Persian Studies Major

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

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

(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 may satisfy these prerequisites with an appropriate World Language Placement Test (WPT) score.

(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

(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.

(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.

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.

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