Persian Studies Program at San Jose State University

In 2011, PARSA Community Foundation awarded San Jose State University (SJSU) with a $200,000 grant to start a Persian Studies Program. SJSU, a major public university in Silicon Valley, has built a program that offers countless opportunities for students and members of the community to encounter Persian language and culture. Soon after launching, the Persian Studies Program began offering Persian language courses for matriculated and non-matriculated students.

The early success of the Persian Studies Program resulted in additional grants, most notably from the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute and Cal Humanities. In addition to hosting cultural events, film series, and lectures the three grants have allowed the Persian Studies Program to spearhead projects and initiatives covering a wide array of topics. At their Conference on Cultures of the Iranian Diaspora in April this year, they premiered “Inja o Oonja: Stories of Iranian American Life” as part of an oral history project of Iranian Americans living in Silicon Valley.

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Persian Studies Program at San Jose State University