Persian Culture: just another “unique manifestation of the human spirit”
“The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed
attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit. “
---- Wade Davis
One reason Marjane Satrapi gave for writing the graphic novel, Perspepolis, was her need to
show Iran as a real, complex country, and the people as real and as complex as any other
collection of citizens.
In part because of America’s political relationship with Iran, and in part because a lack of
knowledge can easily breed fear, stereotype and prejudice, Americans have traditionally had a
very flat picture of this country, its culture, and its people.
For your last assignment of the unit, you are going to give your peers a much more subtle,
complicated, and true picture of the culture of ancient Persia, and modern Iran.
Assignment: A 10 slide PPT or Prezi, educating your peers about one aspect of
Persian art, craft, or culture and analyzing its impact on the country of Iran.
1 - introductory slide
2 - topic slide
3 - history slide
4 - culture slide
5- modern example slide
6- elaboration slide (your choice)
7- what characteristics does this art have (your inferences here)
8 - how does this art form demonstrate Persian/Iranian beliefs and attitudes? (e)
9 - compare and Contrast with similar American art form
10 - what does our American art say about American beliefs and attitudes? (e)
If you are working in partner pairs: Split slides 1-6 between you. One person then takes slides 78, and one person takes slides 9-10. Please make sure your name is in the notes section of each
of “your” slides. You will present your own slides, and be responsible for responding to
questions about your slides.
Possible art forms: rugs, painting, pottery, architecture, gardens, poetry (Hafiz and Rumi
especially!) calligraphy, tile, metalwork, mina-kari, sculpture, environmental design,
classical Persian music, modern pop music, Persian cinema, ballet, dance, theatre, etc. etc.
Due Date: Thursday, June 11
Persian Culture Presentation Rubric
Organization
Subject Knowledge
Graphics/Images
Research
Design
Oral Presentation
Elocution/Eye
Contact
Exemplary
Accomplished
Developing
Beginning
Information
carefully presented
in the assigned
sequence, with
smooth transitions.
Demonstrates
strong knowledge
of subject via
presentation and
follow up Q & A.
Information in
logical sequence
Difficult to follow
presentation-student jumps
around
At ease with
expected answers
to questions but
does not elaborate
Uncomfortable with
information and is
able to answer only
rudimentary
questions
Carefully chosen to
display variety and
elaboration on the
art
Cites three or more
different sources
for this presentation
(no wiki, please!)
Includes a variety
of graphics, text,
color and
transitions that lend
the presentation a
uniqueness and a
sense of wholeness.
Maintains eye
contact and
pronounces all
terms precisely. All
audience members
can hear
Relate to text and
presentation
Occasionally uses
graphics that rarely
support text and
presentation
Cites one source,
and this source is
wide but not too
deep
Includes
combinations of
graphics and text.
Cannot
understand
presentation--no
sequence of
information
Does not have a
grasp of the
information.
Cannot answer
questions about
subject
Uses superfluous
graphics or no
graphics
Cites two different
kinds of sources for
this presentation
(no wiki, please!)
Includes a variety
of graphics, text,
and color.
Maintains eye
contact most of the
time and
pronounces most
words correctly.
Most audience
members can hear
presentation
Occasionally uses
eye contact, mostly
reading
presentation, and
incorrectly
pronounces terms.
Audience members
have difficulty
hearing
Does not justify
conclusions with
research evidence
Either confusing
or cluttered,
barren or stark.
Reads with no eye
contact and
incorrectly
pronounces terms.
Speaks too quietly
Notes:
Minimum of 10 visuals
Background of PPT needs to be a background that clearly fits with the art form. No blank white
backgrounds, please.
Conventions will be scored separately: make sure to check the spelling of all text, and review it
to ensure grammatical correctness.
Due Date: Thursday, June 11