Kaveh Farrokh will be providing a two-part lecture at the University of Southern California (USC) (topic: Iran and the Caucasus: A Long-Lasting Legacy of Historical & Cultural Ties) on April 22, 2013.

The USC lecture has been made possible by the organizational and coordination efforts of the Persian Academic and Cultural Student Association (PACSA – see Facebook) and support of the Persian American Society (PAS).

[Click to Enlarge] The lecture will focus on the overview of the cultural and historical links between Iran and the Caucasus from antiquity to the signing of the Golestan and Turkmenchai treaties in the early 19th century. Examples of topics include influences in linguistics, arts, architecture and culture over the centuries in the regions of ancient Albania (modern Republic of Azerbaijan), Armenia and Georgia (ancient Iberia and Colchis). In addition to influences from Iran proper, the role of North-Iranian speakers in Eastern Europe and their impact on the Caucasus is also examined. The lecture will conclude with the Iranian legacy in the Caucasus after the Russian conquests of 1828.

The lecture at the University of Southern California on Iran and the Caucasus: A Long-Lasting Legacy of Historical & Cultural Ties will be held at:

Location: USC-Waite Phillips Hall (Room WPH B27) – 3470 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, CA 90089

Time: 6:30 pm

 

Kaveh Farrokh will be providing a lecture at Portland State University (PSU) (topic: Women in Ancient Iran) on April 20, 2013.

The PSU lecture is part of larger series of talks on Persian Women organized by the Persian program at PSU and  presented with funding from PARSA Community Foundation (see Facebook) and co-sponsored by the Middle East Studies Center and the Department of World Languages & Literatures at Portland State University.

[Click to Enlarge] Kaveh Farrokh’s lecture begins with the role of women on the Iranian plateau from the Bronze Age both before and after the Indo-European arrivals. The prime importance of women in Iranian speaking tribes in the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (i.e. Scythians, Sarmatians, etc.), and the Iranian plateau are detailed, notably the Achaemenid and the ensuing Partho-Sassanian eras. (Time permitting) the discussion then draws on select highlights of the post Islamic era: notably the Karim Khan Zand era and the Constitutional Revolution.

Note that the lectures at Portland State University (April 20-21, 2013) also feature a highly impressive array of Iranologist scholars:

• Dr. Nayareh Tohidi of California State University: Women as Agents of Change in Modern Iran
• Dr. Dick Davis of Ohio State University: Women in Persian Literature
• Dr. Shahla Haeri of Boston University: Women and Political Leadership in Iran

The lecture at Portland State University on “Women in Ancient Iran” will be held at:

Location: PSU-Smith Memorial Student Union, room 238, on Broadway St

Time: 3:00 pm

Kaveh Farrokh, an instructor at the University of British Columbia’s Continuing Studies Division is offering a new course entitled:

The Forgotten Gifts of Persia

Below is the official course description:

Learn about the forgotten contributions of Persia to world civilization in the realm of technology and architecture. Topics include the world’s first movies, the artificial eye, the battery, aqueducts, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, windmills, pontoon bridges and the world’s first hospital and medical university, as well as examples of the influence of Persian architecture in China, India, Rome, Western Europe, and throughout the Middle East.

[Click to enlarge] An 18th century Persian Astrolabe  housed in Cambridge Museum’s History of Sciences section Picture source: Fouman.com).

For details consult The Forgotten Gifts of Persia | UBC Continuing Studies (pdf):

• Format: In Class
• Code: UP723 W13 A
• Start: Weds Mar 13, 2013
• Schedule: Weds  1pm – 3pm
• Location: Tapestry at Wesbrook Village (University of British Columbia Point Grey campus)

[Click to Enlarge] (RIGHT) Iranian researcher examining the artificial eye found at Shahr e Sookhteh – further tests are being conducted in Iran to determine the exact chemical composition of the prosthetic (LEFT) A curious feature of the “eye” are parallel lines that have been drawn around the pupil to form a diamond shape …READ MORE…

There is also a determined drive from the Asian Studies department of the University of British Columbia to establish a full-time Iranian Studies program.

Professor Harjot S. Oberoi of the UBC Asian Studies program introduces “An Evening with Dr. Kaveh Farrokh – Sassanian Architecture” (Monday March 12, 2011). This talk was given as part of the overall drive to promote support for the University of British Columbia’s Iranian Studies and Persian language initiative.

The Honorable Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Roberson, has conveyed his official welcome to WAALM in a letter to Prof. Dr Dorbayani (Co-founder and President) and Dr. Marjan A. Dorbayani (Co-founder & Executive Director of WAALM).

Gregor Robertson, The Honorable Mayor of Vancouver has conveyed his welcome in an official letter to WAALM.

Kaveh Farrokh is the Head of the Department of Traditions & Cultural History (استاد سنتها و تاریخ فرهنگی ازدانشکده دیپلماسی فرهنگی  -  انگلستان ) of the WAALM School of Cultural Diplomacy (WAALM-SCD).

The above letter is translated into Persian below:

از طرف تمامی همکارانم و شورای شهر ونکوور، بدینوسیله شادمانی خود را از حضور پروفسور دکتر مصطفی دربیانی و دکتر مرجان دربیانی در این شهر ابراز داشته و به آنان خیر مقدم میگویم. شهر ونگوور از داشتن پروفسور دکتر مصطفی دربیانی، دکتر مرجان دربیانی و تمامی اعضا فرهنگی-هنری آکادمی جهانی هنر ، ادبیات و رسانه ها – والم به وجد آمده و امید است تا آنان این شهر را خانه خود دانسته و همچنین این شهر را با دانش، مهارت و هنر خود زینت بخشند. شهر ونگوور، با اقتصادی قوی بر پایه فرهنگ بین الملل، بخود می بالد که توانسته یک چنین سرمایه مهم فرهنگی را بخود جذب نماید

 This is affiliated with the  Academic Council On The United Nations System (ACUNS) and The International Peace Bureau.

WAALM was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011

The Nobel Peace prize awarded to Sir Ralph Norman Angell (1872-1967) in 1933 (Photo in Public Domain). The United Nations affiliated organization ACUNS has noted that The World Academy of Arts, Literature and Media – WAALM has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (report posted in the Persianesque on-line Journal).

 

The Department of Asian Studies, University of British Columbia, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow in the field of Persian Literary Culture and /or Iranian cinema.  The Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow will have opportunities to interact with UBC colleagues on teaching and research.  The Department of Asian Studies, which has strengths in a number of areas, including  South Asian history, religion and literary culture.  Information about the Department and faculty research can be found on its website, www.asia.ubc.ca

A video tribute to the UBC Iranian Studies initiative where experts speak to this project in Persian and English. Kaveh Farrokh has been a lecturer of ancient Persian history at the UBC-Continuing Studies department since 2004.

The Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow will be appointed for one year, beginning July 1, 2013, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year subject to approval from the Department and budgetary availability.  Applicants will normally be within 3 years of being awarded the PhD.  A successful candidate will teach four single-semester undergraduate courses or sections per year.

 

The application dossier should include: a letter of application, curriculum vitae, a sample chapter or scholarly paper (maximum 30 pages), and three confidential letters of recommendation to be sent separately.  The deadline for the receipt of applications is 25 March, 2013, however the position will remain open until filled.  The start date for the position is July 1, 2013.  Send application package to Chair, Post Doctoral Teaching Fellow Search Committee, Department of Asian Studies, 1871 West Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z2.  Applications may also be submitted electronically to [email protected]

Professor Harjot S. Oberoi of the UBC Asian Studies program introduces “An Evening with Dr. Kaveh Farrokh – Sassanian Architecture” (Monday March 12, 2011). This talk was given as part of the overall drive to promote support for the University of British Columbia’s Iranian Studies and Persian language initiative.

The University of British Columbia hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity and diversity within its community.