China through Persian Texts

Service Description

This advanced course explores the rich history of Sino-Persian interactions and perceptions through close engagement with original Persian writings on China spanning from early Islamic centuries to the modern era. In each session, students will focus on a specific Persian text to analyze how China was depicted, imagined, and engaged across a wide array of genres—including history, art, travelogues, religious accounts, diplomatic records, and political correspondence. The course emphasizes contextual reading, genre-specific terminology, and stylistic evolution, training participants to navigate the linguistic shifts, idiomatic expressions, and cross-cultural concepts that characterize Persianate views of China over time. It is especially beneficial for advanced Persian learners, graduate students, and researchers in Iranian studies, Central Asian and Silk Road studies, East Asian relations, and Persianate world history who seek direct access to diverse primary sources without reliance on translations. * The course starts during the first week of October and concludes in the second week of December, spanning 10 weeks (10 sessions). The exact days and times will be scheduled based on the availability of both the instructor and the learners. * Once learners enroll, Silk Road Academy will coordinate the class schedule, process payments, and manage administrative details. * Silk Road Academy can issue invoices so learners can request reimbursement from their affiliated universities or institutions. * Class days and times may be adjusted in accordance with the request of enrollees. * Registered participants will receive full access to recorded session videos and all course materials.