Roshangar Undergraduate Persian Studies Journal
About Roshangar
Roshangar Undergraduate Persian Studies Journal is a scholarly publication dedicated to showcasing the academic work and research achievements of undergraduate students at Roshan Institute for Persian Studies. The journal provides a platform for students to publish their essays, research papers, and creative works, ranging from literature to art and beyond. They offer a unique opportunity for our undergraduates to gain experience in the peer-review and publication process, fostering critical thinking and research skills. Roshangar also contributes to the dissemination of fresh perspectives and innovative ideas within academic and broader UMD communities, ultimately enriching the scholarly discourse in the field. Its previous issues were published in print format. From Spring 2023, Roshangar will be published online. It is hosted by Roshan Institute for Persian Studies.
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Roshan Institute for Persian Studies at the University of Maryland aspires to be the premier center for the learning, understanding, and appreciation of Persian culture in the United States. Toward this end, Roshan Institute seeks to provide outstanding course offerings and programs in Persian language, literature, history, and culture; to foster communication and community ties among people of Persian heritage and those interested in Persian studies; and to serve as a model for encouraging intercultural communication among peoples of varying backgrounds.
Since its inception, based on the above mission from Dr. Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali, Founder, Chair and President of Roshangar Cultural Heritage Institute, Roshan Institute for Persian Studies has played a leading role in an effort to support and bring to light 3,500 years of Persian history. Since 2012, Dr. Fatemeh Keshavarz has served as the Chair of the Roshan Institute.
Roshan Institute for Persian Studies joins the Association for Iranian Studies in expressing solidarity with the Iranian academics who have signed a petition stressing: Iranian women's right to freely choose their own outfits; the need to abolish the morality police; and the right to civic engagement for all Iranians.
If you have any questions about Roshan Institute or want to get involved, please email roshan@umd.edu
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Roshangar Undergraduate Persian Studies Journal Team
Roshan Institute Chair
Fatemeh Keshavarz, Ph.D.
She/Her
Email: fkk@umd.edu
Fatemeh Keshavarz, born and raised in the city of Shiraz, completed her studies in Shiraz University, and University of London. She taught at Washington University in St. Louis for over twenty years where she chaired the Dept. of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from 2004 to 2011. In 2012, Keshavarz joined the University of Maryland as the Roshan Institute Chair in Persian Language and Literature, and Director of the Roshan Institute Center for Persian Studies. Keshavarz is author of award winning books including Reading Mystical Lyric: the Case of Jalal al-Din Rumi (USC Press,1998), Recite in the Name of the Red Rose (USC Press, 2006) and a book of literary analysis and social commentary titled Jasmine and Stars: Reading more than Lolita in Tehran (UNC Press, 2007). She has also published other books and numerous journal articles. Keshavarz is a published poet in Persian and English and an activist for peace and justice. She was invited to speak at the UN General Assembly on the significance of cultural education. Her NPR show “The ecstatic faith of Rumi” brought her the Peabody Award in 2008. In the same year, she received the “Herschel Walker Peace and Justice Award.”
RUPSJ Director & Editor-in-Chief
Marjan Moosavi, Ph.D.
She/Her
Email: moosavi@umd.edu
Dr. Marjan Moosavi is an educator, researcher, digital curator, and dramaturg. She is the Roshan Lecturer in Persian Studies and Performing Arts and the Associate Director of the Roshan Initiative in Persian Digital Humanities at University of Maryland, where she designs curriculum, mentors graduate students, and pursues her transnational projects at the intersection of Theatre Studies and Digital Humanities. Her research has been published in venues including The Drama Review (TDR), and Asian Theatre Journal. She is a longstanding Regional Managing Editor for TheTheatreTimes.com. As a member of Roshangar’s advisory board, she feels privileged to play a role in sharing the the students’ wonderful works at UMD’s Roshan Institute for Persian Studies through Roshangar Journal.
Yara is a student at the University of Maryland, double degreeing in Psychology and Public Health Sciences and minoring in Non-Profit Leadership and Social Innovation in hopes to attend medical school. She is half-Iranian and half-Syrian and enjoys teaching about and exposing people to Middle Eastern culture through clubs and other initiatives. She also enjoys learning more about the various beautiful cultures in the Middle East herself. Through initiatives including, but not limited to, Youth of the World Orchestra, her podcast 'The Spirit of Success' (featuring an interview with singer Ahdieh Badiee in Farsi), Breaking Barriers, and A.W.A.R.E, she hopes to spark conversations as to how we can work together to unite in our diversity, contribute to positive change in our world, and learn more about one another. Yara has served as a Conversation Partner for the Roshan Institute/Persian Studies program, helping students practice their conversational Persian skills and learn more about Persian culture through one-on-one conversations with Farsi-speaking students. In addition, Yara plays various instruments, including santour and tombak. She would like to thank her mom for teaching her Farsi and helping her to develop her love for learning about diverse cultures, languages, and music, and for helping her connect with and value her cultures.
Donya is a student at the University of Maryland pursuing a degree in Public Health Science in hopes to attend Dental School after her undergraduate studies. Being a daughter of two immigrant Iranians she decided to further her education by pursuing a minor in Persian Studies. She grew a love for learning about the history of Iran whether that was through movies, art, architechure, music etc. Her Iranian heritage lead her to be involved in organizations that uplifts diversity and embraces many different backgrounds among students. She currently is a tutor for the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education and the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Phi Chi Theta business fraternity. With these experiences, Donya has learned to appreciate the value of inclusivity and cultural understanding in academic and professional settings. She has developed strong communication and leadership skills, enabling her to promote different cultures while sharing her own. In her free time she loves to play the Santoor as she has played for most of her childhood. Growing up she has grown to love her Iranian culture more and more and she hopes to contribute to this journal to allow these outstanding publishers shine great light on the country of Iran.
Assistant Editor
Tobin Jamie Johnson
They/Them
Email: tobinjj@umd.edu
Tobin Johnson is a PhD candidate in the Department of History at the University of Maryland, College Park. They study the late medieval Middle East, Balkans and Caucasus. Their interests include gender and sexuality, the history of language use, and development and change in social institutions.