An introduction to modern Iranian history, tracing the rise and rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, the revolution, and the Islamic Republic, while exploring recurring themes of power, reform, resistance, and social change.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This one-day introductory course explores the major political, social, and cultural transformations of Iran from the early 20th century to the present. We examine Iran’s struggle to reconcile constitutionalism, monarchy, nationalism, religion, and popular sovereignty. We will trace the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty, the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, the Shah’s authoritarian modernisation project, and the revolutionary upheavals that culminated in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
We then turn to the Islamic Republic, with an overview of the Iran–Iraq War, the consolidation of clerical power, and the tension between revolutionary promises and lived realities. Throughout, we will identify common themes across Iran’s modern history: inequality, foreign intervention, state violence, reform movements, popular resistance, and the recurring gap between political promises and outcomes. The aim is not only to provide historical knowledge, but also to help students make sense of contemporary Iran through a longer historical context.
What will we cover?
• The Rise of the Pahlavi Dynasty • Oil, Foreign Intervention, and the 1953 Coup • Mohammad Reza Shah and the White Revolution • The 1979 Revolution: competing visions (Islamist, leftist, liberal), promises of justice, and the collapse of the monarchy • The Islamic Republic and the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88): war, martyrdom, and social mobilization • Post-revolutionary Iran: reform movements, repression, human rights, and ongoing struggles over freedom and authority
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Outline key events and turning points in Iran’s 20th-century history
Understand the causes and consequences of the 1979 Islamic Revolution
Identify recurring themes such as inequality, reform, repression, and foreign intervention across different periods
Evaluate the gap between political promises and social realities in modern Iranian history
Better contextualize contemporary Iranian politics and society through historical perspective
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Everyone is welcome, although a good standard of English is required. As with all of our history and politics classes, an open mind and ability to engage constructively and respectfully in class activities is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
Dr Jean-Baptiste de Vaulx has taught at Royal Holloway, University of London, and currently is an associate lecturer at University College London. His fields of teaching and research focus on world cinema, international film history, film festivals and cinephile film cultures. He has published articles and book chapters on varied topics including child characters in Iranian cinema, the theme of home in the films of Lucrecia Martel, the Japanese new wave director Hiroshi Teshigahara, and the history of world cinema programming on Channel Four.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/iran-in-the-20th-century3026299Iran in the 20th Centuryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa228511771178135601228511771178<p>An introduction to modern Iranian history, tracing the rise and rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, the revolution, and the Islamic Republic, while exploring recurring themes of power, reform, resistance, and social change.</p>003026290Iran in the 20th Century6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-05-23T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH2606969Iran in the 20th Century554569Jean-Baptiste de Vaulxiran-in-the-20th-century/hwh260-2526<p>An introduction to modern Iranian history, tracing the rise and rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, the revolution, and the Islamic Republic, while exploring recurring themes of power, reform, resistance, and social change.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-23 00:00:00<p>This one-day introductory course explores the major political, social, and cultural transformations of Iran from the early 20th century to the present. We examine Iran’s struggle to reconcile constitutionalism, monarchy, nationalism, religion, and popular sovereignty. We will trace the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty, the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, the Shah’s authoritarian modernisation project, and the revolutionary upheavals that culminated in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.</p><p>We then turn to the Islamic Republic, with an overview of the Iran–Iraq War, the consolidation of clerical power, and the tension between revolutionary promises and lived realities. Throughout, we will identify common themes across Iran’s modern history: inequality, foreign intervention, state violence, reform movements, popular resistance, and the recurring gap between political promises and outcomes. The aim is not only to provide historical knowledge, but also to help students make sense of contemporary Iran through a longer historical context.</p><p>An introduction to modern Iranian history, tracing the rise and rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, the revolution, and the Islamic Republic, while exploring recurring themes of power, reform, resistance, and social change.</p><p>• The Rise of the Pahlavi Dynasty<br>• Oil, Foreign Intervention, and the 1953 Coup<br>• Mohammad Reza Shah and the White Revolution<br>• The 1979 Revolution: competing visions (Islamist, leftist, liberal), promises of justice, and the collapse of the monarchy<br>• The Islamic Republic and the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88): war, martyrdom, and social mobilization<br>• Post-revolutionary Iran: reform movements, repression, human rights, and ongoing struggles over freedom and authority</p><ul><li>Outline key events and turning points in Iran’s 20th-century history</li><li>Understand the causes and consequences of the 1979 Islamic Revolution</li><li>Identify recurring themes such as inequality, reform, repression, and foreign intervention across different periods</li><li>Evaluate the gap between political promises and social realities in modern Iranian history</li><li>Better contextualize contemporary Iranian politics and society through historical perspective</li></ul><p>Everyone is welcome, although a good standard of English is required. As with all of our history and politics classes, an open mind and ability to engage constructively and respectfully in class activities is essential.</p><p>PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.</p><p>No other costs. Bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africavirtual556945HWH260NONESat23/05/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetJean-Baptiste de VaulxAvailable courses2026-05-23T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Iran in the 20th Centuryiran-in-the-20th-century/hwh260-2526<p>An introduction to modern Iranian history, tracing the rise and rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, the revolution, and the Islamic Republic, while exploring recurring themes of power, reform, resistance, and social change.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-23 00:00:00<p>This one-day introductory course explores the major political, social, and cultural transformations of Iran from the early 20th century to the present. We examine Iran’s struggle to reconcile constitutionalism, monarchy, nationalism, religion, and popular sovereignty. We will trace the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty, the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, the Shah’s authoritarian modernisation project, and the revolutionary upheavals that culminated in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.</p><p>We then turn to the Islamic Republic, with an overview of the Iran–Iraq War, the consolidation of clerical power, and the tension between revolutionary promises and lived realities. Throughout, we will identify common themes across Iran’s modern history: inequality, foreign intervention, state violence, reform movements, popular resistance, and the recurring gap between political promises and outcomes. The aim is not only to provide historical knowledge, but also to help students make sense of contemporary Iran through a longer historical context.</p><p>An introduction to modern Iranian history, tracing the rise and rule of the Pahlavi dynasty, the revolution, and the Islamic Republic, while exploring recurring themes of power, reform, resistance, and social change.</p><p>• The Rise of the Pahlavi Dynasty<br>• Oil, Foreign Intervention, and the 1953 Coup<br>• Mohammad Reza Shah and the White Revolution<br>• The 1979 Revolution: competing visions (Islamist, leftist, liberal), promises of justice, and the collapse of the monarchy<br>• The Islamic Republic and the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88): war, martyrdom, and social mobilization<br>• Post-revolutionary Iran: reform movements, repression, human rights, and ongoing struggles over freedom and authority</p><ul><li>Outline key events and turning points in Iran’s 20th-century history</li><li>Understand the causes and consequences of the 1979 Islamic Revolution</li><li>Identify recurring themes such as inequality, reform, repression, and foreign intervention across different periods</li><li>Evaluate the gap between political promises and social realities in modern Iranian history</li><li>Better contextualize contemporary Iranian politics and society through historical perspective</li></ul><p>Everyone is welcome, although a good standard of English is required. As with all of our history and politics classes, an open mind and ability to engage constructively and respectfully in class activities is essential.</p><p>PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.</p><p>No other costs. Bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africaconfigurable
135601178The Middle East & North Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa1/2/285/1177/1178/135601/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa
