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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 359"
COURSE NAME: "History and Politics of Modern Iran"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Farian Sabahi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Pre-requisites: PL 209, PL 223 or Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine the history and the domestic and the foreign politics of modern Iran, highlighting its strategic role in the Middle East. It will analyse the institutional structure of the Islamic Republic, emphasizing how this political system can be classified as peculiar hybrid regime, and the role of Iranian civil society, particularly the youth and the women. Through critical analysis of the core texts and common explanatory theories (modernization theory, hybrid regimes theory, neoclassical realist theory), the course aims to examine Iran both before and after the 1979 Revolution to provide students with a multidisciplinary international relations perspective and a domestic political science approach.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course will examine the history and the domestic and the foreign politics of modern Iran, highlighting its strategic role in the Middle East. It will analyse the institutional structure of the Islamic Republic, emphasizing how this political system can be classified as peculiar hybrid regime, and the role of Iranian civil society, particularly the youth and the women. Through critical analysis of the core texts and common explanatory theories (modernization theory, hybrid regimes theory, neoclassical realist theory), the course aims to examine Iran both before and after the 1979 Revolution to provide students with a multidisciplinary international relations perspective and a domestic political science approach.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

An overview of Iran: an ethnic, religious, linguistic puzzle; Shi'i Islam; the nuclear deal (JCPOA) and international sanctions. Reza Khan's coup d’état in 1921. The rise of the modern State with Reza Shah Pahlavi (1925-1941). The Allies' invasion of Iran in 1941. Iran's role during WW2. The so-called “Children of Tehran”. The reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1941-1979). Mohammad Mosaddeq’s government and the coup d’état of 1953. The White Revolution of 1963. The Literacy Corps and its implications. Iran in the 1960s and 1970 and the economic reasons behind the Revolution of 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini. The main events leading to the Revolution of 1979 and the Islamic Republic. The seizure of the US hostages. The political institutions of the Islamic Republic. The Iran-Iraq war and its legacy. Khomeini's death in 1989. His successor Ali Khamenei. Presidents Rafsanjani, Khatami, Ahmadinejad, Rohani. Religious minorities in Iran. The Revolutionary Guards (Pasdaran). Gender issues.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the course, students will acquire a better understanding of a country characterized by complexity, will be able to understand how different Iran is compared to other countries in the Middle East, as well as the reasons behind the fears it raises within the West (US included) and amongst its regional rivals.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Revolutionary IranMichael AxworthyPenguin 978-0141046235  Hard Copy  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Written assignment (I)at least 1500 words – mid-term30%
Written assignment (II)At least 1500 words – end of course30%
Final examat the end of the course30%
Attendance and class discussion 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until TBC
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE (tentative)

 

An overview of Iran: an ethnic, religious, linguistic puzzle.

Required reading: Axworthy, Revolutionary Iran, 2013, introduction (this is your textbook, pls do get a copy asap, all other materials will be uploaded on moodle).

 

Reza Khan's coup d’état in 1921. The rise of the modern State with Reza Shah Pahlavi (1925-1941). Conscription. Persia becomes Iran.

Required reading: Ervand Abrahamian, Iran between Two Revolutions, 1982, pp. 135-165.

 

The Allies' invasion of Iran in 1941. Iran's role during WW2.

Screening of the short documentary Children of Tehran on Polish and Jewish refugees finding shelter in Iran in 1942.

Required reading: Houman Sarshar (ed.), Ester's Children. A Portrait of Iranian Jews, 2005, p. 246.

 

The reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1941-1979).

Mohammad Mosaddeq’s government and the coup d’état of 1953.

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 1.

 

The White Revolution of 1963. The Literacy Corps and its implications.

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 2.

 

Iran in the 1960s and 1970 and the economic reasons behind the Revolution of 1979.

Screening of Kamran Shirdel's documentaries (on poverty and prostitution in Tehran).

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 2.

 

The main events leading to the Revolution of 1979 and the Islamic Republic.

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 2.

 

Ayatollah Khomeini's biography, writings and political views.

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 3.

 

The seizure of the US hostages.

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 3.

 

The Iran-Iraq war and its legacy.

Screening of the film: Bashu the Little Stranger by Bahram Beizai.

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 4.

 

The political institutions of the Islamic Republic.

Required reading: Wilfried Buchta, Who Rules Iran? The Structure of Power in the Islamic Republic, 2000 (the relevant page will be uploaded on moodle).

 

Khomeini's death in 1989. His successor Ali Khamenei. Presidents Rafsanjani,

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 5.

 

President Khatami

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 6.

 

Presidents Ahmadinejad, Rohani, Raisi

Required reading: Axworthy, ch. 7.

 

Basij and Pasdaran. The building of consensus in the Islamic Republic.

Screening of the documentary films Bassidji by Mehran Tamadon and Letters to the President by Petr Lom.

 

Religious minorities in Iran. The Jews.

Screening of the documentary film Jews of Iran by Ramin Farahani.

Required readings: Houman Sarshar (ed.), Ester's Children. A Portrait of Iranian Jews, 2005, pp. 104-105.

 

Gender issues and women’s rights.

Required reading: Farian Sabahi, We, Women of Tehran, 2021.

(you can download the ebook here: https://prinp.com/?sez=negozio&sub=1&lid=1767).