Persian has been the language of courts, poets, and scholars and lingua franca of the Eastern part of the Islamic world from the ninth century (C.E.) onward. It is the official language of Iran and it is spoken and understood in various areas of Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan today.

Persian language study at Columbia University’s Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies prepares students for advanced study of the culture, history, literature, and society of the Persianate world. It offers students the opportunity to learn how to connect and communicate with Iranian and Iranian-American communities. It offers a window into the culture, politics, and history of a civilization two thousand years in the making. The courses are complemented by movie nights, discussion sessions, guest lectures and take advantage of New York City’s vibrant cultural scene with outings to museums, galleries, restaurants, and concerts to further expose students to the richness of Persian culture.