Module ARA2141 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
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.
| 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).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignments, essay writing, graded dictation assignments and mid-term quiz | Roughly 15-30 minutes of class time per class and 90-120 minutes of homework time | 1-6 | Verbal and/or written feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 50 | 20 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly assignments over 10 weeks | 15 | One hour per week in lectures and 2-3 hours of homework time | 1 and 2 | Written feedback |
| Mid-term Quiz | 15 | 90 minutes; held around week 7 | 1-5 | Written feedback |
| Oral examination (in final week of term) | 20 | 15 minutes | 1-5 | Written and verbal |
| Written examination (in final week of term) | 50 | 2 hours | 1 and 2 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly assignments | Written exam test (90 minutes; 15%) | 1 and 2 | January exam week |
| Mid-term Quiz | Quiz (90 minutes; 15%) | 1-5 | Later in the January term |
| Oral examination (in final week of term) | Oral examination (15 minutes) (20%) | 1-5 | January exam week |
| Written examination (in final week of term) | Written examination (2 hours) (50%) | 1 and 2 | January exam week |
