The University of Michigan offers a program in Iranian Studies that is exceptional for its breadth and depth. In tandem with three years of language instruction, the curriculum provides a tiered approach that first introduces students to major areas of study—Persian literature from the 11th to the 21st century, Iranian mythology and epic, religious and devotional writing, the visual arts, history and politics, and contemporary poetry, prose, and cinema—followed by upper-level courses that focus on specific texts, authors, and topics in the field. The latter courses expose students to critical ways of reading, research, and analysis, while allowing them to apply their language skills to read historical and literary texts in the original Persian. Students who opt for a concentration in Iranian Studies will graduate having achieved a robust and comprehensive foundation in the language, history, and culture of the broader Iranian world. For more information about Persian and Iranian studies at U-M, click here.
Iranian studies courses can be found in the LSA Course Guide under the subject "MIDEAST," while Persian language courses are listed in the LSA Course Guide under the subject "PERSIAN." Please note that Iranian studies course offerings vary by semester. Please contact the department at middle.east.studies@umich.edu with any questions.
