This course presents an interdisciplinary overview of politics and security in contemporary Iran. It discusses the geopolitical, geostrategic and geographical importance of Iran for the region. Key domestic security challenges to the state are outlined and studied. Taking a knowledge-based and experiential approach, the course explores six core interconnected divisions most relevant to Iran and the region. These divisions are social (class division), societal (identity-based division), national (people-state division), political (division within the political system), regional (regional rivalry) and international divisions (great power politics and the region). The course provides an intellectual and analytical framework for engagement with the issues facing the region and Iran's linkages to them.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the key issues and debates regarding political and security issues in contemporary Iran;
- illustrate in-depth ability to relate Iran’s political, and ideological discourses within the context of the wider Middle East regional security complex;
- critically develop evidence-based argument and evaluation encompassing the full range of internal and external security aspects of the country in past and present;
- integrate interdisciplinary perspective on Iran and the region with larger theoretical evaluations such as international relations theory and critical security studies; and
- develop advanced knowledge about Iran’s internal, regional and international issues through research and analysis.
Indicative Assessment
- In-class Presentation: Critical Poster Presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Project Work (Two 1000 words Reaction Papers 20% each) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Essay (word limit: 4000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 24 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 2 hours of seminars per week; and
b) 106 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
none
Preliminary Reading
Arshin Adib-Moghaddam: Iran in World Politics. The Question of the Islamic Republic (London: Hurst 2007)
Abbas Amanat: Iran, A Modern History (Part IV). (New Haven & London: Yale University Press 2017)
Mahan Abedin: Iran Resurgent, the Rise and Rise of the Shia State (London: Hurst 2019)
Daniel Brumberg and Farideh Farhi, (eds.) Power and Change in Iran, Politics of Contention and Conciliation (Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press 2016)
Alam Saleh: Ethnic Identity and the State in Iran (New York: Palgrave 2013)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4200 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6932 | 25 Jul 2022 | 01 Aug 2022 | 31 Aug 2022 | 28 Oct 2022 | In Person | View |
