Society and Culture of Contemporary Iranian World I 3600-7-IR1-SKWSI1

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the key social, political, and cultural phenomena of the contemporary Iranian world, with a particular focus on the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan. The course provides a multifaceted introduction to the basic geographical and demographic conditions of this region, enabling a better understanding of its geopolitical specificities. The program will discuss in detail the complex ethnic and linguistic structure of both countries, with particular emphasis on the status of national minorities and the dynamics of relations between the center and the periphery. A key component of the course is an analysis of the religious landscape, covering both the dominant branches of Islam and the religious minorities rooted in the region, which helps to grasp the role of religion in shaping collective identities and state institutions.
Later in the course, attention will be directed toward transformations in contemporary social structures, including urbanization processes, internal and external migration, and the changing status of women and the younger generation.
An interdisciplinary approach to the issues discussed—combining sociological, anthropological, and political science perspectives—will equip students with the tools necessary for a critical analysis of current processes and a deeper understanding of the internal dynamics and cultural richness of the contemporary Middle East and Central Asia.