Assignment:For your research paper which is 6 double spaced pages, you need to come up with a topic that is related to the course, study and research the topic, and write a coherent paper with adequate citations and references. 6 pages (double spaced)5 sourcesInclude a separate outline (will not count towards page count)Should address a topic of your choice which deals with a specific aspect of Bahai culture and history in IranTopic of your research paper is decided by you This is a research paper and therefore you need to go beyond the course readings and lectures It is always better to have a specific topicSources should be adequately cited (MLA format)Paper must be accurate in terms of spelling and grammar The following website is an academic Baha’i website and is useful for research. Not all papers there are necessarily accurate but it is a useful site. https://bahai-library.com/The professor’s website may also be useful even though it is a developing site: researchbahai.com (it has English and Persian sections)Example of topics provided by professor are Tahirih, or Badasht, ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s travels to the West 1911-13, The development of Baha’i administrative institutions, persecution of the Baha’is in Iran after the Islamic revolution, Teaching of Baha’u’llah on almost any topic like peace, equality of men and women, political democracy, abolition of slavery, oneness of humankind, universal auxiliary language, elimination of prejudice and the like, letters of Baha’u’llah to leaders of the world, Ridvan festival, letters of the living, globalization of the Baha’i Faith, any works of the Bab like Persian Bayan, or Commentary on the surih of Joseph, the comparison of Usuli school with Baha’i concept of independent investigation of truth, the declaration of the Bab, the unique principle of covenant in Baha’i history, the contribution of the Baha’is to the development of Iran, discussion of any of the writings of Baha’u’llah, any of the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and any of the writings of Shoghi Effendi, the Baha’i principle of unity of all religion, and comparing another religion or philosophy with Baha’i Faith on almost any topic… Course description/background:This course is a general introduction to Bahai history. Despite 170 years of systematic persecution, denial, and marginalization of the Bahais by both religious and political authorities, the Babi/Bahai movement remains an integral part of Iranian history and culture which has played a crucial role in the emergence of various reform movements in modern Iran. The modern Iran is rooted in the Safavid royal theocratic dynasty, which was followed by a century of chaos, the Qajar dynasty, the Pahlavi dynasty and finally the current clerical theocracy of the Islamic Republic. During their time in power, the Qajars played a decisive mediating role in this period characterized by increasing significance of the Shii clerics in Irans culture and politics. Both the Babi and Bahai movements emerged during the Qajar dynasty in Iran. The Babi religion began in 1844 in the city of Shiraz and was followed in 1863 by the Bahai Faith. Bahaullah, the founder of the Bahai Faith, has identified himself as a reformer of religion, Iran, and the world. Bahai vision introduced a historical as well as a global consciousness to traditional forms of religious and mystical discourse. While during both 19th and 20th centuries Iranian critique of political despotism has frequently sought refuge in submission to the Shii clerical dominance, the Bahais have consistently called for the separation of church and state, and advocated both political and spiritual forms of democracy as the appropriate path for social reform.We will begin our study by examining the social, economic, political, and religious context of the rise of the Babi/Bahai movement in 19th century Iran. Next, our study will concentrate on the history of the Bab, his movement, and teachings. Subsequently we will focus on the history of Bahaullah and his worldview. We will then study the globalization of the Bahai Faith during the ministry of Abdul-Baha, followed by the institutionalization of the movement through Shoghi Effendi and the rise of the administrative order. The final part of the course emphasizes the interaction of the Bahais and the Iranian state and society.Main questions and concepts we focused on throughout the course:Bahaullah writes about his childhood experience in connection with the Bani Qurayza episode. Explain. In 1839 Bahaullah emancipated his slaves. What is his explanation for this action?Bahai Faith begins by this statement: Verily we shall render thee victorious by thyself and by thy pen. Explain the message of this statement.Bahaullah left Baghdad, after one year staying there, to withdraw to the mountains of Sulaymaniyyih. Why?The Bab educated the Babis in a way that vast majority of them actually accepted the claim of Bahaullah as the promised One. Explain. During Baghdad period, a fundamental difference emerges between the ways Bahaullah and Yahya Azal interpreted Babism. Explain.Explain the principles/statements announced by Bahaullah in the garden of Ridvan (Rezvan).During Adrianople, the Most Great Separation happened. Explain.The Exile of Bahaullah to Akka became an example of the cunning of Reason. Explain.What was Bahaullahs reaction to the Urabi revolt?There were two distinct signs during the life of Bahaullah indicating that he would appoint Abdul-Baha as his successor. Explain.Discuss the content of the Book of Covenant and its significance in religious history.Life of Abdul-Baha can be divided into three distinct phases. Explain. Abdul-Baha went to Beirut in June 1880. Why?Two early works of Abdul-Baha are in fact addresses to the people of Iran: Secret of Divine Civilization, and A Travelers Narrative. Explain the main point of these booksAbdul-Bahas work, The Treatise on Politics, was written in a critical point of Iranian and Bahai history. Explain the context and the main message of the book.During Abdul-Bahas ministry the first stage of the globalization of the Bahai community became a reality. Explain.Discuss the reasons for the conversion of the Jews and Zoroastrians in significant numbers to the Bahai Faith in Iran.During the years of peril, Ottoman Sultan Abdul-Hamid intended to exile and kill Abdul-Baha. Why?Discuss Abdul-Bahas position with regard to the Constitutional Revolution in Iran.Abdul-Baha constructed a shrine on Mount Carmel. Why?What is the connection between the Young Turks Revolution in 1908 and Abdul-Bahas travel to Africa, Europe, and America?Explain the implications of Abdul-Bahas visit to the West in relation to orientalist worldview.What was the basic message of Abdul-Baha to the West?Discuss the knighthood of Abdul-Baha.Unlike Odeas pessimistic theory of institutionalization of charisma, Shoghi Effendi conceptualizes history of the Bahai Faith as a process of three ages. ExplainShoghi Effendis ministry was centered on his interpretation of three texts. ExplainDiscuss the present form of the Bahai administrative order.The entire history of Iran can be described as one dialectical process. Explain.What were the consequences of making Iran a shiih state during the Safavid period? Explain.Safavid state and the current Iranian Islamic Republic are both theocratic forms of state. Yet they are very different. ExplainBriefly describe the difference between Akhbari and Usuli schools of Shiih Islam, and the consequence of Usuli rise to power.Discuss the Shaykhi school of Shiism and its basic beliefs.19th century Iran is a century of confronting modernity. Explain.The declaration of the Bab symbolizes a new definition of religion in his writings. Explain.The declaration of the Bab in 1844 was accompanied with intense millenarian expectations among the Shiih Muslims. Explain.According to the Bab, all beings are a gate (bab). Explain.Throughout his first book, the Bab calls himself Dhikr (zekr). What is the spiritual meaning of this title?In his early works, the Bab spoke as if he is the Gate to the Hidden 12th Imam. But those same writings clearly showed that his real claim is far higher. Explain.Who are the Letters of the Living, and why they are called by that name?The ministry of the Bab can be divided in two parts, before and after the summer of 1848. Discuss the difference between the two periods.Who is Tahirih? Discuss her life.Why Mirza Aghasi, the prime minister of Muhammad Shah, did not wish the Bab to meet the Shah? Explain.Discuss the Badasht Conference.Discuss the interrogation of the Bab in Tabriz.Briefly discuss the reasons for Tabarsi, Zanjan, and Nayriz episodes.Discuss the Tablet of the Bab entitled Declaration of the Advent of the Qaim.Describe and explain the significance of the execution of the Bab.The Bab reinterpreted the ideas of heaven, hell, and the Day of Resurrection. Explain.Writings of the Bab are centered on the idea of He Whom God shall make manifest. Explain.Instead of the traditional idea of abrogation (naskh), the Bab creates the word Irtifa to refer to that idea. Explain.What is the position of the Bab on the question of Jihad or holy war? Explain.
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