An approach toward periodization of Persian literary history for teaching Persian literature to non-native speakers

The preparation and compilation of a comprehensive educational curriculum is closely related to the writing of the textbooks. The periodization of Persian literary history, in accordance with educational goals, can provide a theoretical framework for Persian language training program to non-natives. In this paper, we argue for a particular approach to this periodization. The periodization is based on the reverse historical order, literary genre, literary form and literary figures. These criteria are moving in reverse historical arrangements from the contemporary period to the past and narrates the variety of literary forms and genres around prominent poets and writers of each period. For evaluating the function and the validity of this approach, the produced content (the book: The Living Tree) were taught to two groups of non-native students of Persian language (intermediate and upper-intermediate levels) and the results of a survey on their learning are analyzed. The analysis showed that both levels are satisfied with the resulting educational contents.