Welcome to the class / Syllabus

Hello all. I hope you all enjoyed the first day of class. The site is still under construction for now, but on the right are randomly generating youtube videos, a news feed on Iranian stories in the news, and some links. We will be adding more features as we go along.

We heard that the decal website was down the first day of class. If this prevented people from knowing where the class was located we will allow them to sign up on telebears. Just remember to show up this Monday at 155 Kroeber at 6 or you will be dropped.

If you have 59 units or less of coursework completed sign up for PS98 with ccn 71483. If you have 60 units or more, sign up for PS198 with ccn 72632. Everyone should sign up for 2 units. Also if you are signing up be sure to pick up a reader at copy central.

We will announce the winner of the survey soon. Below is the syllabus for the course. Here's to a good semester. -Amir

IRAN: 28 YEARS OF REVOLUTION

Course Description

This course serves as an introduction to modern Iranian politics in which no prior knowledge of Iran or the greater Middle East is required. It follows the events leading up to the Islamic Revolution and describes the outcomes that have spiraled into the headlines of today. Key topics of discussion include the coup d'etat against Prime Minister Mossadegh (1953), the rule of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Iranian Revolution (1979), the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Reform Movement (1997), and the recent rise of the radical movement led by Ahmadinejad (2005). Important current events to be covered will be Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s role in Iraq, and the Shia-Sunni divide in the Middle East. Documentaries, films, guest lectures, participation in the class blog, and class discussions are integral parts of this decal. Class will meet once a week for two hours.

Course Coordinators

Amir Abadi - amirabadi@berkeley.edu
Keyan Keihani- keihani@berkeley.edu

Course Requirements
Readings
A reader comprised of short summaries and academic articles will offer the students a background to all the topics mentioned above. Specific sources for the reader are listed in the reading list. Additional readings may be handed out in class.

Final Paper
The final paper is a 3–5 page essay. Topics will be handed out two weeks prior to the final class meeting.

Blog Participation
You must submit 3, one paragraph responses on the blog during the course of the semester. You can only respond to the topics offered that week (responses to topics that are more than a week old are encouraged but will not count for a grade). Your responses must be critical and engaging. No more than one response per week will count for a grade.

Grading
Final Paper (50%), Blog Participation (25%), Attendance (25%)
NOTE: YOU MUST RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY GRADE IN ALL THREE COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE. YOU CANNOT MISS MORE THAN ONE CLASS MEETING WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTORS’ PRIOR APPROVAL.

Schedule
Week 1: Introduction; overview of the course
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 1, 7-15

Week 2: The coup against Dr. Mossadegh; documentary screening, The CIA and the Coup of 1953 in Iran
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 19-21
Roosevelt, Kermit. Countercoup. Forward, Ch.13.
Blum, William. Killing Hope. pp. 64-72.

Week 3: The reemergence of the Shah and the events leading up to the Iranian Revolution; documentary screening, Evolution of Revolution: Live from Tehran (ABC)
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 20-29
Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza. Answer to History. pp. 101-129

Week 4: The Iranian Revolution; documentary screening, Iran: A Revolution Betrayed
۞ Reading: Abrahamian, Ervand. Khomeinism. Ch. 1.

Week 5: The Iran-Iraq War: the longest conventional war of the century
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 30-32 & 62-63

Week 6: Contemporary Iranian government structure: a quasi-democratic theocracy
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 46-49

Week 7: Rise of the reformists
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 36-37
Khatami, Mohammad. Islam, Liberty, and Development. pp. 3-16. & 135-153 Amuzegar, Jahangir. "Khatami's Legacy: Dashed Hopes." Middle East Journal, Winter 2006

Week 8: Ahmadinejad and the rise of ultra-conservatives
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 37-38 & Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush (link on blog)

Week 9: Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 50-56
Timmerman, Kenneth. Countdown to Crisis. Ch.26
Ritter, Scott. Target Iran. Conclusion.

Week 10: Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East
۞ Reading: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 66-81

Week 11: Guest Lecture, topic of the lecture to be announced two weeks prior.
۞ Final paper topics handed out

Week 12: Student chosen topic

Week 13: Final class meeting
۞ Final papers due