Sufis and mystics like Rumi, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Francisof Assisi, and others like them are among the most influential figures in human history. Although they lived in different times and cultures, they shared the belief that the purpose of human creation is love, and they expressed their thoughts in their love poetry. In this course, we explore the life experiences of these mystics as we read their poems in English translation. We ask questions such as "What is experience?", "When can experience be called mystical?", "Is there a special connection between love and poetry?", and "Why did these thinkers express their mystical encounter with love in poetry?".

Permission required. Taught in Persian.

Blending content and advanced language acquisition, the course examines a range of issues of social significance in today's Iran from multiple perspectives. The primary focus is on developing Superior proficiency in the language and culture.

This advanced-level course introduces students to various genres of use in contemporary Persian both written and spoken. Analysis of various recurring rhetorical contexts as well as typified linguistic responses to such contexts constitutes the primary focus in the course. Taught in Persian.