Persian and Social Anthropology, MA (Hons)

Persian is a prominent language in the Middle East and Central Asia, with its modern variants—Farsi in Iran, Dari in Afghanistan, and Tajik in Tajikistan—serving as the first language for over 120 million people. Studying Persian immerses one in a vibrant culture renowned for epic and Sufi poetry, world-class cinema, exquisite miniature paintings, and fine textiles. This programme provides a pathway to understanding contemporary Iran, a dynamic society bridging Europe and Asia.Combined with Social Anthropology, the course allows learners to acquire Persian from beginner level, advancing to proficient translation skills over four years. This enables engagement with original materials and discussion of topical issues, while exploring human behaviour across social, cultural, religious, and political contexts. Students will study the Islamic world and Middle East under leading researchers, alongside anthropology courses that intersect with sociology, geography, and development studies. The programme equips participants with theoretical and practical tools for original research, culminating in a dissertation drawing on university resources.