MA Iranian Studies and Intensive Persian SOAS University of London

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or part-time

Among all universities in Europe and North America SOAS host the biggest concentration of research and teaching staff working on Iranian history, politics, economics, religions, art and archaeology, linguistics, Persian language and literature, media, film, anthropology and music. SOAS has the resources to offer a comprehensive, critical perspective on a variety of aspects of Iranian society and culture and go beyond the contemporary public debates around this country.

The MA in Iranian Studies enables students to critically assess the historical development of Iranian society, economics and culture within the context of the wider west Asian area and to appreciate the complexity of the history and cultural make up of Iran.

The flexible study programme and interdisciplinary curriculum will enrich students knowledge about the religious and politico-cultural influences affecting contemporary Iran and the region it is embedded in. Students will develop a critical understanding of the literature and/or of Iran and the diaspora and gain an understanding of Iran in the context of the Middle East with respect to gender, politics, Islam, music, and migration (minor module options). Persian language and literature will also be studied.

This is an intensive language programme and, as a result, a large bulk of the module credits are assigned to the language component of the degree. The programme also involves a compulsory opportunity to study abroad and a dissertation on a chosen area of specialism.

Structure

Students must take 315 credits in total, comprised of 255 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 60-credit dissertation as outlined below.

In their first year, students on the two-year Intensive Language programmes take 60 credits of intensive language instruction and 60 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad. In the second year, they take another 30 language credits as well as 60 credits in the discipline; they also complete their dissertation in the discipline.

Year 1 (two years full time)

Discipline Component

• Iran: History, Culture, Politics

Plus

• A module(s) from List A below to the value of 30 credits.

Language Component

Summer Abroad

Students participate in 15PNMC431 Intensive Upper-Intermediate Summer Persian abroad.

Year 2 (two years full time)

Discipline Component

• Modules from List A or B below to the value of 60 credits.

Language Component

• Persian 3 (PG)

Dissertation

• Dissertation in Iranian Studies

List of modules (subject to availability)

• Zoroastrianism: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
• Directed Readings in Persian Studies
• Classical Persian Poetry: Texts and Traditions (PG)
• Avestan I
• Pahlavi Language
• Modern Trends in Islam
• Gender in the Middle East
• International politics of the Middle East
• Islam and political ideologies
• Culture and Society of Near and Middle East
• Problems of Development in the Middle East and North Africa

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.

Employment

As a postgraduate student specialising in Iranian Studies, you will gain competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of the Middle East.

Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.