Persian women born in the late 19th century and early decades of the 20th century grew up in a period of major political, social, and cultural change that impacted women. A course reading, Memories of a Persian Childhood, illustrates the important role of the family and childhood experiences in the lives of a first generation of women to have access to a modern education, and step beyond traditional boundaries. Women’s personal writings are the main sources we use to learn about female aspirations, hopes and disappointments as well as the challenge of living in a patriarchal society that took for granted that a woman would devote her life to caring for home and family. We will explore how this generation navigated restraints on women in the years of Pahlavi rule (1925-1979) and served as a model of female contribution for a young generation following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Each seminar will consist of the instructor’s introductory comments, a discussion of the assigned readings and an exchange of opinions about the life of women in different environments. The final mark is based on the readings in the course syllabus, the instructor’s lectures, and class discussions of assigned topics. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.