(in Polish) Cywilizacja świata irańskiego 1.2 3600-7-IR1-CSI1.2

FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT: The course is intended to familiarize students with knowledge concerning the fundamental aspects of the language, culture, literature, history, art, religion, and philosophy of the Iranian world. The material is presented from an interdisciplinary perspective, with emphasis on the interrelations between the natural environment, history, socio-cultural transformations, and the major achievements of the civilization of Iran and, more broadly, the Iranian world.
The course is organized into modules spanning six semesters, and students achieve all intended learning outcomes through the completion of the entire set of modules defined for the course. During classes, discussion-based methods are employed to support practical engagement with the material through collective analysis of texts and workshop-style activities; the course combines lectures with presentations, discussions, and independent student work.
As part of extensive independent study conducted outside class and in preparation for examinations, students systematically and independently analyze the provided teaching materials, develop assigned topics, broaden their knowledge through additional sources, and consolidate lecture content related to the selected module. These activities include both the critical reading of texts and the independent organization, interpretation, and integration of acquired knowledge, constituting an important element in achieving the learning outcomes defined for the course.

Term 2026Z:

FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT: The prehistoric period and early pre- and proto-urban settlements in the Iranian Plateau area (among others Teppeh Sialk). Discovery of traces of a developed civilization in the site near the city of Jiroft in the Kerman Province giving rise to the essential change in views regarding the earliest civilizations of the Middle East. Rise of early great settled literate civilizations, especially the civilization of Elam in the southwest part of Iran. Ethnic and cultural developments due to arrival of the Indo-European-speaking people (the Aryans). Early historical accounts on Medes and Persians and consequently the rise of first long-lasting Iranian states. The Median State and Achaemenid Kingdom being the first multiethnic and multicultural transregional empires. Political, social, and economic history of the Persian Empire from Cyrus the Great to Darius III Codomannus. The issue of origins of Cyrus and his ancestors. Darius' rise to power and the collateral branch of the Achaemenid dynasty. Controversy over Darius’ lineage. Alexander the Great’s invasion and the fall of the Persian Empire. Post-Macedonian period and the Seleucid Kingdom in Iran, the hellenization of Iranian elites and their culture.
The development and evolution of the Parthian state of Arcacids, their rising domination and reclaiming the Iranian Plateau and Mesopotamia from Seleucids. Conflict with Rome and permanent contest between the Roman Republic and later on the Roman Empire and Iran. Significance of the Arsacid period in Iran’s history, final decline of the Achaemenian tradition and replacing it with a new historical and cultural identity.
Origins of house of Sasan and decline of the Arsacids. Ardashir Pabagan, the founder of the Sasanian dynasty. Political, social, and economic history of the Sasanian Empire from the beginning to Peroz. Wars with Rome and dispute on Armenia. Unrest on the Eastern border and raids of Turkic peoples from Central Asia on Iran. Mazdakite movement and the restoration of royal power. Kavad and Anoushirvan’s reforms and internal situation of the Empire. Khosro Parvez, wars with the Byzantine Empire, Iran’s territorial acquisitions in Asia Minor, occupation of Palestine and Egypt and its aftermath. Exhausting conflicts and internal disorder, social and economic troubles, financial standing of the Sassanian Kingdom in 7th century A.D. The greatest achievements of the Iranian civilization under the Sasanians.
Arabs before Islam, Ghassanids and Lakhmids. Religious and political mission of the Prophet Mohammad and unification of tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. Early raids against Iran and Byzantium. Next incursions in Iran and the fall of the last Sasanian king. Arab conquests in Central Asia and spreading Islam in Iran. End of sovereignty: Iran as a part of the Islamic Empire.
The Umayyads and organization of the new empire partly on the Iranian model. Rise to power of the Abbasids and growing position of non-Arab element within the Caliphate. Role of the Shiite Islam. Iran under several independent states (emirates) officially recognizing Caliphate’s preponderance. Political emancipation of Iranian elites. Struggle for keeping ethnic and cultural identity and integrity as well as gaining Persia's own place within the political and cultural realm of Islam. This period is marked by rivalry between emirates of the Eastern Caliphate.
A discussion of the history of the ancient Iranians from an emic perspective, by making students aware of the existence of an indigenous historical tradition which, by researchers of the modern era—both Iranian and non-Iranian—is treated as a mythologized narrative that eludes the conventional methodology of the historian. This tradition, however, remains alive and constitutes an important component of the identity of Persian speakers both in Iran and beyond, while also serving as a fundamental set of paradigms encoding the cultural texts of this region.

Course coordinators

Mirosław Michalak

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

PRECONDITIONS: Knowledge and skills corresponding to the regular course of General History, Geography, Literature, and Foreign Languages taught in high school.

Learning outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
KNOWLEDGE. Upon completion of the course provided for in the curriculum, the student knows and understands:
at an advanced level, the most important phenomena, movements, and literary texts of the Iranian world (K_W03);
at an advanced level, the influence and role of historical processes, religion, and philosophical systems of the Iranian world in shaping contemporary conditions (K_W04);
the philosophy and religion of the Iranian world (K_W05);
the art and aesthetics of the Iranian world (K_W06);
the influence of the natural environment, economic conditions, international relations, and the ethnic, demographic, and political situation on the social and cultural issues of the Iranian world in both historical and contemporary perspectives (K_W07);
the principles of translation from Persian into Polish (K_W09);
at an advanced level, methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural products characteristic of the indigenous traditions of the Iranian world (K_W10).

SKILLS. Upon completion of the course provided for in the curriculum, the student is able to:
correctly situate the Iranian world region within the context of natural, geopolitical, and economic conditions (K_U03);
read and interpret literary texts and other works of cultural production (film, press, and socially oriented writings) of the Iranian world, properly placing them within their cultural context, as well as analyze, compare, and identify relationships between them and issues of tradition and modernity (K_U04);
analyze the major phenomena and movements in the art of the Iranian world (K_U05);
present issues related to the cultural problems of the Iranian world in both Polish and Persian, taking into account the intellectual traditions of the Iranian world (K_U13).
COMPETENCES. Upon completion of the course provided for in the curriculum, the student is prepared to:
explore cultural diversity, its sources, and its significance for the contemporary world (K_K02);
reflect on the place and significance of the culture of the Iranian world within global culture (K_K03);
recognize the socio-cultural values of the Iranian world, which may serve as a source for personal development and effective intercultural communication (K_K05).

Assessment criteria

ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Oral pass / written pass / oral examination / written examination.

Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY: A selection of bibliography suggested by the lecturer.

Term 2026Z:

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
The Cambridge History of Iran, t. I-III, Cambridge 1968-1985
A. Krasnowolska (red.), Historia Iranu, Ossolineum 2010, cz. I-II
B. Składanek, Historia Persji, t. 1, Warszawa 2008
A selection of bibliography suggested by the lecturer.