The present study aimed to design a curriculum model for rational education based on Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh within the framework of Tyler’s four-stage curriculum model. This qualitative research adopted a theory-based design approach. Data were collected through qualitative content analysis of 13 selected stories from the Shahnameh, organized using thematic analysis, from which the core theme of "wisdom" (Khrad) was extracted. These indigenous Iranian-Islamic concepts were then systematically integrated with contemporary psychological theories of wisdom—specifically Ardelt’s three-dimensional model and Sternberg’s balance theory—and structured into a coherent curriculum framework.



The study provides an indigenous solution whereby the final model clearly outlines educational objectives, content, teaching-learning strategies, and assessment methods across cognitive, affective, and conative domains. This model translates the epic’s philosophical narratives into operational classroom activities, such as philosophical inquiry circles, role-playing, reflective writing, and social projects. The findings indicate that the Shahnameh offers a rich and indigenous framework for rational-ethical education. The proposed model provides curriculum specialists with a systematic and practical roadmap for fostering critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and practical wisdom in learners by integrating Iran’s intellectual heritage with contemporary educational necessities.