Shii News – Academic Items

1.Ferdowsi Summer School

Two upcoming online summer courses, which will start this August.

1. The first online course, titled The Shahname: Introduction to the Iranian Epic, is a weekly course held every Friday for two hours. It is designed for anyone interested in a fast but thorough philological and linguistic introduction to the Shahname.

Throughout the course, we will examine the text from a variety of perspectives, focusing on its historical, literary, mythological, philological, etymological and linguistic aspects. Participants will also gain mastery of the philological and linguistic tools necessary for reading and studying the Shahname independently.

In addition, the course will introduce participants to the principal academic scholarship on the Shahname, as well as the dictionaries, reference works, and other essential resources most commonly used in philological and linguistic research on the text.

2. The second course, Introduction to Pahlavi: Summer School of Middle Persian, begins on August 10 and runs for three weeks. Classes meet from Monday to Thursday for three hours each day.

This intensive course is designed as a beginner’s introduction to Zoroastrian Middle Persian (Pahlavi) and covers its grammatical, historical, literary, and philological aspects. Participants will start with the fundamentals of the language and gradually build the knowledge and skills necessary for the independent reading, understanding, and study of Middle Persian texts.

They will also be introduced to the Inscriptional Pahlavi script used in royal inscriptions and will learn to read inscriptions during the first week of the course. In addition, they will receive an introduction to the principles of the Book Pahlavi script, although the primary emphasis of the course will remain on the Inscriptional Pahlavi script.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to read Middle Persian texts of moderate difficulty in transcription and critical editions, as well as read and understand Middle Persian inscriptions independently.

The course will also introduce participants to the history of Middle Persian studies, the principal academic literature on the subject, and the most important critical editions and research tools available. All course materials will be provided, enabling participants to continue their study of Middle Persian independently after the course has concluded.

Ferdowsi School of Persian Literature

Yerevan, Armenia

Website: www.ferdowsi.org

 

 

 

 

 

2. New Date: July 23 – Topographies of the Unseen

The lecture has been postponed to 23rd July.

PMA Talk Series: “Topographies of the Unseen: Illustrated Hafiz Manuscripts and the ‘World of Image’ in Early Modern Iran” (Dr. Michael Chagnon, Aga Khan Museum)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Call for Applications: Third Round of the ISJ Writing Program
The ISJ Writing Program: From Research to Publication

We are excited to announce the launch of the Third Round of the Iranian Studies Journal Writing Program: From Research to Publication. Designed for junior scholars and graduate students specializing in Iranian studies, this program is built on the success of our inaugural course. It will provide you with the skills you need to produce high-quality academic work and successfully navigate the publication process. The curriculum covers essential topics like sourcing credible resources, choosing impactful research topics, and transforming conference presentations into publishable journal articles.

Course Details

• Start Date: September 25, 2026
• Course Duration: 10 weeks
• Key Topics:
  • Identifying and evaluating credible resources
  • Formulating clear and focused research questions
  • Understanding positionality in research
  • Navigating the differences between Persian and English academic writing traditions
  • Utilizing AI tools ethically in academic writing
  • Drafting, revising, and finalizing academic papers
  • Proper citation and avoiding plagiarism
  • Transitioning from conference presentations to journal articles

Who Should Apply?

This program is suitable for junior scholars and graduate students who are ready to take their academic writing to the next level. If you’re looking to refine your writing for publication, this course offers practical skills and invaluable insights. Priority will be given to scholars currently affiliated with academic institutions in Iran and the region.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can apply through the provided Google Form. The application deadline is September 15, 2026.

Contact Information

For any questions or more information, please email:

• Nasrin Rahimieh, Editor: nasrin.rahimieh@uci.edu
• Farshad Sonboldel, Deputy Editor: fsonboldel@ucsd.edu

 

فراخوان ثبت‌نام
کارگاه مقاله نویسی مجله ایران‌پژوهی: از پژوهش تا انتشار

مجله ایران‌پژوهی آغاز ثبت‌نام برای دوره سوم کارگاه آنلاین ۱۰ هفته‌ای و رایگان مقاله نویسی، با عنوان کارگاه مقاله نویسی مجله ایران‌پژوهی: از پژوهش تا انتشار را اعلام می‌کند! این دوره جامع برای پژوهشگران جوان و دانشجویان تحصیلات تکمیلی در حوزه ایران‌پژوهی طراحی شده است و با تکیه بر موفقیت دوره‌ٔ پیشین، به گونه‌ای تدوین شده است که شما را با مهارت‌های لازم برای تولید مقالات علمی با کیفیت و گذر موفق از فرآیند انتشار آشنا کند. برنامه به موضوعات کلیدی مقاله‌نویسی علمی، از جمله یافتن و ارزیابی منابع معتبر، انتخاب موضوعات پژوهشی، و تبدیل ارائه‌های کنفرانسی به مقالات علمی می‌پردازد.

درباره این دوره:

• شروع دوره: ۳ مهر ۱۴۰۵ (September 25, 2026)
• مدت دوره: ۱۰ هفته
• موضوعات کلیدی:
  • شناسایی و ارزیابی منابع علمی معتبر
  • تدوین سوالات پژوهشی روشن و هدفمند
  • درک نقش موقعیت‌مندی در پژوهش
  • بررسی تفاوت‌های مقاله‌نویسی دانشگاهی فارسی و انگلیسی
  • استفاده اخلاقی و مؤثر از ابزارهای هوش مصنوعی در پژوهش
  • مراحل پیش‌نویس، بازبینی و تکمیل مقالات دانشگاهی
  • ارجاع‌دهی صحیح و پیشگیری از سرقت ادبی
  • تبدیل ارائه‌های کنفرانسی به مقالات دانشگاهی

چه کسانی میتوانند برای شرکت در دوره درخواست دهند؟

این برنامه برای پژوهشگران جوان و دانشجویان تحصیلات تکمیلی طراحی شده است که به دنبال ارتقاء مهارت‌های مقاله‌نویسی دانشگاهی خود در حوزه ایران‌پژوهی هستند. چه در ابتدای مسیر پژوهشی باشید و چه در تلاش برای ارتقای مهارت‌های نویسندگی جهت انتشار مقالات، این دوره می‌تواند آموزه‌های عملی ارزشمندی را در اختیار شما قرار دهد. اولویت با پژوهشگرانی است که در حال حاضر با مؤسسات علمی در ایران یا منطقه (به عنوان دانشجوی تحصیلات تکمیلی، مدرس یا پژوهشگر) همکاری دارند.

فرآیند درخواست:

داوطلبان علاقه‌مند می‌توانند فرم گوگل ارائه‌شده را تکمیل کنند. مهلت ارسال درخواست‌ها ۲۴ شهریور ۱۴۰۵ (September 15, 2026) است.

اطلاعات تماس:

برای پرسش یا اطلاعات بیشتر، با ما در ارتباط باشید:

• پروفسور نسرین رحیمیه، سردبیر rahimieh@uci.edu
• دکتر فرشاد سنبل‌دل، معاون سردبیر fsonboldel@ucsd.edu

 

 

 

 

 

4. Intellect is pleased to present Performing Islam Volume 13

For more information about the journal and issue click here>>

https://www.intellectbooks.com/performing-islam

In Memoriam

Articles

Constituting migrant Muslims of Kerala: Family, sexuality and visual culture

KAMAL SALHI AND HASHIK NADUKKANDIYIL

Historical (in)accuracy in drama: An examination of creative licence through The Legend of Nizam Saqqa

SAMEER AHM

Playscript

Lawrence in Lahore: The Lost Years

FAWZIA AFZAL-KHAN AND SHAHID NADEEM

 

 

 

 

5. Iran Amplified: One Hundred Years of Music and Society (Harvard, 2026)

This is the first edited volume on music in modern Iran, and presents a cross-genre collection of compelling scholarship, musician narratives, and primary sources. Seizing on a burgeoning academic field, the volume offers historiography and critical examination of music’s significant role in social and political mediation in Iran spanning the past 100 years. In 26 research chapters and 14 vignettes, 35 contributors investigate music in modern Iran through central analytical vectors such as Islam, gender, media technology, alterity, transnational flows, and diasporic communities.

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674302846

Posted in: Academic items