Persian and English Literature, MA (Hons)

Persian is one of the major languages of the Middle East and Central Asia. Its local variants are Dari (Afghanistan) and Tajik (Tajikistan). Collectively, these are the first language of over 120 million people. This ranks Persian among the world's 20 most widely spoken native languages. To study Persian is to enter into a rich and diverse culture that has produced major epic and Sufi poets, exquisite miniature painting, fine textiles and world-class cinema. The language is also a gateway to modern Iran, a dynamic society at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Our joint honours programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Persian, enabling you to access a wide range of original material. As well as developing your language skills, you will also study Iran's historical, literary, cultural and political life, as well as the rich intellectual heritage of Islam. Studying English Literature will further develop your critical, analytic, linguistic and creative skills by engaging with a broad range of texts and a variety of approaches to reading. You will explore the cultural contexts of writing in English from the late Middle Ages to the present, specialising at honours level in specific topics, periods or genres.Studying this joint honours combination prepares you to contribute to a society in which an understanding of texts of all kinds is crucially important. It shows an openness to ideas and perspectives other than your own, an essential attribute in many careers and a global marketplace. Why Edinburgh Edinburgh is the first UNESCO World City of Literature, a global literary city which many greats of literature have called home. The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the research-led study of Persian, together with Arabic, Islam, and the Middle East. We are also the oldest centre for the study of English Literature in the UK, one of the longest established in the world.From the University's Special Collections to the National Library of Scotland, the city's resources for studying literatures, languages and cultures are exceptional.When you graduate, you will have the combination of a broad cultural education and the specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.