Course Schedule
RELI 285 – Jews of Persia: History, Culture, Identity
This Building Connection GenEd course explores the rich and enduring history of the Jewish community of Persia, one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the sixth century B.C.E. From Cyrus the Great's liberation of the Jews to their ongoing presence in Iranian society, Persian Jews have played a vital role in shaping Persian culture, contributing significantly to literature, philosophy, science, the arts, and the economy. Through historical analysis as well as literary and political perspectives, students will examine key moments in this community's evolution, including its role in the modernization of Iran during the Pahlavi era, the impact of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the complex realities faced by Iranian Jews both in Iran and in diaspora. The course will also highlight Jewish populations in other Persianate societies such as Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the experiences of Iranian Jewish diasporas, particularly in Israel and California, to explore themes of identity, memory, and cultural transformation. By integrating Jewish history into the studies of the Persianate societies, this course offers an interdisciplinary and inclusive approach to understanding Iranian minorities and their lasting influence within Persianate societies.
This Building Connection GenEd course explores the rich and enduring history of the Jewish community of Persia, one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the sixth century B.C.E. From Cyrus the Great's liberation of the Jews to their ongoing presence in Iranian society, Persian Jews have played a vital role in shaping Persian culture, contributing significantly to literature, philosophy, science, the arts, and the economy. Through historical analysis as well as literary and political perspectives, students will examine key moments in this community's evolution, including its role in the modernization of Iran during the Pahlavi era, the impact of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the complex realities faced by Iranian Jews both in Iran and in diaspora. The course will also highlight Jewish populations in other Persianate societies such as Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the experiences of Iranian Jewish diasporas, particularly in Israel and California, to explore themes of identity, memory, and cultural transformation. By integrating Jewish history into the studies of the Persianate societies, this course offers an interdisciplinary and inclusive approach to understanding Iranian minorities and their lasting influence within Persianate societies.