Module ARAM055 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
ARAM055: Iranian History, 1500 - the Present
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module aims to make students familiar with the history of Iran from 1500 and the establishment of the Safavid dynasty, to the present, under the Islamic republic. In doing so the aim is to give the students an understanding of the nature of Iranian society and politics, each of which have unique features; and of the way in which the current state of Iran has come about, which often seems incomprehensible to the uninitiated. In doing so it aims to achieve some of the other benefits of historical study generally – a broadening of perspective that enhances understanding of the complexities of interaction and change in human society, the ability to see below the surface of presentation to the underlying realities of motivation and structure, and the supply of examples by analogy that students can use and apply in their own life experience (for example, the ability to recognise humbug, redundancy and dishonesty in bureaucratic practice).
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate skills of historical analysis, both with reference to the history of Iran 1500-the present, but also through studying the historiography of the period, through a series of case studies. 2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the methodological tools applied to the study of Iranian history, the importance of Shiite Islam within that history and the significance of the Iranian revolution in the Middle East region generally |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Discuss empirically based research in the light of wider theoretical frameworks and to critically evaluate historical processes from a culturally specific perspective 4. Understand historical change through a multi-disciplinary approach |
Personal and Key Skills | 5. Study independently and in group work, including participation in oral discussion 6. Organise data effectively to produce a coherent argument to a deadline, both orally and in writing |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Individual seminar presentation | 20 minutes | 1-6 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Oral and written |
Essay 2 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Oral and written |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | Oral and written |
Essay 2 | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | Oral and written |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Basic reading:
R. Savory, Iran under the Safavids (Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1980)
E. Abrahamian, Iran between Two Revolutions (Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, 1982)
A. Andrww Newman, Safavid Iran: Rebirth of an Empire (London: I.B. Tauris, 2006)
Abrahamian, Khomeinism : Essays on the Islamic Republic (London : I. B. Tauris, 1993)