Persepolis

Persepolis Webquest

The Shah of Iran:

Use the following websites to answer these questions in preparation for your presentation:

• http://www.iranchamber.com/history/mohammad_rezashah/mohammad_rezashah.php
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi_of_Iran
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_of_Iran
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3362443.stm

1. When and how did the Shah of Iran (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi) come to power? What was the U.S.’s role in his becoming Shah?
2. What kind of government did the Shah lead?
3. When and how did the Shah lose power? What role did Islamic fundamentalists play? Who took over after he lost power?
4. What relation did his exile have to the Iranian hostage crises (please explain what that was)?

Islam Page

Use the following websites to answer the questions below in preparation for your presentation. Please note the authors of the page and be prepared to judge the accuracy of the information.

• http://www.islam.com/introislam.htm
• http://www.islam.com/AllahAtributes.htm
• http://www.internews.org/visavis/islam_in_iran_mstr.html
• http://www.islam.com/chronology.htm
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/comp_isl_chr.htm
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.htm
• http://www.internews.org/visavis/islam_rev_mstr.html

1. What are some of the major beliefs of the religion of Islam?
2. How do Islamic beliefs compare to those of other major world religions?
3. Who is Islam’s major religious figure? Why? What is the main Muslim text?
4. What was the role of Islamic fundamentalists in the overthrow of the Shah of Iran?

Society in Iran page

Use the following web pages to answer these questions about Iranian society. Remember that one group is PRE-Islamic revolution, and one group is POST-Islamic revolution.

• http://www.cultureofiran.com/ (click on “codes of behavior”)
• http://www.internews.org/visavis/women_mstr.html
• http://www.nationmaster.com/country/ir-iran/edu-education
• http://www.iranchamber.com/education/articles/educational_system.php
• http://www.iranchamber.com/education/articles/history_higher_education1.php

1. What religions are represented in the population of Iran?
2. What is the role of women in society?
3. Describe the education system, including higher education (universities) in Iran for most of the population.
4. What is the family structure in Iran?

Culture in Iran page

Use the following web pages to answer these questions about Iranian society. Remember that one group is PRE-Islamic revolution, and one group is POST-Islamic revolution.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Iran
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Iran
• http://www.iranian.com/music.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Iran
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_art
• http://www.iranian.com/arts.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Iranian_musicians_and_singers
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_cuisine
• http://www.cultureofiran.com/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Iran
• http://www.iranian.com/sports.html

1. Describe and give examples of the major phases in Iranian art. Discuss what kind of art is popular during your time period (pre- or post-revolution).
2. Describe some major Iranian movies, their plots, and directors.
3. Describe major categories of Iranian music. Focus on the most popular kind of your time period (pre- or post-revolution).
4. What kinds of sports are popular in Iran? Who participates, and who observes?
5. Describe Iranian cuisine. What kind of dishes are popular? What are considered delicacies?

The Veil/The Hijab:

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/21/135523680/lifting-the-veil-muslim-women-explain-their-choice

Background on Iranian Revolution http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/Events/Iran79.htm