Lecture, four hours. Examination of Persian music in historical, social, linguistic, and cultural contexts. Discussion of musical forms, rules of improvisation, structure of modal system and rhythmic cycles, religious music, and traditional and modern pop music. Consideration of interrelationships between musical genres and other art forms (dance, theater, visual arts, and literature) and analysis of how these types of music have intersected with issues of race, class, gender, religion, ritual, politics, social movements, and cultural identity. Includes detailed introduction to musical terms and concepts throughout. Letter grading.