Spring 2010

PRS 361 • 3-IRANIAN WOMEN WRITERS

Course Description

The format of the course essentially consists of discussions by students. Some of the topics we will address are: What are the concerns of Iranian women? What is the traditional role of women in Iranian society? How do education, marriage and participation in the work force effect the lives of women? How do women view themselves in relation with other women, men, and the society as a whole? What are the contributions of women to Persian Literature? How does the writing of women differ from that of men? Is the concept of a "feminine voice" a reality in this literature? We will pay special attention to works written in the past two decades, in which an increasing number of women writers have gained prominence in the Persian literary world.

Grading Policy

Weekly assignments 20% Class participation 20% Two analytical or comparative papers 60%

Texts

Mahshid Amirshahi, Suri & Co; Goli Taraghi, A Mansion in the Sky; Moniru Ravanipur, Kanizu; M. M. Khorrami & Shouleh Vatanabadi, A Feast in the Mirror: Stories by Contemporary Iranian Women, Shahrnush Parsipur, Women Without Men.

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