IREb2032 Iran Unveiled: Dynamics of the Powerplay

Fakulta sociálních studií
jaro 2025
Rozsah
2/0/0. 4 kr. Ukončení: zk.
Vyučováno kontaktně
Vyučující
Mgr. Lenka Martínková (přednášející)
Garance
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Katedra mezinárodních vztahů a evropských studií – Fakulta sociálních studií
Kontaktní osoba: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra mezinárodních vztahů a evropských studií – Fakulta sociálních studií
Předpoklady
1) Students are expected to read the required readings for each lecture. Compulsory readings for the course are to be found in the Study Materials folder of the Information System. 2) Presented PowerPoint presentations will be provided in the Study Materials folder of the Information System after each lecture. 3) The teacher has the right to adjust the course schedule during the semester.
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je určen pouze studentům mateřských oborů.

Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 35 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 0/35, pouze zareg.: 0/35
Mateřské obory/plány
předmět má 18 mateřských oborů, zobrazit
Cíle předmětu
This course will introduce the historical, cultural, and political context of the contemporary Iranian political, social, and economic situation as a part of the most dynamic region of the world. During the course, we will focus on the milestones in modern Iranian history, current global topics, and the specific topics for the region (regional security, sanction economy, activism, human rights, Afghan and Pakistani migration, climate change impacts, political and religious conservatism, censorship, repression, proliferation of the weapons, proxy wars, alliances with the NSAs, etc.). We will put events and relations of the main political actors in Iran into perspective. The course will try to explain the complicated ties and impacts of political and religious decisions. We will talk not only about major events in the region, but also about the current challenges presented by the environmental changes, energy transitions, liberal and pro-democratic movements, human rights activism, the proliferation of weapons, and economic issues. The aim of the course is to introduce Iran as one of the most important actors in the region; however, the course will contain current, crises, and influence on others in the region. Their foreign politics strongly impact global events.
Výstupy z učení
Students will be able to understand current Iranian politics and their role in the international environment; understand the complexity of Iranian foreign relations and explain the dynamics and impact of individual events; students will also be able to make well-supported arguments on the role of Iran in contemporary conflicts, crisis, and challenges in the region; and will be able to interpret individual events, political proclamations and crisis within context.
Osnova
  • I. Introduction to the course; late Persian Empire and Conditions Leading to the emergence of the Islamic Iranian Republic, actors, and Founding principles II. Overview of modern Iranian political history, main actors, parties, elections, constitutions, and historical milestones III. Islamic revolution and the role of religion in the society IV. Iranian nationalism, identity, role of the military in politics and society (IRGCs, Artesh) V. The Question of Minorities. Migration and Diaspora; Transformations in politics and society since 2009 to the present day VI. Reading week, mid-term test I. VII. History of Iranian foreign policy, pivots, and main foreign policy objectives in a changing world VIII. Russia, China, EU, USA - the evolution of the relations IX. The Iran-Iraq war, proxy wars, and contemporary influence X. Contemporary Iranian alliances and enemies (NSAs) XI. Sanctions, Economy and Energy policy, Proliferation XII. Iran after 2022 – Mass protests, Women, Life, Freedom movement, Israel-Iran conflict, … XIII. Presentations of the group essays and discussion, Midterm-test II.
Literatura
    povinná literatura
  • HOUSHISADAT, Seyed Mohammad. 2021. Iran's regional relations: a history from antiquity to the Islamic republic. Durham modern Middle East and Islamic world series. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Ch. 4 Post-Revolutionary Iran’s Relations in th
  • AXWORTHY, Michael, 2010. A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind. 2. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-465-00888-9. p.11-13, chapter 9 p. 283 -301 AXWORTHY, Michael, 2019. Revolutionary Iran: A history of the Islamic Republic. 2. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-141-99033-
  • AXWORTHY, Michael, 2019. Revolutionary Iran: A history of the Islamic Republic. 2. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-141-99033-0. Chapter 7 p. 370-440 and Epilogue
  • SHARMA, Anu. 2022. Through the looking glass: Iran and its foreign relations. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Ch.1 Iran’s Foreign Policy: History, Geo-politics and Diplomacy as Determiners 1 – 36; Ch. 2. Iran and the United States of America 3
  • LAM, Kristy C., 2020. Collateral Damage: The Humanitarian Consequences of U.S. Sanctions on Iran. Potomac: New Degree Press. ISBN 978-1636765952. Chapter 3 p. 63 - 80, chapter 6 p. 107 - 124, chapter 10 p. 171-178 Conclusions
  • CRONIN, Stephanie. Social histories of Iran: modernism and marginality in the Middle East. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. ISBN 978-1-107-19084-9. Chapter 6 p. 235 - 276
  • MASON, Robert, and Simon Mabon, eds. 2022. The Gulf states and the Horn of Africa: interests, influences and instability. Identities and geopolitics in the Middle East. Manchester: Manchester university press. ISBN 978-1-5261-6216-8. Ch. 2 Pushing the en
    doporučená literatura
  • EBADI, Shirin. 2007. Iran Awakening: A memoir of revolution and hope. Rider.
    neurčeno
  • PARSA, Misagh. Democracy in Iran: why it failed and how it might succeed. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2016. ISBN 978-0-674-54504-5. Chapter 8 p. 247-264, PART IV: IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICTS p. 247 – 290 Ch. 8. Why the Movement Faile
Metody hodnocení
The final grade will be calculated as a sum of four parts. The maximum is 50 points; the minimum to complete the course is 26 points. • The e-tests stand for 5 points each (10 points in total). • Group essay for 10 points, group presentation of the main points from the essay/discussion participation for 4 points, and actualities for bonus points. • Final exam for another 26 points (3 open questions). The grade will be calculated as follows: A B C D E F 50-46 45-41 40-36 35-31 30-26 25> 5 ECTS (250 pages in English, two e-tests, final exam, essay) Mid-term Tests and Final Exam The online mid-term tests have a single term and cannot be repeated. It consists of ten test questions to be answered in 5 minutes; for each test question, there is only one correct answer for a maximum of one point. The highest possible score is 5 points. The test cannot be repeated or taken at another time. For a medical emergency, please contact me, and provide the doctor's confirmation. There will be no exception for missed tests due to any other reason. Please be advised that the e-tests and presentation are the requirements obligatory for access to the final exam. The final exam will take place at the FSS computer room in person and will be based on the lectures and readings. The students will have to prove their knowledge by answering three open questions via main points and discussing these topics; altogether the highest possible score for the final exam is 26 points. The final exam’s duration is 45 minutes. The exams will take place in person, during the exam period. Slots will be open at the beginning of May. There will be 4 available dates. Plan your other exams and schedule accordingly, please. Group paper and presentation Group assignments presentation and discussion: students will be divided into groups and will choose one of the topics related to Iranian politics and issues. The topic should bring your own opinions and position. Show creativity and in-depth thinking about the current issues, opportunities, and challenges for Iranian internal as well as foreign policies. Feel free to share your recommendations, opinions, and predictions based on the information available from the relevant sources. You can analyze the current situation, focus on the influence of individual actors playing a part and evaluate the impact, criticize or agree with the turn of events, and propose solutions or predictions for future development. The presentation will introduce your main points, thoughts, and conclusion to your colleagues and start a discussion to let us all think about the topic.
Náhradní absolvování
The course takes place in person and there is not possibility to attend online or take the exams online.
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
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