Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3144: Advanced Persian Language I

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Teaching varies between lectures and commentary on the main textbook (Safar-Moghaddem), in-class readings, translation, dictation from and discussion of Persian texts. Persian-to-English translation exercises will be done collectively by the whole class. There will be regular vocabulary reviews and poetic and prose texts will be read aloud together. Individual students will give presentations of grammatical points or texts that they have studied or read independently. In terms of reading, you will study different types of texts, such as historical, literary, current affairs, etc. In terms of writing, you will learn to master different styles of expression, how to present a topic and lead a discussion to conclusion. In terms of translation, we will read poetic and prose texts aloud together, and work together on your translation and similar homework assignments. In terms of listening and conversation skills, activities will include watching and listening to media Persian (TV broadcasts, news, interview, documentaries etc.) and discussing various topics in colloquial Persian. Your listening comprehension skills will be refined by listening to and discussing various genres of classical Persian music and song.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
441060

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity4422 x 2 hour lectures and seminars on Persian grammar, reading comprehension and translation. Interactive group work on written texts, consolidating the linguistic skills of reading, writing, and translating.
Guided Independent Study106Weekly homework assignments in writing, translation, grammar, oral presentations, etc. Each assignment consists of around 4.5 hours work and each group activity tests different language skills

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).