{"id":574,"date":"2022-12-09T18:36:36","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T18:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/?page_id=574"},"modified":"2026-04-28T09:07:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:07:27","slug":"iranian-studies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/iranian-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"Minor in Iranian Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n  \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--interactive-content-pane \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--interactive-content-pane\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n  <div class=\"left\">\n      \n    <div class=\"pagination-wrapper\">\n      <ul class=\"interactive-content-pane-pagination\"><\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"right\">\n          <div class=\"swiper\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Minor in Iranian Studies\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>This minor is an interdisciplinary degree focusing on the peoples and cultures of Iran. Its courses offer students interested in exploring the richness and complexity of Iran a framework for developing both expertise and wide-ranging critical perspectives on its past, present, and future. The cross-section of courses and rigorous training in the Persian language allows students to develop a wide-ranging perspective on the country or a narrower focus on a particular historical period or theme.<\/p>\n<p>Five courses (20 units) are required for the minor. All students must take MDES 201 or MDES 213 as well as MDES 313. One course from the list of Iranian Studies Concentration courses and one Elective course is required in addition to demonstrating fourth-semester proficiency in the Persian language. This can be achieved through placement, transfer credits (subject to approval), from study abroad, or through successfully completing the level IV Persian (IRAN 250) course at USC. Students who place out of the requirement to take IRAN 250 must take an additional elective course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Learning Objectives\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>-Foundational knowledge of the history of the MENA (Middle East\/North Africa) region from classical to modern times.<\/p>\n<p>-Training in several different disciplinary approaches to the region, and to Iranian culture, society, and politics in particular.<\/p>\n<p>-Critical thinking skills to enable the student to place recent and current regional events related to Iran in historical context.<\/p>\n<p>-Ability to question and problematize popular accounts of Iran&#8217;s past and present.<\/p>\n<p>-Exposure to key elements of Iranian society and culture, and their relationship to surrounding societies and cultures.<\/p>\n<p>-4th-semester proficiency in Persian or beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Special Accomodations\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>For those with prior study of Persian, a placement exam is offered by the USC Language Center to determine language level. If student proficiency surpasses the third-semester college level, Dr. Peyman Nojoumian should be consulted about a higher-level proficiency exam.<\/p>\n<p>A special accommodation is in place for majors in the Department of Political Science and International Relations who minor in Iranian Studies. Courses that are cross-listed between MDES and IR can satisfy the four unique courses (at least 16 units) that must be completed outside of their major department for this interdisciplinary minor. Students will still be required, however, to complete at least four courses (16 units) that are unique to the minor (not required to meet major course requirements). A minimum of 20 units is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Academic Advising\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>To speak to a college advisor about your interests, contact Daquan Bass (<a class=\"ms-outlook-linkify\" href=\"mailto:dbass@usc.edu\">dbass@usc.edu<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"background-images\">\n          <div class=\"swiper swiper-background-images\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Feu5TwpUcAALG9R-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Feu5TwpUcAALG9R-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Feu5TwpUcAALG9R-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Feu5TwpUcAALG9R-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Doheny_Memorial_Library_20221019_08-2-768x432.png\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Doheny_Memorial_Library_20221019_08-2-768x432.png 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Michelson_Hall_20221020_01-768x432.png\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Michelson_Hall_20221020_01-1280x720.png 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/USC_DCLAS_Building_Details_Michelson_Hall_20221020_01-768x432.png 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1421-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1421-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1421-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1421-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        role=\"presentation\"\n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--accordions \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--accordions\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          OVERVIEW\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n  \n      <ul>\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-1-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-controls=\"section-1-1-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Required Language Course<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-1-awYOgSTG8M\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-1-awYOgSTG8M\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>IRAN 250: Persian IV<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-2-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-controls=\"section-1-2-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Required Lower-Division Course<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-2-awYOgSTG8M\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-2-awYOgSTG8M\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Select one of the following:<\/p>\n<p>MDES 201: The Middle East: Global and Environmental Perspectives <em>(GE-G)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>MDES 213: From Antiquity to Modernity (GE-C)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-3-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-controls=\"section-1-3-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Required Upper-Division Course<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-3-awYOgSTG8M\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-3-awYOgSTG8M\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>MDES 313: Modern Iran<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-4-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-controls=\"section-1-4-awYOgSTG8M\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Iranian Studies Concentration<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-4-awYOgSTG8M\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-4-awYOgSTG8M\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><i>All students must take one of the following courses. Students may only choose IR 363, MDES 375, and POSC 351 with departmental approval.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>IRAN 320: Advanced Persian I<i><br \/>\n<\/i><\/p>\n<p>IR 363: Middle East Political Economy<\/p>\n<p>MDES 314: Politics, Ideologies, Cultures of the Global South<\/p>\n<p>MDES 345: Power and Authority in the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 375: Politics and Society in the Contemporary Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 401: Environment and Politics in the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 403:\u00a0Infrastructures of Dominance: Technology, Development and the Struggle for Power<\/p>\n<p>MDES 441: Cities of the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>POSC 351: Middle East Politics<\/p>\n<p><strong>ELECTIVE COURSES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><i>Students must take one course from the list. Students who place out of language requirements must take two elective courses. Students may only choose IR 362, IR 363, IR 464, and POSC with departmental approval.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>CLAS 349: Ancient Empires<\/p>\n<p>ECON 342: Economic Development in the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>HIST 480: Seminar in Middle East History<\/p>\n<p>IR 362: The International Relations of the Contemporary Middle East<\/p>\n<p>IR 363: Middle East Political Economy<\/p>\n<p>IR 464: US-Middle East Foreign Policy Issues<\/p>\n<p>IRAN 320: Advanced Persian I<\/p>\n<p>IRAN 325: Business Persian<\/p>\n<p>IRAN 350: Advanced Persian II<\/p>\n<p>MDES 301: The Global Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 312: Medieval Iran: Society and Culture<\/p>\n<p>MDES 314: Political Thought in the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 316: The Great Muslim Empires of the Near East and India<\/p>\n<p>MDES 324: Persian Literature<\/p>\n<p>MDES 325: Politics of Film and Literature in Modern Iran<\/p>\n<p>MDES 340: The United States and the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 345: Power and Authority in the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 375: Politics and Society in the Contemporary Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 401: Environment and Politics in the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>MDES 441: Cities of the Middle East<\/p>\n<p>POSC 351: Middle East Politics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n          <\/ul>\n  \n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E-swEAaXVj4\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" title=\"Iranian Studies Program at USC by Farhang Foundation\"><\/iframe><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-574","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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