(in Polish) Historia literatury perskiej (Z) 3600-7-IR3-HLP(Z)

This course offers a comprehensive overview of Persian-language literature, tracing its development against the backdrop of social, political, and cultural changes in the Iranian world. The course content is divided into two sections: the first covers the classical period, while the second focuses on the modern era (beginning in the 19th century).
The first part of the course is devoted to classical Persian literature and traces its history from the so-called Persian Renaissance and the revival of the New Persian language (Dari) in the 9th and 10th centuries, through to the end of the pre-modern era. The course discusses the evolution of the main literary styles of the classical period (Khorasan, Iraqi, and Indian), the role of court patronage in the development of traditional poetic genres such as the ghazal, qasida, and masnavi, as well as Sufi literature and epic poetry.
The second part of the course focuses on contemporary Persian literature, with particular emphasis on Iranian literature from the 19th century to the present day. The emphasis is placed on the analysis of modernization processes and their fundamental significance for the development of modern prose.

Term 2025Z:

The class is devoted to discussing contemporary Persian literature, with a special focus on Iranian literature, against the background of Iran's social, political and cultural changes from the 19th century to recent times. Key trends, authors and authors, and selected works from the period of reform and modernization to contemporary works will be analyzed.

The course will discuss the origins of the press and its importance in the formation of modern prose, including the novel and the essay. Special attention is given to engaged literature, which shows the complex relationship between religion, power and social resistance. The ways in which male and female writers have used metaphor and allegory to speak about forbidden and controversial topics will be analyzed.

The course also considers the development of new voices, styles and perspectives in contemporary Persian-language literature, with particular emphasis on the presence of women - both as authors and literary heroines.

An important part of the course is the analysis of selected literary texts in their historical and cultural context, which allows a better understanding of their cultural significance and social function.

Term 2026Z:

The course focuses on the study of classical Persian literature against the backdrop of social, political, and cultural changes in the Iranian world (and, more broadly, the Persian-speaking world) from the period of the so-called Persian Renaissance (9th/10th centuries) through to the end of the pre-modern era. Key trends, the most prominent male and female authors, and canonical works will be analyzed.
The course will cover the origins of the revival of the New Persian language (Dari) and the role of court patronage (e.g., the Samanids or Ghaznavids) in the development of classical poetic genres such as the ghazal, qasida, and masnavi. Particular attention is devoted to the national epic (Shahnameh) as the foundation of cultural identity and the evolution of the Persian poetic system based on classical meter (aruz).
An important element of the program is the analysis of Sufi (mystical) literature. The course will examine the ways in which poets—such as Rumi, Hafez, and Attar—utilized a rich system of metaphors, allegories, and the symbolism of love and feasting to express profound philosophical truths and challenge religious authoritarianism and the hypocrisy of the elites.
The course also covers the development of various literary styles (from the Khorasan style, through the Iraqi style, to the Indian style). Although dominated by male authors, the classical tradition will be complemented by the perspective of outstanding female poets (e.g., Rabia Balkhi and Mahsati Ganjavi).

Course coordinators

Piotr Bachtin

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

Following completion of this course students should have acquired the following knowledge, skills and competence:
KNOWLEDGE:
- has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities (literary studies or linguistics or history) necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects [K_W04];
- has detailed and organized knowledge of literature and writings of Iran/Afghanistan; can name and characterize most important phenomena/trends/literary texts/writings of Iran/Afghanistan [K_W05];
- can name and characterize basic cultural phenomena of Iran/Afghanistan [K_W10];
- has rudimentary knowledge of translation rules from Persian into Polish [K_W15];
- demonstrates basic grasp of contemporary cultural life of Iran/Afghanistan [K_W16];
- knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various products of culture characteristic of chosen theories and schools of research within the scope of cultural and literary studies, linguistics, philosophy and religion studies and history [K_W18];
- knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various products of culture characteristic of local traditions in Iran/Afghanistan [K_W19].
SKILLS:
- can indicate sources of cultural differences between the countries of the Orient or Africa [K_U02];
- can read, analyze and interpret literary texts and other works of culture (film, press, social writing) of a chosen region in Iran/Afghanistan and appropriately place them in their cultural context [K_U06];
- can compare and perceive interrelations between chosen literary texts and other works of culture (film, press, social writing) of a chosen region in Iran/Afghanistan and the issues within the scope of tradition and modern times [K_U07];
- can analyze most important phenomena/trends in art (painting, sculpture, architecture, other fields) of Iran/Afghanistan [K_U08];
- can indicate most important intellectual problems, dilemmas, aesthetic preferences taking shape inside the culture of Iran/Afghanistan [K_U10];
- can translate literary texts and writings from Persian language into Polish [K_U14];
- can interpret key terms from a chosen culture of Iran/Afghanistan through linguistic/philological analysis [K_U15];
- can properly function in the linguistic and cultural environment of a chosen region in Iran/Afghanistan [K_U17];
- has a skill in presenting detailed aspects within the scope of cultural issues of Iran/Afghanistan in Polish and in Persian language taking into consideration the intellectual tradition of Iran/Afghanistan [K_U21].
SOCIAL COMPETENCE:
- understands the need to learn all one’s life [K_K01];
- can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity [K_K04];
- has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world [K_K05];
- sees the need of dialogue between cultures [K_K06];

- is aware of significance the culture of the countries in the Orient or Africa have for the culture of the world [K_K07];
- acts in aid of sharing and promoting cultural and linguistic heritage of Iran/Afghanistan [K_K08];
- perceives the positive socio-cultural values of Iran/Afghanistan and possibility to use them in own personal development and effective intercultural communication [K_K09].

Assessment criteria

- continuous assessment;
- dedicated paper (if needed);
- attendance control;
- oral examination.

Attendance at the lecture is mandatory.

Course credit is granted based on attendance.

Two unexcused absences are permitted per semester (4 class hours out of 30 class hours; 1 class hour = 45 minutes).

Bibliography

M. Składankowa, Kultura Perska, Warszawa 1995.
M. Składankowa, Zrozumieć Iran, Warszawa 1996.
J. Rypka (ed.), Historia literatury perskiej i tadżyckiej, Warszawa 1970.
J. Rypka (ed.), The History of Iranian Literature, Dordrecht 1968.
M.R. Ghanoonparvar, From Prophets of Doom to Chroniclers of Gloom, Mazda Publishers 2021.
K. Rastegar, Literary Modernity between the Middle East and Europe: Textual transactions in nineteenth-century Arabic, English, and Persian literatures, Routledge 2007.

Term 2025Z:

Selected literature on the subject:
M.R. Ghanoonparvar, From Prophets of Doom to Chroniclers of Gloom, Mazda Publishers 2021.
K. Rastegar, Literary Modernity between the Middle East and Europe: Textual transactions in nineteenth-century Arabic, English, and Persian literatures, Routledge 2007.

Selected works:
S. Hedayat, The Blind Owl
J. Al-e Ahmad, Gharbzadegi
S. Daneshvar, short stories

Term 2026Z:

Selected literature on the subject:

J. Rypka (red.), Historia literatury perskiej i tadżyckiej, Warszawa 1970.
M. Składankowa, Kultura perska, Wrocław 1995.