ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Harvard University’s Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Department began offering its first Kurdish language course this fall semester, with the establishment of the course being described as “historic” by its professor.
In addition to the Kurdish language, the course will also dive into the historically-marginalized nation’s culture, history, and language.
The university began offering the course after an advocacy campaign from students with Kurdish speaking backgrounds.
“It’s very different from the other language courses I took, just because it’s also a cultural immersion and very research-based as well,” Janan Iranbomy, a student attending the course and one of those who pushed for its creation, told the university newspaper’s Harvard Crimson.
Professor Ahmad Mohammadpour from Iran’s western Kurdish regions (Rojhelat) teaches the course at the prestigious university. He said that by offering this course, the university has “put a smile on the lips of millions of Kurds.”
Mohammadpour stressed the importance of teaching Kurdish language and history to students interested in learning about the Middle East , and expressed hope that Harvard will continue to offer the course in the upcoming semesters as well.
Founded in 1636, Harvard is an Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is one of the world’s top private universities. It is globally renowned for its student body and faculty as well as its state-of-the-art facilities.
In addition to the Kurdish language, the course will also dive into the historically-marginalized nation’s culture, history, and language.
The university began offering the course after an advocacy campaign from students with Kurdish speaking backgrounds.
“It’s very different from the other language courses I took, just because it’s also a cultural immersion and very research-based as well,” Janan Iranbomy, a student attending the course and one of those who pushed for its creation, told the university newspaper’s Harvard Crimson.
Professor Ahmad Mohammadpour from Iran’s western Kurdish regions (Rojhelat) teaches the course at the prestigious university. He said that by offering this course, the university has “put a smile on the lips of millions of Kurds.”
Mohammadpour stressed the importance of teaching Kurdish language and history to students interested in learning about the Middle East , and expressed hope that Harvard will continue to offer the course in the upcoming semesters as well.
Founded in 1636, Harvard is an Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is one of the world’s top private universities. It is globally renowned for its student body and faculty as well as its state-of-the-art facilities.
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