Spring 2006

PRS 507 • First Year Persian II

Course Description

This is a language-competency-based course designed for students who have completed First-Year Persian I or its equivalent as well as students who have had exposure to Persian and who pass a placement examination for PRS 506. Having had a semester of colloquial Persian, students in First-Year Persian II are exposed to elementary literary Persian. Developing listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, the course also builds on language patterns learned in the previous semester to teach Persian grammar through brief explanations and extensive drilling. Daily homework assignments are corrected and discussed with students on a regular basis. Reading materials from both the assigned texts are used to improve students' reading comprehension and to build vocabulary. Audio tapes of all reading materials are made available through the Language Laboratory. Students also watch a feature film one hour per week. The film will be repeated several times within the course of the semester (usually two to three films are shown over the entire semester) on the basis of which students are provided with exercises to improve all skills and increase their vocabulary retention. In addition, computer-assisted instructional material (currently being developed) for Persian will be used as an auxilliary tool in the teaching of various language skills. Students are also encouraged to attend a weekly scheduled coffee hour to practice conversation with native speakers and other students

Grading Policy

Four exams, 60%; daily assignments, 20%; class participation, 20%.

Texts

Photocopied materials.

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