58吃瓜

IR4595 Iran in World Politics

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr E Sadeghi

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Eskandar Sadeghi

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module explores the politics, political economy, and foreign relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the 1979 Revolution. It traces how a revolutionary state and hybrid regime emerged, combining Islamist and republican institutions to forge a distinctive model of authoritarian governance. The module analyses internal political dynamics and the interplay between ideology, institutions, elite competition, and popular mobilisation. It examines the evolution of Iran鈥檚 political economy 鈥� from post-war reconstruction and neoliberal reform to the challenges of sanctions and the 鈥渞esistance economy.鈥� The module also investigates Iran鈥檚 regional and global engagements: its confrontation with the United States and Israel, role in the Persian Gulf and 鈥淎xis of Resistance,鈥� and relations with emerging non-Western powers. The module situates Iran within broader debates on revolution, sovereignty, and the enduring structures of imperial power in the modern world.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 50% Exam = 50%

Re-assessment

Exam = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hr seminar (x11 weeks)

Intended learning outcomes

  • demonstrate a critical understanding of the politics, political economy, and foreign relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1979 to the present.
  • analyse the structure and evolution of Iran鈥檚 post-revolutionary political system, including its ideological foundations, institutional dynamics, and competing centres of power.
  • evaluate the interaction between domestic political economy and foreign policy, including the impact of war, sanctions, and economic reform.
  • interpret Iran鈥檚 regional and global strategies through competing theoretical lenses in International Relations, including realist, constructivist, and postcolonial approaches.
  • develop and sustain a coherent scholarly argument that integrates empirical evidence with conceptual analysis.
  • synthesize and apply knowledge with comparative insight, analytical clarity, and the ability to connect Iran鈥檚 experience to broader debates about revolution, sovereignty, and global order.