Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module MEIS1072: PERSIAN I

Department: GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES)

MEIS1072: PERSIAN I

Type Open Level 1 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The module introduces the basic structures of Persian grammar and is designed to teach students to read, understand, write and speak modern Persian.
  • At the end of the year, students will be able to translate elementary passages from and into Persian, and conduct simple everyday conversations.

Content

  • Persian at this level is taught communicatively, with emphasis on the main linguistic skills of listening, understanding, speaking, reading and writing.
  • New structures are presented orally, with the help of visual and audio-visual aids, and explained at length in a series of handouts which go to make up the Modern Persian for Undergraduates course book.
  • 25 units of grammar are given to the students at a rate of roughly one unit a week.
  • Persian pedagogical texts are also used for reading and comprehension practice.
  • By the end of the module, all of the six main tenses of Persian will have been covered, a large everyday vocabulary (1000 items) provided, and a solid foundation in modern conversational Persian established.
  • Students will also be able to read simple texts and translate from and into Persian with ease.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
      Key Skills:

        Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

        • .

        Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

        Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
        Other (Language classes) 66 Three per week 1 hour 66
        Preparation and Reading 334
        Total 400

        Summative Assessment

        Component: Examination Component Weighting: 80%
        Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
        one three-hour written examination 100%
        Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 20%
        Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
        one 30-minute oral examination 100%

        Formative Assessment:

        Weekly assignments. Regular vocabulary/dictation tests.

        ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University