Final Paper Spring 09

Instructions: You must write a 3-5 page essay responding to one of the topics below. The essay must be double spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins. You must also have a cover page which will include your name, your student ID number, your blog screename, the number of the essay topic you are responding to, and the title of your essay. Additionally on the cover page you must also indicate which three postings you commented on in the blog (and any additional postings made to excuse absences etc…). Giving the title of the posting is enough. In order to pass this class you must complete three blog postings and this essay.

For the essays I want you to make a strong argument that you will support with evidence. Your argument must be made clear in your intro paragraph. You must also support every claim you make with a reference. (For example, you can’t just say a government is repressive without having something to back you up. Do this and you will fail!) You must cite an article from the reader at least once. You may also feel free to use any outside resource you please, except wikipedia. Citation can be done in a variety of ways, as long as it is consistent. However, you must include a bibliography at the end of your essay.

A hardcopy of your essay is due at the beginning of the final class session, May 7th 2009. E-mail copies will not be accepted! You may turn in the essay earlier if you please.

Topics:
1. Describe the system of concessions during the Qajar period in Iran. How did this impact the 1906 Constitutional Revolution?

2. Discuss how the U.S. government both benefited from, and was eventually repudiated for, the 1953 coup d'état against Mohammad Mossadegh. Be sure to include information regarding Cold War politics and how it legitimated the intervention.

3. Describe some of the events that contributed to the culmination of the Revolution of 1979. What inspired the Revolution? What components of the Shah’s program did people oppose?

4. “It was Iran against the world” is a statement that is constantly used to describe the Iran-Iraq war. To what extent is this true? Describe the support given to both Iran and Iraq during the war. Make sure to also discuss the controversy surrounding the Iran-Contra affair.

5. Describe the powers of the Supreme Leader. How have his actions colored the presidencies of Rafsanjani, Khatami, and Ahmadinejad?

6. Should Iran be allowed to continue its nuclear program? Keep in mind Iran’s domestic needs, its stated intentions, and the possible threats the program poses.

7. With the election of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States, a possible new era of Iran-U.S. relations has begun. What do you think will change, if anything? Is this good or bad?

8. The Iranian people will soon be voting to decide the next President of Iran. It is up to you to convince them to vote for the candidate of YOUR choice. Pick from among the already announced candidates the one that you feel is the best choice for the Iranian people. Provide your reasoning in both the domestic and international context. This is both academic and persuasive. Feel free to get a little creative.

9. Should Iran be an Islamic Republic? Why or why not? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this form of government versus the benefits and drawbacks of other forms of government? You may suggest alternative government styles, but you must also comment on their feasibility in the Iranian context.

10. Topic of your choice. You must have this approved by me before writing your essay. Either speak to me in class or shoot me an e-mail.

Feel free to talk to me about your essays. I am always here to answer your questions. Good luck!

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Hello class. The topic for this week was, of course, President Ahmadinejad. You guys definitely have some strong opinions about him.

You will need to comment on Ahmadinejad's letter to Americans. It is included in the reader.

Basically, as an American, or at least someone who currently resides here, what is your reaction to this letter? What would you like to say to him as a reply?

Also, as the Iranian election approaches, I became curious to see your feelings of him as a candidate. Would you vote for him?


-Amir