Welcome to Persian at UC Irvine!

Persian Studies at UC Irvine reflects the range and diverse dimensions of the Persian experience as well as different approaches to studying Persian life and culture. Recognizing that Persians/Iranians throughout the world constitute a significant population and culture, Persian Studies at UC Irvine emphasizes the historical development of Persianate institutions, culture, and society in a variety of international settings.

We welcome students of all backgrounds to take our courses and participate in our events. Persian Studies courses at UC Irvine offer students the opportunity to explore Persian history, literature, texts, and traditions and the ways that they have evolved in the context of various civilizations. Take our courses as electives in order to deepen your understanding and investigate your interests, or become a minor and acquire a knowledge of Persian culture and history.

UC Irvine is unique in having a group of specialists working on Persianate history and culture, as well as an expert on Persian language and culture. UC Irvine also includes faculty working on a broad range of topics in Persian history and culture. Persian Studies faculty at UCI represent a range of departments in the social sciences and humanities, including Anthropology, Comparative Literature, History, Gender & Sexuality, Music and Anthropology.

Persian Studies at UC Irvine plans to fulfill an important community role by regularly sponsoring a number of public events on campus by distinguished scholars and creative artists invited from American and international universities. Topics range across the full spectrum of Persian life and culture. Persian Studies at UC Irvine has already sponored events on campus focused on important historical and contemporary topics.

Why Take Courses in Persian Studies?

Courses in Persian Studies allow you to train for a career in the academia, or in Iranian/Afghan/Tajikestan education, learn about Persianate issues and opportunities for Persian service, and develop a deeper understanding of American and Persianate life. Moreover, since dynamic contact with many other religions and cultures influenced the development of Persianate and Iranian civilization, you can study Persian within the broader context of dominant societies and the spectrum of the arts, humanities, and social sciences.