To undertake this module, learners must be employed within the British Armed Forces and would normally hold an undergraduate award or equivalent. Learners should also have attended the relevant 3 day attendance training event as part of the University's Tri-Services Short Course Programme.

An ESSAY of 2,000 WORDS weighted at 40% [Learning Outcomes 1 & 4]
A PORTFOLIO of 3500 WORDS weighted at 60% [Learning Outcomes 1-4]

The essay and portfolio will provide the opportunity to demonstrate all four learning outcomes through a focused question that in each case will require knowledge of the practical implications of the subject matter at hand. The essay will require you to demonstrate the reading of relevant texts and the use of other appropriate materials to develop an analysis of the relevant issue. The essay will also require you to write clearly and analytically about the issues raised in the essay question relevant to your working practice.

The course will begin by examining the history of Iran, focussing on the 19th and 20th centuries. There will be a particular emphasis on exploring the political history of recent years, including the significance of the Qajar dynasty, the Russo-Persian Wars, the Constitutional Revolution, the 1953 CIA coup - Operation Ajax or 28 Mordad, the rise of Mohammad Reza Shah, the Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, the post-Khomeini leadership, the government of Mahmoud Amadinejad, the Green Movement, and the election of the new president, Hassan Rouhani in the spring of 2013. International responses to these events will be considered. The course will investigate the culture of Iran, the influence of Shia Islam and the role of women in Iranian society. We will look at the Iranian economy, and analyse the role of oil and the current impact of sanctions. We will also explore Iran's international relations, both regionally and with key global players like the US. The course will attempt to provide an understanding of the ideas and forces that have shaped contemporary Iran, and the role that Iran plays in the international community

The module will be delivered by a series of workshops spread over an intensive 3 day programme (this will contribute to 21 hours of contact time). The intention is to deliver information and explain the context of the material under examination in lecture format with discussion points built in to the lecture material. Following the face-to-face workshops, learners will undertake additional work, via e-learning, over a 6 week period. This will contribute to a further 50 hours of study. This will consist of interactive tasks via Blackboard and tutorial support. 229 hours are to be used in self-directed study assisted by a detailed module handbook and Blackboard material. Self-directed study will include preparation for assessment work.

Ansari, Ali,(2007) Modern Iran: The Pahlavis and After, Longman, 2nd Ed.
Axworthy, Michael, (2010) A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind, Basic Books.
Bellaigue De, Christoher, (2007) The Struggle for Iran, New York Review Books.
Bergman, Ronen (2011) The secret war with Iran: The 30-year Clandestine Struggle Against the World's Most Dangerous Terrorist Power, Free Press.
Buchan, James, (forthcoming 2013), Days of God: The Revolution in Iran and Its Consequences, Simon & Schuster.
Chubin, Shahram and Tripp, Charles (1988) Iran and Iraq at War, I.B. Tauris.
Hiro, Dilip, (reprint 2012), The Longest War: The Iran-Iraq Military Conflict, Routledge.
Katouzian, Homa & Shahidi, Hossein (eds) (2007) Iran in the 21st Century: Politics, Economics and Conflict, Routledge..
Keddie, Nikki, (2006) Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution, Yale University Press.
Molavi, Afshin, (2005) The Soul of Iran: A Nation's Struggle for Freedom, W.W.Norton.

University Library e-brary resources
Blackboard
Internet Access