Bachelor of Arts in Persian Studies On Monday April 21, 2008 the Senate of the University of Maryland unanimously approved two proposals submitted officially by the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (SLLC) and put before the University Senate by the College of Arts ad Humanities (ARHU); they propose to offer major and minor courses of study in the two fields of Arabic Studies and Persian Studies. This was the culmination of a sustained effort spearheaded by the Center for Persian Studies and the Arabic Program and supported enthusiastically by SLLC and ARHU, and much hard work had gone into it over the years. So, all our colleagues and students – even our alumni – welcomed the approval wholeheartedly. Our heartfelt thanks for shepherding the proposals through the process of approval go to our SLLC Colleagues Dr. Lauretta Clough and SLLC Director Michael Long, and to Professor Elizabeth Loizeaux and ARHU Dean James F. Harris.
The major, requiring the completion of at least 36 credits of courses on Persian language and literature or Persian language and culture, features what
amounts to a two track structure, both supporting a high level of language proficiency. The first track is directed ultimately toward expertise in the literature of the Persian language which is a shared heritage of Persian-speaking peoples in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikstan as well as the growing Persian diaspora. The other track combines language proficiency with expertise focused on the contemporary culture of Iran. As with all academic programs, there are prerequisites and individual skills to take into account, as we anticipate a diversity of backgrounds, abilities, and approaches in our students. It is imperative, therefore, that interested students, while guided in general by the rules and regulations governing majors and minors at the University of Maryland, should seek advisement from our Center colleagues. We strongly recommend that all those who have an interest in learning more about the new and exciting opportunities presented by these new academic offerings to visit the web site of the Roshan Institute Center for Persian Studies and send their inquiries to us, to the SLLC, and to the University of Maryland’s Office of Undergraduate Continued on page 3 Admissions.
A Message from the Dean
The Board of Regents recently approved the proposals for the major and minor; we now await approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission this summer. While one can never predict an outcome, I am confident that by fall 2008 both the minor and the major will be fully operational.
This development marks a very substantial step forward, especially at a time when a significant number of public and private universities in the United States are closing entire departments of language. I am firmly convinced that, in our current world, the combined study of language, literature and culture is more important than ever before, and I am proud of the leadership that the College of Arts and Humanities has shown in this area. Establishing new curricula in any field, especially in language and culture, is not easy. Funding is necessary and student interest must be strong. On both counts, we have been extremely fortunate.
Student demand for Persian studies courses on campus is high, and we have benefited enormously from the strong financial support of the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute, led by Dr. Elahé Mir-Djalali Omidyar. The new minor and major would simply not have been possible without the support of Dr. Omidyar and the Roshan Institute. During the past year, the College of Arts and Humanities conducted a search for a new faculty member at the full or associate professor rank in Persian studies. While the search did not reach a successful conclusion, we are planning on reconfiguring the search goal and will reopen the process over the summer. As dean, I find enormous pleasure in the success of the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute Center for Persian Studies under the able leadership of Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak. In addition to Persian studies classes, a host of cultural activities—from films to conferences to guest speakers— enriched the lives of students, faculty and staff on campus during the past year. These activities also drew great interest from the wider community. The momentum is carrying us forward: 2008–09 promises to be an equally stellar year in Persian studies at the University of Maryland. James F. Harris, Dean College of Arts and Humanities