IRANIRANMallory SaurerMallory Saurer

SAPAR Social StudiesSAPAR Social Studies

Where is Iran?Where is Iran?

Iran’s GeographyIran’s Geography Location:Location:

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Area - comparative:Area - comparative: slightly larger than Alaska slightly larger than Alaska

Climate:Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast coast

Terrain:Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts both coasts

GovernmentGovernment Theocratic RepublicTheocratic Republic: A system of : A system of

government in which the leader of government in which the leader of the government is thought to have the government is thought to have divine guidance. divine guidance.

ReligionReligion Religion: 98% of Iranians are MuslimReligion: 98% of Iranians are Muslim IslamIslam: : A monotheistic religion that originated A monotheistic religion that originated

with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad having the same roots as Christianity and having the same roots as Christianity and Judaism; its scripture is the Qur’an; its followers Judaism; its scripture is the Qur’an; its followers are Muslim. are Muslim.

Religion Continued…Religion Continued…The majority of Iranians are The majority of Iranians are shiiashiia Muslims. Iran’s Muslims. Iran’s

legal system is based on traditional Islamic law, legal system is based on traditional Islamic law, or or shariasharia, which “guides all aspects of Muslim , which “guides all aspects of Muslim life including daily routines, familial and life including daily routines, familial and religious obligations, and financial dealings.”religious obligations, and financial dealings.”

According to According to shariasharia law, women wear a law, women wear a hijabhijab, or , or head scarf; generally all but their faces and are head scarf; generally all but their faces and are covered. covered.

Some women disagree with having to wear the Some women disagree with having to wear the hijabhijab so they only wear it in public, while other so they only wear it in public, while other women consider it apart of tradition.women consider it apart of tradition.

The Iranian RevolutionThe Iranian Revolution Before the Iranian Revolution:Before the Iranian Revolution:

Shahs ruled the countryShahs ruled the country Shahs wanted to westernize IranShahs wanted to westernize Iran Women had more access to Women had more access to

education and the workforceeducation and the workforce Women had legal rights within Women had legal rights within

marriagemarriage

The Iranian RevolutionThe Iranian Revolution After the Iranian Revolution:After the Iranian Revolution:

Iran become a theocracyIran become a theocracy Shi’a Islamic clerics take powerShi’a Islamic clerics take power Women are seen as symbols of moral corruptionWomen are seen as symbols of moral corruption Conservative Islamic leaders believed women Conservative Islamic leaders believed women

should go back to their “rightful, God-ordained should go back to their “rightful, God-ordained place as wives and mothers protected at home. God place as wives and mothers protected at home. God created women as emotional, compassionate created women as emotional, compassionate creatures, fit to bear and raise children and provide creatures, fit to bear and raise children and provide comfort for men, who, as rational, active people, comfort for men, who, as rational, active people, were fit to work outside of the home.”were fit to work outside of the home.”

Men need to be protected from women’s tempting Men need to be protected from women’s tempting sexualitysexuality

Sexes are segregated Sexes are segregated Although women challenge their position in society Although women challenge their position in society

there are often consequences for going against there are often consequences for going against Islamic law.Islamic law.

Iranian RevolutionIranian Revolution

Today in class you will be reading about the Iranian Revolution. As you read, write down facts about how the Iranian Revolution affected women. You will then write a first-person reflection on how the events of the Iranian Revolution affected your position as a woman in Iranian culture.

Iranian Women TodayIranian Women TodayTomorrow in class you will be Tomorrow in class you will be examining the position of Iranian examining the position of Iranian women in the present. You will be women in the present. You will be assigned to a particular aspect of assigned to a particular aspect of society such as education or society such as education or employment. You will work in employment. You will work in groups of two or three to create a groups of two or three to create a mini-presentation about the current mini-presentation about the current status of women in Iran.status of women in Iran.