Elementary Persian
| Module title | Elementary Persian |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARA1013 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Mr Ali Mossadegh (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module introduces you to the Persian language and encourages an appreciation of the varieties and aesthetic values of Persian calligraphic techniques. Persian poetry and prose readings are also regularly discussed and analysed in class. You will also be given regular translation exercises, which are also discussed by your fellow students during lectures. 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 final exam.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module is designed to introduce you to the Persian language. At the beginning of the course, for alphabet instruction Elwell-Sutton's Elementary Persian Grammar is used, which also encourages an appreciation of the varieties and aesthetic values of Persian calligraphic techniques at this early stage as well. When you have learned the alphabet (including final and intermediate forms of letters, glottal stops, writing signs, etc.) and are weaned from the use of Latin transliteration, the rest of the class follows a combination of the exercises in Wheeler Thackston's An Introduction to Persian, (using the audio resources that accompany this book), extracts from Phillot's Higher Persian Grammar and Anne Lambton's Persian Grammar. The audio-visual materials provided give you important assistance to you in the proper pronunciation of Persian. It is expected that you will all learn the proper pronunciation of the vocabulary featured in the textbook by recourse to the teacher during lectures and to the audio-visual materials privately over the course of the week. Translation exercises are regularly given as homework, which is later corrected and analysed by the whole class. Persian poetry and prose readings are also regularly discussed and analysed. The students read and learn all texts given by the teacher over the course of the semester, with some of these texts appearing in the final exam.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate elementary acquaintance with Persian script and pronunciation, grasp of basic structures of Persian grammar, ability to read with a dictionary elementary texts in Persian, and capacity to carry on basic conversation in elementary Persian.
- 2. Acquire a basic understanding of the importance of Persian language and civilisation in the broader context of Islamic civilisation and culture.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 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
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Develop time management skills and ability to conduct independent study, as well as to work in groups in conversation and text-based work
- 5. Demonstrate confidence in the use of a foreign language
Syllabus plan
• Introduction to Persian Language, Literature, Culture and Civilization (lectures)
• Basic structure of the Persian Language (text-based study)
• Elementary Persian grammar (text-based study)
• Basic vocabulary
• Review of module
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 106 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 44 | Teaching varies between lectures and commentary on the main textbook (Thackston), in-class readings, translation and discussion of Persian texts; translation (Persian-to-English) exercises done collectively by the whole class; regular vocabulary reviews; the reading of poetic and prose texts aloud together. Study materials are provided regularly, including sheets that discuss difficult points of grammar, and literary texts (prose and poetry) to illustrate aspects of Persian language. |
| Guided Independent study | 106 | Homework assignments, research. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussions in tutorials | Weekly | 1,2 | Verbal feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 50 | 35 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homework assignments | 15 | Two assignments per term; one around week 5, and the other around week 9 | 1-4 | Written feedback |
| Midterm quiz | 15 | 1.5 hours | All | Written feedback |
| Oral examination (in final week of term) | 20 | 15 minutes | 4-5 | Written and verbal feedback |
| Written examination (in final week of term) | 50 | 2 hours | 1-2 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework assignments | Homework Two homework assignments per term (around weeks 7 and 11), each replacing the original homework assignment (15%). | 1-4 | Rescheduled during term time |
| Midterm quiz | Quiz (1.5 hours; 15%) | All | Rescheduled during term time |
| Oral Examination and questions | Oral examination (15 minutes; 20%) | 4-5 | January examinations week |
| Examination | Written examination (2 hours; 50%) | 1-2 | January examinations week |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Wheeler Thackston, An Introduction to Persian (Ibex Publishers)
Anne Lambton, Persian Grammar (Cambridge U. Press)
L. Elwell-Sutton, Elementary Persian Grammar (Cambridge U. Press)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2004 |
| Last revision date | 13/01/2021 |
