Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA2141: Intermediate Persian

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This course, continuing on from Elementary Persian, is based on Safar Moghaddam and Yadollah Samareh’s Persian Language Teaching: Elementary Course, Book II, supplemented by audio-visual materials, extracts from Phillot's Higher Persian Grammar and Anne Lambton's Persian Grammar. It is expected that you will learn the proper pronunciation of the vocabulary featured in the textbook by recourse to the teacher during class. Translation and writing exercises are regularly given as homework, which is later corrected and analysed by the whole class. In class dictation is given with feedback. Persian poetry and prose readings are also regularly discussed and analysed in class. You will read and learn all texts given by the teacher over the course of the semester, with some of these texts appearing in the exams. The emphasis of this class will be on both classical and colloquial Persian, aiming at acquisition of knowledge of the fundamental structure of Persian grammar and language, ability to read intermediate texts in Persian; capacity to carry on conversations in Persian; understanding of the importance of the Persian language and civilization in the broader context of Islamic civilization and culture.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate mastery of grasp of intermediate Persian grammar, read intermediate texts in Persian, and engage in intermediate level conversation in Persian; 2. acquire a basic understanding of the importance of Persian language and civilisation in the broader context of Islamic civilisation and culture.
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. identify, describe and manipulate a range of linguistic forms and structures in reading, writing, and conversation, and to assimilate basic information about another culture; 4. ability to discern different linguistic dialects based on listening to world news, Persian TV programmes as well as grasp varieties of different regional accents.
Personal and Key Skills	5. develop time management skills and conduct independent study, as well as to work in groups in conversation and text-based work; 6. demonstrate confidence in the use of a foreign language.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Teaching varies between lectures and commentary on the main textbook (Safar-Moghaddem), in-class readings, translation, dictation from and discussion of Persian texts; translation (Persian>English) exercises done collectively by the whole class; regular vocabulary reviews; the reading of poetic and prose texts aloud together; individual students give presentations of grammatical points or texts which they have studied or read independently. Learning materials are provided regularly, including worksheets that discuss difficult points of grammar, and literary texts (prose and poetry) to illustrate aspects of Persian language. It is expected that all students will learn the proper pronunciation of the vocabulary featured in the textbook by recourse to the teacher during class and audio-visual materials privately over the course of the week. Intermediate Persian Grammar, Composition and Conversation (text and conversation, oral-based study).

Learning and Teaching

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
44	106	0

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

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	44	Teaching hours (four hours of teaching per week)
Guided Independent Study	106	Private study at home. Students will be given short readings from Persian Literature texts to study and translate at home that are later discussed by the whole class. Homework is also regularly given, consisting of a variety of quizzes, dictation, readings and translations. Spelling practice 22 hrs, reading 16 hrs, essay writing 16 hrs, copy writing 16 hrs, grammar exercise 11 hrs, listening 22 hrs, 3 hrs for other activities e.g. memorizing poem

Online Resources

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