An Introduction to Classical Persian Poetry: From to (CLCS 2215)

Credit Hours: 4

Course Pre-Requisites: None Instructor Name: Fatima Fayyaz

Schedule: Monday to Friday (2.00 PM – 4.50 PM)

Course Description Classical Persian poetry has a history of more than a millennium and holds a prominent place in world literature. Gems of Persian poetry continue to inspire modern readers from around the world and some have become household names in the Western world, such as Rubaiyat of Khayyam, ’s Mathnavi and the Divan of Hafiz. From tenth century to the eighteenth century, three major styles of Persian poetry flourished in the wider world of Persian influence: the Khurasani style that developed around tenth century in the eastern Persia and moving epic and illustrious panegyric poetry represent it today; the Iraqi style that emerged in western Persia around thirteenth century as a lyrical style that employs mystical themes and gnostic motifs; and the Sabk-i Hindi (the Indian style of Persian poetry) that took roots in , with the dawn of the new millennium but bloomed fully in the medieval Mughal era. Despite the differences in these styles, there is a continuity of aesthetics and poetic leitmotivs from the earliest blind bard Rudaki to the pre-modern visionary Bidel. This course, through a selection of works from the most prominent Persian poets, ranging from eleventh century poet Ferdowsi to our very own Ghalib from eighteenth century, introduces students to a wide array of classical Persian poetry. While the course will focus on themes, aesthetics and imagery throughout these three styles of classical Persian poetry, it will also emphasize on the political and historical contexts in which this poetry was produced. As the core text, both the original Persian and its translation would be used.