Fall 2005

MES 381 • Modern Iranian History and Historiography

Course Description

This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the historical developments in Modern Iran. Students will learn how Iranian society, culture, and politics have evolved throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This course will also introduce students to many of the key debates in the field of Modern Iranian history. Students will read, analyze, and discuss selected titles from a list of the most influential scholarly books on Modern Iranian History. Readings in primary historical documents will also be required. Whenever possible, these will be in the original Persian language. However, for students who do not have sufficient Persian language skills, translations will be used. One of the goals of the course is to give students the necessary research and writing skills, along with the requisite knowledge of the field, to conduct meaningful research in the area of Modern Iranian History.

Grading Policy

Class participation 30% Short paper (due week ten) 20% Research paper (due at end of semester) 50%

Texts

A course packet containing selected articles and texts will be assigned.

back