TISS – Parzor Certificate Programme
Programme Proposal for the Parzor-TISS Certificate in Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage Studies
Background
The Parsi-Zoroastrian community, its history, assimilation in India and multicultural heritage
makes for a highly significant area of contemporary socio-politico-cultural study and
discourse. The story of the community’s resilience and cultural survival is a case-study in
tradition and continuity, adaptation and assimilation, multiculturalism and philanthropy; not
one of refugee victimhood and oblivion, but of agency and ownership, with the idea of giving
back to the society. Today, with refugees travelling across the globe, the Parsi Zoroastrian
paradigm is an example of integration while maintaining a distinct cultural identity. This
unique identity of the community is a confluence of its Iranian and Indian background, with
European and even Chinese influence. The cultural wisdom and entrepreneurial zeal of the
community is evident in varied spheres from ecological best practices to the pivotal role in
shaping contemporary cities like Mumbai. However, a systematic academic study of the Parsi-
Zoroastrian community and its imprint on society has not been attempted heretofore in India
or outside, nor have formal Cultural Studies been instituted in the field.
Parzor and TISS have collaborated and signed an MOU in August 2022 with the goal to offer
the first systematic programme of study on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage within an
academic institution.
TISS-Parzor Academic Programme
The academic programme on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage aims to advance the
understanding of the community and diverse perspectives through academic frameworks
provided by history, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, economics and philosophy.
The courses will be taught by a combination of resident faculty members and guest lecturers
from institutes across the globe, who are subject experts in the field of Zoroastrian Studies.
The programme will also tap into young researchers and professionals in emerging and
specialized fields, guided by those who have spent a lifetime in protecting this heritage. This
Programme will add value to the study of the Humanities, and appeal to young students across
disciplines, who wish to explore new ideas while earning credits for the coursework towards
their diploma or degree. The programme will highlight how an ancient culture has remained
relevant through modern ideas, and discuss pertinent issues such as Environment, Pollution,
Demographics, Migration, Diasporas, Global Cultures, Continuity and Change.
Certificate Programme Structure, Duration and Fees
The Academic Programme is being launched with an Online Certificate Course of 20 credits
with a duration of around nine months. The structure of the first iteration of the Certificate is
shown in Annexure A. There is one Compulsory Core Course on Philosophy, History & Culture
and a choice from ten Elective Courses across five different tracks, viz. Languages, Literature,
History, Art & Culture, and Contemporary Studies of Parsi-Zoroastrianism. A student would be
required to undertake a Research Project / Dissertation or Field Study for successful
completion. Annexure B provides a tentative academic calendar with the programme starting
during the last week of August 2024, and being completed in May 2025. Each course is
proposed to run for a 10-week duration with a total class time for 3 hours each week.
The per student fee for the complete TISS-Parzor Certificate is proposed to be ₹ 50,000 + GST.
It is proposed that prospective students may be allowed to opt for individual courses (modular
option) if they do not wish to enrol for the complete Certificate programme. The fee for
enrolling for an individual 2-credit Course is proposed to be ₹ 7,000 + GST. Participants
successfully completing the course requirements will obtain a completion certificate.
Participants enrolling only for individual Elective Courses will need to demonstrate sufficient
background knowledge, failing which they will be required to complete the Foundation Course
as a pre-requisite. International students will be charged a mark-up to the above fees based
on existing TISS guidelines as shared by the TISS Office of International Affairs.
Learning Outcomes
The main aims (learning outcomes) of the Academic Programme are to:
Encourage the study and preservation of tangible and intangible forms of a heritage of
humanity in need of preservation.
Enable students to develop a unique understanding of cultures and communities through
the core and elective courses.
Make the Parsi Zoroastrian perspective known to a generation which has not been
exposed to this culture.
Encourage the study of Central Asian cultures as a sister cultural sphere with India.
Explain the core customs and rituals that form the heart of Zoroastrianism vis-a-vis the
current ecological scenario.
Provide a consolidated digital resource platform offering online access to rare Zoroastrian
texts from the world over.
Showcase crafts and customs in traditional and AV formats from Parzor Foundation’s
archives to understand symbols and a continuity of culture, and enable further research
on this cultural heritage.
Annexure A – Course structure
Course structure for Online Certificate on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage
Courses eligible for transfer to equivalent International Credits
Each course is worth 2 credits. A student is required to complete a total of 20 credits to fulfil the
requirements of the Certificate.
Compulsory Foundation Course: Philosophy, History, Culture
Dr. Shernaz Cama, Prof. Almut Hintze and other guest faculty
Elective Track Elective Courses
Language & Tradition
1. Oral Tradition, Ecology and Rituals
Dr. Sarah Stewart and other guest faculty
2. Avestan language
Prof. Almut Hintze and other guest faculty
Parsi Literature
3. Parsi Literature in English
Prof. Coomi Vevaina and other guest faculty
4. Persian & Parsi Gujarati Literature
Dr. Kerman Daruwalla and other guest faculty
Historical Perspectives
5. History, Archaeology and Heritage
Dr. Kurush Dalal and other guest faculty
6. Print History & Journalism
Dr. Firdaus Gandavia and other guest faculty
Contemporary Studies
7. Parsis and Modern India
Dr. Meher Mistry and other guest faculty
8. Zoroastrian Demographics
Prof. Siva Raju and other guest faculty
Art, Architecture &
9. Material Culture: Arts, Crafts & Architecture
Material Culture Prof. Kavas Kapadia and other guest faculty
10. Parsi Theatre & Performing Arts
Dr. Abhimanyu Acharya and other guest faculty
Annexure B – Academic calendar
Tentative timetable for Certificate Programme
SEMESER-1
week no. date core course elec-1 elec-3 elec-5 elec-7 hours/wk
1 26-Aug-24 3 3
2 2-Sep-24 3 3
3 9-Sep-24 3 3
4 16-Sep-24 3 3
5 23-Sep-24 3 3 6
6 30-Sep-24 3 3 6
7 7-Oct-24 3 3 3 9
8 14-Oct-24 3 3 3 3 12
9 21-Oct-24 3 3 3 3 3 15
10 28-Oct-24 3 3 3 3 3 15
11 4-Nov-24 3 3 3 3 12
12 11-Nov-24 3 3 3 3 12
13 18-Nov-24 3 3 3 3 12
14 25-Nov-24 3 3 3 3 12
15 2-Dec-24 3 3 3 9
16 9-Dec-24 3 3 3 9
17 16-Dec-24 3 3 6
18 23-Dec-24 3 3
Course hours total 30 30 30 30 30
SEMESER-2
week no. date elec-9 elec-2 elec-4 elec-6 elec-8 elec-10 hours/wk
1 6-Jan-25 3 3 3 9
2 13-Jan-25 3 3 3 9
3 20-Jan-25 3 3 3 9
4 27-Jan-25 3 3 3 9
5 3-Feb-25 3 3 3 9
6 10-Feb-25 3 3 3 9
7 17-Feb-25 3 3 3 9
8 24-Feb-25 3 3 3 9
9 3-Mar-25 3 3 3 9
10 10-Mar-25 3 3 3 9
11 17-Mar-25 3 3 3 9
12 24-Mar-25 3 3 3 9
13 31-Mar-25 3 3 3 9
14 7-Apr-25 3 3 3 9
15 14-Apr-25 3 3 3 9
16 21-Apr-25 3 3 3 9
17 28-Apr-25 3 3 3 9
18 5-May-25 3 3 3 9
19 12-May-25 3 3 3 9
20 19-May-25 3 3 3 9
Course hours total 30 30 30 30 30 30
Semester is correct, Semeser is wrong.
Seems like a good program that could also result in a Book Publication for Historical Records.