Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
1POLS 577The Politics and International Relations of Iran3+0+03805.11.2025

 
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program MA Program in Political Science and International Relations (Thesis) (English)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course "The Politics and International Relations of Iran"** aims to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of Iran's domestic politics and its role in international relations. The course explores Iran's historical background, revolution, state structure, and political institutions, examining its political culture and decision-making processes. It also provides an in-depth analysis of Iran's foreign policy strategies at both regional and global levels, focusing on its influence in the Middle East, its nuclear program, and its relations with the West. Students will assess Iran's role in international relations, particularly its interactions with the United States, the European Union, and neighboring countries, analyzing its impact on global security, economics, and diplomacy. The goal of the course is to enable students to critically understand Iran's domestic and foreign policies and develop the ability to evaluate the factors that shape these policies.
Course Content POLS 577 **"The Politics and International Relations of Iran"** aims to provide a comprehensive examination of Iran's domestic politics and its role in international relations. The course focuses on Iran's historical development, the 1979 Islamic Revolution and its political consequences, as well as the structure and political culture of the Islamic Republic. Students will also analyze Iran's foreign policies, particularly its strategic interests in the Middle East, its nuclear program, relations with the West, and the impact of international sanctions. The course further explores Iran's regional influence, its relationships with neighboring countries, and the broader implications of these relations on global security, economics, and diplomacy. The goal of the course is to equip students with a critical understanding of Iran's domestic and foreign policies, and the ideological, cultural, and strategic factors shaping these policies.
Course Methods and Techniques
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator Associate Prof.Dr. Ali ASLAN
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. ALİ ASLAN
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Iranian Identity and Cosmopolitanism: Spheres of Belonging – Ali Mirsepassi İran’ın kimlik yapıları, kültürel dinamikleri ve uluslararası ilişkilerindeki rolü üzerine derinlemesine bir analiz sunar. Cambridge University Press


Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 30
Attendance 1 % 20
Final examination 1 % 50
Total
3
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 14 9 126
Mid-terms 1 30 30
Final examination 1 30 30
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 8 228

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 İran’ın İç Siyasi Yapısını Anlamak: Öğrenciler, İran İslam Cumhuriyeti'nin siyasi yapısını, kurumlarını ve devletin işleyişini açıklayabileceklerdir.
2 İran'ın Dış Politikasını Analiz Etmek: Öğrenciler, İran’ın dış politika stratejilerini, özellikle Orta Doğu'daki stratejik çıkarlarını, nükleer programını ve Batı ile ilişkilerini değerlendirebileceklerdir.
3 İran’daki Siyasi Kültürü ve Toplumsal Dinamikleri İncelemek: Öğrenciler, İran'daki siyasi kültür, toplumsal hareketler, halkın siyasetteki rolü ve iç politikadaki gerilimleri analiz edebileceklerdir.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction to Iran’s Politics and International Relations
2 The Rise of the Islamic Republic of Iran
3 The Structure of the Iranian State
4 Political Culture and Society in Iran
5 Iran’s Domestic Politics: Elections, Power, and Authority
6 Iran and the Middle East: Regional Politics
7 Iran's Nuclear Program and International Relations
8 Iran and the West: Sanctions and Diplomacy
9 Iran and the United States: A Complex Relationship
10 Iran’s Foreign Policy in the Global Context
11 Iran’s Security and Military Policy
12 Domestic Challenges and Reform Movements
13 Iran’s Future in a Changing World
14 Review and Final

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5
All 4 4 4
C1 5 4 4
C2 4 4 4
C3 5 5 5

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

  
  https://obs.ihu.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=247617&lang=en