MA French and Persian
About this course
French and Persian is a combination that pairs two of the world's most culturally and historically significant languages, each with a literary tradition of extraordinary depth and a global reach that extends far beyond its national borders. French is the language of the Enlightenment, of Proust and Camus, and of a Francophone world spanning Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia; it is also the language of international diplomacy, law, and a major share of global cultural production. Persian, one of the world's oldest continuously spoken languages, is the tongue of Hafez, Rumi, and a classical literary tradition that ranks among the greatest in the world, alongside its role as the living language of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan and a vehicle of Central Asian and Mughal cultural heritage. At the University of St Andrews, this five-year full-time programme develops you to a high level of proficiency in both French and Persian while engaging you with the literary, cultural, and historical traditions of the Francophone and Persophone worlds. Your French studies will take you through the history of French and Francophone literature and culture, developing your language skills to an advanced level and your ability to engage with French society, politics, and cultural life. Your Persian studies will develop both classical and modern Persian, giving you access to the great texts of the literary tradition alongside contemporary Iranian culture, politics, and society. The five-year duration provides the space to develop genuine depth in both languages, which differ radically in their structure, script, and cultural context. Graduates with this linguistic combination are sought in diplomacy, intelligence, international organisations, academic research, translation, journalism, and any professional context that requires engagement with the French-speaking or Persian-speaking worlds. Postgraduate study in modern languages, translation, or area studies is a natural continuation.
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