Persian
PERSIAN 111-1/2/3 Elementary Persian
PERSIAN 121-1/2/3 Intermediate Persian
PERSIAN 111-1/2/3 Elementary Persian
Course Description: This introductory Persian sequence aims to produce conversational speakers after a single year of study. Emphasis is placed on the modern Tehrani dialect of Persian, but students learn to read, write, and speak more formal Persian as well. The Perso-Arabic alphabet is used from the beginning. In the first quarter students work on pronunciation, become familiar with the script, and internalize introductions and polite phrases. The second quarter introduces new tenses and moods for more complicated language tasks. By the end of the third quarter students will be able to use all common grammatical structures to converse comfortably on a variety of everyday topics.
Prerequisites: Students must successfully complete the sequence in order, or have the permission of the instructor.
Teaching Method: The class uses a communicative approach, meaning that group work and language production are emphasized in class. Students are expected to memorize vocabulary and grammar structures at home, and come to class prepared to use those language patterns in communicative situations. Persian is used in class whenever possible, and by the third quarter becomes the primary language of instruction.
Textbooks: Atwood and Shahsavari, Persian of Iran Today, Books 1 and 2. Yousef and Torabi, Basic Persian. Other materials provided by instructor
PERSIAN 121-1/2/3 Intermediate Persian
Course Description: Since the majority of Persian grammar has been taught in the first year, the intermediate class will focus on the acquisition of vocabulary and language production. We will not follow a textbook, but rather encounter a variety of authentic written and audio-visual materials, including newspapers, short stories, poems, television series, films, and radio broadcasts. Speaking and writing will be emphasized; each week will involve some combination of written responses, formal presentations, and informal discussion in response to provided materials. By the end of the course students will be comfortable producing language in a variety of registers and modes on familiar topics.
Prerequisites: Pers 111-3 or permission of the instructor
Required Materials: Saeed Yousef and Hayedeh Torabi, Intermediate Persian: A Grammar and Workbook; a suitable Persian-English dictionary, such as that of Aryanpur-Kashani.
For more information, contact mena-language@northwestern.edu.
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