Synopses & Reviews
One in a series of short books devoted to different countries that offers much-needed cross-cultural and global material to instructors. Used alongside an introductory sociology text, in courses on the Middle East or Iran, or as a supplement in courses on comparative societies, comparative politics, comparative economics, or social stratification, this book brings a rich global perspective into the undergraduate classroom. The opening chapter establishes historical and cultural context, while subsequent chapters focus on the basic institutions, social stratification, social problems and social change. The chapter organization is typical of a standard introductory sociology text, making it easy to use in any class. In Modern Iran, the author examines such important topics as the treatment of women, the problems of civil rights abuse, and the role of Iran as a terrorist state, while also portraying the richness of Iranian history and culture, the major Iranian institutions and how they work, and the nature of Iranian social structure, including stratification.
Synopsis
One in a series of short books devoted to different countries that offers much-needed cross-cultural and global material to instructors. Used alongside an introductory sociology text, in courses on the Middle East or Iran, or as a supplement in courses on comparative societies, comparative politics, comparative economics, or social stratification, this book brings a rich global perspective into the undergraduate classroom. The opening chapter establishes historical and cultural context, while subsequent chapters focus on the basic institutions, social stratification, social problems and social change. The chapter organization is typical of a standard introductory sociology text, making it easy to use in any class. In Modern Iran, the author examines such important topics as the treatment of women, the problems of civil rights abuse, and the role of Iran as a terrorist state, while also portraying the richness of Iranian history and culture, the major Iranian institutions and how they work, and the nature of Iranian social structure, including stratification.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 120-122) and index.
About the Author
Grant Farr is a Professor of Sociology and International Studies at Portland State University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Professor Farr has written extensively on Iran and Afghanistan. He has live in both countries for extended periods and was a Professor of National Development and Sociology at Pahlavi University, in the Iranian city of Shiraz. He originally went to Afghanistan as a Peace Corps volunteer. More recently he has been working in Central Asia where he was the head of a two year project in Kyrgyzstan. He has received numerous grants and honors for his work in these countries and has been a consultant to the United Nations and the US Department of State on Middle East and Islamic affairs.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Iranian Society and Its EnvironmentIntroduction: The StoryThe LocationThe PlacePopulationThe PeopleLanguageReligionsMoslemsChristiansJewsZoroastriansBahaisChapter 2: The Historical ContextIntroduction: The Historical LegacyThe Origins: The Coming of the AryansPre-Islamic Iran: The Creation of an Iranian Society 559 BC to 650 ADThe Coming of Islam: 650 to 150The Return of Iranian Rule: 1501 to 1850The Coming of the West: 1850 to 1900The Constitutional Revolution: 1900 to 1921Reza Shah Pahlavi 1921 to 1941Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi: 1941 to 1979The Islamic Revolution: 1979 and AfterIran NowChapter 3: Family, Marriage, and KinshipIntroduction: Family and Kin in Iranian SocietyThe Traditional Iranian FamilyHouseholds, Compounds, and Extended FamiliesMarriageChapter 4: Religion in Everyday LifeIntroductionIslam in Iran: The line of the ImamsReligious Obligations: The Five Pillars of IslamThe Islamic Hierarchy: Mujtahids, Sayyids, and MullahsReligious Institutions: Mosques, Schools, Shrines and EndowmentMosquesMadrasehs and MaktabsShrinesIslamic EndowmentsIslam in Iranian Life: Two IransChapter 5: The Iranian Political SystemIntroductionPolitics Before 1979Personal PowerThe Lack of Constitutional RestraintProhibition of Political DissentLack of Human RightsThe Islamic Iranian GovernmentControlling the Revolutionary TurmoilHuman Rights under the Islamic RepublicForeign Policy: Exporting the RevolutionChapter 6:The Iranian EconomyIntroductionEconomic OverviewOilThe United States Trade EmbargoAgricultureIncome InequalityThe Economy and IslamConclusionChapter 7: Social Stratification in Modern IranIntroductionSocial Class in Iran: The Urban SettingThe Middle Class: Bureaucrats, Professionals and the BazaarThe BazaarThe New Middle ClassThe Working Class: Class InsurgencyThe Lower ClassRural SocietyNomadic Pastoralist: Tribal SocietyConclusionChapter 8Gender In IranIntroductionTraditional Gender RolesGender SocializationThe Changing Roles of WomenWomen and the Islamic GovernmentWomen in Modern IranConclusionChapter 9: Population and UrbanizationIntroduction: The Population and the CitiesPopulationFertility: Having childrenFamily Planning and IslamMortality: Why do people die?The Age Structure: Too many kids?Migration: Who is arriving and who is leaving?UrbanizationTraditional Iranian CitiesThe New Iranian CityConclusionChapter 10: Social Change in IranIntroductionUrban CrowdingThe Population ExplosionHuman RightsWomenForeign PolicyConclusion