The focus of the course this term is the work of the Iranian writer Simin Daneshvar (b. 1921). The work covered in this course is available in English translation. The literary works selected for the course and cited in the course bibliography (nos.1-3) will be discussed in terms of how they relate to cultural, political and social circumstances in Iran during the 1950s-1960s. The course is conducted as a seminar. There will be no formal lectures apart from introductory comments for each seminar topic. Participants are expected to come to the seminars prepared to discuss the assigned topics. Attendance in the seminars is crucial. Following the seminar (or seminars) on topics listed in the course outline, students will submit short papers based on their reading and on class discussion.