M?NA2505 ¨C Iran in the World: Politics, Society, Praxis

Course content

This course will directly address the complex nature of the politics and society of contemporary Iran to gain an oversight of its dynamic, internal dimensions and how they link with the country¡¯s regional and extra-regional relations. Covering a range of approaches from Politics, Sociology, Comparative Politics, Visual Arts, and Anthropology, among others, "Iran in the World" addresses the evolving positions of modern Iran through weekly thematic discussions on its dynamics pertaining to politics, economy, identity, culture, religion and security. Engaging interdisciplinary scholarship, readings will highlight the tensions between state and civil society and the influence and involvement of regional politics and global networks, starting with the Qajar dynasty in the 19th century to its present status as an Islamic Republic. Iran will be framed as a vibrant country with rich and interrelated historical, political, cultural and religious contexts.

We will examine the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925; the nationalization of oil by nationalist reformer Mossadeq; the development of the heterogeneous opposition movement against the Pahlavi regime; the occurrence of the "Islamic" Revolution of 1979; and finally, its more than four-decade long transformation into a post-revolutionary political system and regional power. Moreover, we will attend to themes highlighting the institutional structure of the state, focusing on the role of Euro-American and regional powers in its formation and economic development. Discussions will also heavily feature the 1979 Revolution¡¯s impact on state, society and political ideas and the ways in which scholars and activists have sought to understand and interpret modern Iranian history.

Learning outcome

By taking this course, you are expected to:

• know and understand the key players (local, regional, and global) and their motivations in the formation of the modern Iranian state

• evaluate the significance of reformist and revolutionary elements in light of social and economic changes in Iran

• be familiarized with domestic debates and theoretical positions internal to the Iranian sociopolitical landscape

• examine, in a wider context, the impact of the 1979 Revolution on social forces in Iran and the rise of political Islam in the Middle East

• address open questions in the relationship between the state and civil society from many historical and theoretical viewpoints

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

• One of the?M?NA-courses at 1000 level?(for instance?M?NA1000 - Introduksjon til Midt?sten og Nord-Afrika: historie, samfunn, religion, politikk?or?M?NA1505 - Midt?stens moderne historie).?

• Courses in History or Political Science might compensate for lack of area?studies.

A good working knowledge of academic English is strongly recommended.

Teaching

Seminar-lectures:?2 hours a week for 11 weeks.?

In some cases, guest lecturers will be invited to offer their unique perspectives on the themes mentioned above.

The teaching is divided into lectures and seminars. There will be group presentations during the seminars and groups are determined first day of class. Class attendance and participation are strongly emphasized.

Compulsory activity:

• Compulsory attendance to at least 8 seminar-lectures

• Three individually written assignments

• One presentation to be held in class

Each assignment will be provided with commentaries after the first submission, in order for the student to improve it. The students will have time to edit all three papers, and the?final version of these will?represent the final portfolio.

Each?class will include student presentations by 2-4 students who act as discussion leaders. Presentations will be assigned during Class 1 and 2. They will commence in Class 3.

More information about the three assignments, the presentation and the deadlines will be given during class and in Canvas. You must submit the assignments within the given deadlines, and you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements for the compulsory activities.

Please note that approved drafts are only valid for one semester. Approved attendance and presentations are valid for five semesters.

Valid absence:

If you have valid absence from the compulsory activities, you must submit an application and hand in documentation.?

This is how you apply for valid absence from compulsory activities/compulsory attendance.

Access to teaching:

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

Portfolio assignment

The portfolio assignment is the final version of the three mandatory individually written assignments.?The total length of the submission should be 9-10 pages, excluding bibliography and appendices.

You must fulfill the requirements of mandatory tuition activities in order to qualify for taking the exam.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.