Requiring no previous knowledge of the language, Introductory Persian A instructs students in the fundamentals of the Persian Language which is the mother tongue of more than 150 million people in the Middle East and is spoken today primarily in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Students will learn to master the Persian script and on completion of the course be able to speak, listen, read, write, and comprehend Modern Standard Persian at a basic level across various everyday communicative subjects in both semi-formal and formal social and literary contexts. Students will acquire a basic vocabulary of the 300-400 most commonly used words as well as understand and reproduce the most important grammatical structures in Persian. Historically, Persian was widely understood from the Mediterranean to India, and Introductory Persian A students will acquire a familiarity with the rich Persian historical, literary, and cultural legacy across the great Middle East and Central Asia with a particular focus on Iran. Students from other universities around Australia or internationally may elect to enrol cross-institutionally in this online course.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. read all characters of the Persian alphabet and simple cursive writing equivalent to usual printing or typescript containing high frequency structural patterns and vocabulary;
2. speak with understandable pronunciation and maintain simple, predictable face-to-face conversations, and responding to simple questions on familiar topics;
3. write independently with sufficient control of the Persian script and basic vocabulary with some grammatical and syntactical error (including in the present and past tense) in handwriting and/or typing; and,
4. comprehend short conversations and questions beyond basic survival needs and limited social demands in areas of immediate need or on familiar topics in both the present and past tenses.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Persian language and Culture
2	Persian Sentence Structure, Nouns, Ezafeh, Vocabulary List
3	Text- Neshaat University- Grammar: Definite and Indefinite Nouns
4	ext: My City - Grammar: Persian Irregular Verb (To be ), Personal Pronouns, Simple Past Tense	Quiz 1- March 15
5	Text: Personal Information 1- Grammar: Irregular Verb (To have), Numbers 1-100, Countable Question Word
6	Text: At the Hospital -Grammar: WH question Words, Adjectives, Uncountable Question Word	Written Assignment 1- March 31
7	Text: Personal Information 2- Grammar: Verbs in Persian, Infinitives, Simple Present Tense
8	Text: My Friend Naser- Grammar: Direct and Indirect Object
9	Text: My sister and I- Grammar: Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
10	Text: Everyday Activities/Personal Information 3- Grammar: Adverbs	Oral presentation 1- May 12
11	Text: Giving Directions- Grammar: Imperatives
12	Grammar Revision- Exercises lesson 1-1

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date
Participation- Conversation: 10%	10 %	*
Online Quiz via Wattle: 30%	30 %	15/03/2023
Written Assignment submitted via Wattle: 20%	20 %	31/03/2023
Online Recorded Oral Presentation: 20%	20 %	12/05/2023
Final Exam Online: 20%	20 %	05/06/2023

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Participation- Conversation: 10%

Students must study the content provided on the course website for each lesson each week. It is expected that at a comfortable pace this will require 2-3 hours of study. This study should be completed, where possible, by the time of the Weekly Online Tutorials (Conversation Sessions). Participation in the lecture and conversation classes is compulsory and ongoing.

Assessment Task 2

Online Quiz via Wattle: 30%

Short quizzes to assess student learning progress and will consist of a series of questions (both in multiple choice and written answers). The assessable content will be on the basis of what students have studied/learned in the relevant week’s lesson on the course website as well as previous weeks’ content. These quizzes are open-book and students can refer to the course website or other materials. The quizzes will be open throughout each week and will be closed on the submission due date. Students will receive their marks and feedback one week after the submission date.

Assessment Task 3

Written Assignment submitted via Wattle: 20%

Written Assignment is entirely in Persian. Written assignment will consist of handwriting practice in a form of translation and a short dialogue. Reinforcing vocabulary and constructions learned in class to assess student learning progress. These assignments will be issued via Wattle and must be submitted through the submission field in Wattle. Marked composition with feedback will be returned to students one week after the submission date.

Assessment Task 4

Online Recorded Oral Presentation: 20%

This oral presentation should be recorded and submitted via the course website, Wattle. Students should submit the written text of their oral presentations with the recorded file. Students will receive guidance and support in preparing presentations. Students will receive feedback on their oral presentation one week after the submission.

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam Online: 20%

Final Exam will be conducted in the same way as the quizzes on Wattle but will be comprehensive and longer – It will cover all the content learned in Introductory Persian A during the semester. It will take place at the end of the semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

One week after the submission

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students