with particular attention to the ways that texts interact with other forms of expression from music and dance to the visual arts.
• Cinemas of the Middle East and North Africa - 15 credits The course will offer a survey of films from the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and Israel, as well as an overview of the historical development of film in the region and a grounding in the socio-cultural contexts in which films have been produced.

Teaching and Learning

• Courses are taught during the day.
• Teaching begins in September.
• Examinations are in May-June.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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The Certificate in Persian is a one-year (full-time) or two-year (part-time) program at SOAS University of London.

It serves as an introductory qualification in the Persian language.

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Objectives:

• Develop a solid foundation in written and spoken modern Iranian Persian.
• Prepare students for further study in Persian language and literature.

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Description:

• The program is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Persian.
• Full-time students complete the equivalent of the first year of a BA program in Persian.
• Part-time students can choose a more gradual learning pace.
• The program emphasizes both language acquisition and cultural understanding.

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Outline:

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Full-time (One Year):

• Persian Language I (2 units): intensive introductory course focusing on developing fundamental language skills.
• Literatures of the Near and Middle East: explores literary traditions of the region.
• An approved non-language unit: relevant subjects such as history of the Middle East or Islamic studies.

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Part-time (Two Years):

• Persian Language I (2 units)
• Year 2:
• Persian Language II:
builds upon skills acquired in Year 1.
• Choice of either:
• Classical Persian Prose Texts:
focuses on reading and analyzing classical Persian prose.
• Persian Poetry 1: introduces students to the rich tradition of Persian poetry.

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Alternative Part-time (Two Years):

• Year 1:
• Elementary written Persian:
gradual introduction to the Persian writing system.
• One other approved non-language unit.

• Year 2:
• Elementary Persian texts:
builds upon skills acquired in Year 1.
• One other approved non-language unit.

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Teaching:

• Courses are taught during the day, typically beginning in September.
• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
• The program is taught by experienced faculty with expertise in Persian language and culture.

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Assessment:

• Formative assessment: Regular assignments and tests to monitor student progress.
• Summative assessment: Exams held in May-June to assess overall understanding and knowledge.

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Other:

• The program is offered at the Russell Square campus in the College Buildings.
• Students have access to SOAS' extensive library resources and research facilities.

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Careers:

• The Certificate in Persian can lead to a variety of careers related to:
• Translation and interpreting
• Teaching
• Journalism and media
• Research
• Diplomatic service
• Business and commerce
It is designed for both full-time and part-time students, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals.

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Home student fees: £9,250 Overseas student fees: £21,990 Please note that fees go up each year.