Daniela MENEGHINI

Published on 26/03/2026

If you are interested in the humanities, social sciences, and the interaction of language and literature with history and culture, you will certainly be interested in learning about the Persian language and the Persianate world, "from the Balkans to Bengal." To help you become familiar with this world, we have established several online courses for the spring semester. These courses offer a great opportunity to join and benefit from expert-led discussions. Our thematic focuses include (You can find the syllabus and registration details by clicking on the hyperlinks):

• General introduction to Persian (Elementary and Intermediate levels): 
  • Build a solid foundation in the essentials of the language. Transition toward fluency by exploring more complex structures and nuances
• Mastering Persian through Short stories or News Websites: 
  • By engaging with both modern short stories and contemporary news media, these courses provide the perfect bridge to mastering the Persian language through authentic, real-world contexts.
• Practicing Persian in Everyday Conversation or as a Heritage Speaker: 
  • Whether you are looking to reconnect with your roots or master the art of daily communication, these two courses provide the ideal environment to refine your speaking and listening skills
• Reading Persian Poetry: 
  • Explore the grammatical and historical nuances of the Persian poetic tradition, from the epic Shahnameh to the lyrics of Hafez and beyond.

• Persian Literature as World Literature: 

  • This English-taught course offers a comprehensive introduction to a millennium of Persian poetry, from the national epic to modern feminist icons

• Mystical and Sufi Persian Texts: 

  • We will explore a vast array of mystical texts from Iran, India, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, including works by Rumi, Attar, Ghazali, Shabestari, and Sam’ani.

• Persian Codicology: 

  • Essential for future researchers, librarians, and curators. This course covers everything from basic manuscript reading to advanced analysis of documents, seals, and historical telegrams.

• Safavid Era Texts: 

  • A specialized look at 12 fundamental historical, religious, political, and social texts from the Safavid period.

• Persian Texts of South Asia: 

  • For those with a South Asian background or research interest, we will study 12 significant works written in Persian within the region, spanning from early history to the modern era.

• Persian Through Art History: 

  • Gain valuable insights into calligraphy, painting, and bookbinding through Persian texts written in Iran, Central Asia, and India.

• Persian Travelogues: 

  • We will examine narratives from the last 1,000 years, discussing themes of travel, narration, borders, and border-thinking.

• Persian Texts of Central Asia: 

  • A deep dive into the rich literary and historical output of Central Asia, a perennial hub for Persian education.

• Persian Cinema: 

  • If you are interested in reviewing Iranian cinema and learning the Persian language through its most iconic sequences, I highly recommend enrolling in our 'Persian Through Iranian Cinema' course.

• Persian Studies and Digital Humanities:

  • Learn how to advance your research and access primary Persian digital resources without the need for immediate travel to Iran, Afghanistan, or Tajikistan.

• Persian Ethnographies:

  • We will study classic ethnographic works on Persian-speaking societies—an ideal course for those in the social sciences.

Course Features & Benefits:

• Flexible Learning: All sessions are recorded and available for review during and after the term.

• Comprehensive Materials: You will receive full-text files for primary readings, as well as curated secondary sources (articles and books) for each session.

• Unique Syllabi: Even if a course title is repeated from a previous season, the syllabus is unique. You are encouraged to re-enroll to expand your knowledge of different works within your field.

• Academic Support: These courses serve as excellent supplements to private tutoring and can help generate ideas for theses or journal articles.

There is no upfront payment required; you may pay in monthly installments. Additionally, we can provide official invoices if you wish to seek reimbursement from your home university or research center.

For more information, please visit our Spring School website or click the hyperlinks provided. You may also register directly via this link or contact me with any questions.

I look forward to seeing you at the Ghand-e Parsi Spring School!

Ghand-e Parsi: The Academy of Persian Language and Persianate Culture 

https://www.ghandeparsi.com ; admin@ghandeparsi.com