NES 3658 - History of Iran

(GB) (HA-AS)

Spring. 4 credits.

I. Gocheleishvili.

The course examines the most significant and defining stages in Iran’s historic development concentrating on the events and individuals that shaped its past and present. Drawing from various sources we will view the events from a variety of perspectives and, among other questions, will address some of the key issues of the U.S.-Iranian relations such as the Iranian nuclear program, the American advisors in Tehran and the U.S.-Russian confrontation in Iran, overthrow of Iran’s Prime Minister Mosaddegh and the roots of the 30-year-old conflict between the U.S. and Iran, the 1979 Islamic revolution and the images of the U.S. and West in Iran. The course also explores major cultural and religious traits in Iran’s history and provides the background and context necessary to understand the current developments in Iran and the peculiarities of Iran’s relations with the countries of the Middle East and the U.S. The course surveys Iran’s history from the 2nd millennium BCE to present. (RS)