Course Syllabus

CEUS-R 351 and 551

Monday and Wednesday 1:00-2:15 pm

Ballantine Hall (BH) 206

Jennifer Dubeansky jdubeans@indiana.edu

Central Eurasian Studies, Religious Studies

SGIS 3024 East Wing, Third Floor

Office hours Wednesday 11:00 am-12:00 pm and by appointment

This course traces the history, beliefs, and culture of Iranians from ancient times through the Arab conquest to the 21^st century. It focuses on politics, administrative and social institutions, religions including Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Islam (Sunnism, Shi‘ism, and Sufism), relationship between secular and ecclesiastic hierarchies, status of minorities, devotional and communal change, and Iranian influences on other cultures. Lectures and discussions cover the ancient, medieval and modern periods. Readings include the analysis of primary textual materials in translation. No previous knowledge or course prerequisites are needed.

 Grading

Class attendance (~50%)

20 points/day. Students are asked to send an email for planned absences or sick days. Up to two absences will be excused with no points deducted.

Class participation (~30%)

Map quizzes: 10 points each

Engagement: 10 points/day

Final Exam/Research Paper (~20%)

Undergraduates: Final exam format TBD

Graduates: Research Paper 15-25 pages on a topic of the student’s choice. Topics due at midterm.

Extra Credit

Students may submit a 3-5 sentence summary of assigned readings posted on Canvas. Each submission may receive up to 5 extra credit points each. To be accepted, summaries must be turned in on or before the due date for the reading.

Required Readings

All students (undergraduates and graduates) are required to read:

John Curtis, Ancient Persia, 2^nd ed

Richard N. Frye, The Golden Age of Persia

David Morgan, Medieval Persia 1040-1797

Readings posted on Canvas

Additional readings required for graduate students but optional for undergraduates:

Jamsheed K. Choksy, Evil, Good, and Gender

Moojan Momen, An Introduction to Shi‘i Islam