Session

Winter 2026

 Term

W

Format

SEMR

Calendar Description / Prerequisite / Co-Requisite

This course explores contemporary Iran, and addresses questions regarding the relationship between the state and civil society, causes of regime change and the rise of Islamic theocracy. It has three interrelated goals: 1) develop familiarity with the basic aspects of modern Iranian history, 2) offer analytical tools for an in-depth understanding of the contemporary politics in Iran, and 3) generate theoretical insights into the question of how modern politics have been perceived and practiced in Iran from the late nineteenth century to the present. Themes include Iran's encounter with modernity, Iranian intellectual trends, the causes and consequences of the 1979 revolution, and the nature of the post-revolutionary political system. The course covers the major turning points of the past thirty-five years in Iran, notably the role of women, intellectuals and students and the rise of reformism in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Course credit exclusions: None. Open to: all 4th year and graduate students.

Course Start Up

Course Websites hosted on York's "eClass" are accessible to students during the first week of the term. It takes two business days from the time of your enrolment to access your course website. Course materials begin to be released on the course website during the first week. To log in to your eClass course visit the York U eClass Portal and login with your Student Passport York Account. If you are creating and participating in Zoom meetings you may also go directly to the York U Zoom Portal.

For further course Start Up details, review the Getting Started webpage.

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