Woman, Life, Freedom: Iconography, Iconology, and Mediality of a Social Movement (51727-WiSe23/24)

Section outline

• Select section Course Introduction

  Course Introduction

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  'Woman, Life, Freedom: Iconography, Iconology, and Mediality of a Social Movement'

  
  
  

  A practical seminar on a live and moving social movement ‘‘Woman Life Freedom’’, which is about to form the first feminist revolution. Together we will observe and monitor social media accounts and contents and will study the evolution of an image or video into an icon in the (social) media and consequently in the local and global public sphere. In the context of this feminist movement, we will analyze the Mediality of the form, performance, content, message, semantics, and symbol in the iconography and iconology; both an aesthetic and pragmatic approach. There will be live and offline conversations with female activists, artists, and people from different walks of life in Iran directly or indirectly involved in the movement. Individual and group projects on the icons will be executed.  

  Mondays      14:00-16:00         GABF 04/611

  Emad Garivani

  Email:  emad.garivani@rub.de

  Room: GB 1/37 
  

  Tuesdays & Wednesdays 15-18 (Consultation and guidance on your presentations/papers with appointments)

  Please read the Forums below and don't hesitate to share what you find online

  • Select activity Oral Exam

    

    Oral Exam Choice

    ATTENTION: Due to the short notice Public Transport Strike the Oral exam for Thursday 15.02.24   14-17 is Cancelled. 

    Please use Wednesday 21.02.24 for your Oral exam. If you can not attend that day please let me know by email and we will find another date.

    Please choose only one of these appointments for your Oral exam. More descriptions about the details of the exam and a few sample questions will follow.
    

    Come to the exam with no stress and it will be rather an opportunity for us to learn from each other. I am eager to hear your subjective point of view on your chosen topic which you will begin with, based on the course, the supplementary texts, and media. I am quite confident that you will all perform very well. 

    Explanations for the exam: Each student will begin based on the subject mentioned in the Thesenpapier. Then each of you will be asked 3-5 questions. 3 questions if you already have done a presentation & 5 questions if you haven't. Most probably one question would be dedicated to one of the articles or book chapters mentioned below in Moodle. Another will be about one of the audiovisual materials in the course or Moodle. One question will be dedicated to one of the guest's talks.

    All of you are expected to perform the exam in my office:

    Ruhr-Universität Bochum

    Universitätsstr. 150, Room: GB 1/37

    If you can not be present in person, kindly please send me an email and we will be able to do the exam Online. Below you may find the Zoom link :

    Join Zoom Meeting

    https://ruhr-uni-bochum.zoom.us/j/6866299708?pwd=ZDJzR0dwaEN1WXlMeEpuTVhFZHRQQT09

    Meeting ID: 686 629 9708
    

    Passcode: 051737

    Sample questions:

    1. What is different on the cover page of Zane Rooz before and after 1979 revolution? how come? 

    2. Name and explain some of the laws against women

    3. Why Hamideh Sadeghi has named her book Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling?

    4. What is the importance of narrating and documenting looking at Seven Winters in Tehran

  • Select activity Attendance Certificate/Grade Oral Exam/Term Paper

    

    Attendance Certificate/Grade Oral Exam/Term Paper Choice

    Please choose whether you need an attendance certificate or a grade. In case you choose the grade please specify if you are going to take an oral exam or you are going to write a term paper.

  • Select activity Student Tasks for Grades & Participation Certificate

    

    Student Tasks for Grades & Participation Certificate Lesson

    • Produce content including image, graphics, animation, video, collage and etc as if you were an online/offline activist 
    • (Visual) Performances of Hijab spectrum Compliance-Transgression-Rebellion & etc. Make Album/Atlas. 
    • Analyse & Contextualise the process from Image to Icon.
    • Analyse & Contextualise the process from Grief to Rage. 
    • Analyse Slogans, humour, creativity and contradictions.
    • Analyse Documentaries made about Iranian women (Docunight).
    • Analyse & demonstrate strategies of propaganda by Iranian regime
      

    
    

  • Select activity Groups Organization

    

    Groups Organization Group choice

    
    

    Please form groups and announce which subject you are going to work on

    
    

  • Select activity Social media accounts and posts to work and follow

    

    Social media accounts and posts to work and follow Lesson

    https://www.instagram.com/amnestyiran/  The Amnesty's report  on detainees (https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/7480/2023/en/)
    

    https://www.instagram.com/masih.alinejad/
    

    https://www.instagram.com/1500tasvir/

    https://www.instagram.com/from____iran/

    https://www.instagram.com/womanlifefreedom.art/

    https://www.instagram.com/toomajofficial/

    https://www.instagram.com/bidarzani/

    https://www.instagram.com/khiabantribune/

    https://www.instagram.com/sepidehrashnu_/
    

    https://www.instagram.com/golfarahani/

    https://www.instagram.com/neyestanimana/
    
    

    https://www.instagram.com/atashshahkarami/
    

    https://www.instagram.com/chelseahartisme/

    
    

    Mass Media: https://www.instagram.com/iranintltv/

    https://www.instagram.com/manotoofficial/

    https://www.instagram.com/radiofarda/

    https://www.instagram.com/bbcpersian/
    

    https://www.instagram.com/tavaana/
    

    https://www.instagram.com/iranwire/
    

    The list will be updated. Please mention below the pages you find on social media that might be helping for your classmates

    
    

  • Select activity Links to active #Woman_Life_Freedom Social/Mass Media accounts

    

    Links to active #Woman_Life_Freedom Social/Mass Media accounts Forum
  • Select activity Narges Mohammadi Iranian human rights activist recieved the Noble Peace prize

    

    Narges Mohammadi Iranian human rights activist recieved the Noble Peace prize Forum
  • Select activity Armita Gravavand #ArmitaGaravand #آرمیتا_گراوند

    

    Armita Gravavand #ArmitaGaravand #آرمیتا_گراوند Forum
  • Select activity General Sources

    

    General Sources File

    The book Mass Protests in Iran Masoud Kazemzade Chapter 5 Woman, Life, Freedom, the 2022 –2023 Mass Protests  
    

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111280288

    The whole book is licensed with your RUB credentials. 

    _{Here I upload chapter of books or articles which will give an insight and you may use it to deepen your knowledge and use these and secondary sources that these books and articles use for your presentations and term paper. Reading these articles are recommended but not obligatory and won't be included directly in the oral exam.} 

    _{Documentary about the life of  Táhirih Qurrat al-ʿAyn Ghoratolein Táhirih - Wikipedia}

    Dust-Flower-Flame Documentary 

    
    Golshifteh Farahani Iranian actress in Chandshanbe Talk Show(with English subtitle):
    
    
    

• Select section 16.10 Opening

  16.10 Opening

  • Select activity Introduction to Course. Tasks. Groups.

    

    Introduction to Course. Tasks. Groups. Lesson

    
    

    Introduction to Course. Students Introduction. Explanation of Tasks.

    
    

• Select section 23.10 Iconology: Contextualisation

  23.10 Iconology: Contextualisation

  • Select activity Iconology: Contextualization

    

    Iconology: Contextualization Lesson

    Iconology: 
    

    • Contemporary History of Iran. 
    • Media Ecology and Censorship. 

    
    

    Depiction of Social and Women's condition through documentary. Home Screening :

    Women's Prison 1965 (11 min)

    Teheran is the Capital of Iran - Kamran Shirdel 1966 (18 min)
    

     
    

    Iranian Women's Liberation Movement, Year Zero 1979 (12 min) by Claudine Mulard
    

    Since during the first session there wasn't enough time please watch these documentaries at home These will be useful for historical insight which we will discuss during the second session. 
    

    
    

  • Select activity Zane Rooz ''Woman of the Day'' Cover Page Gallery before and after 1979

    

    Zane Rooz ''Woman of the Day'' Cover Page Gallery before and after 1979 Lightbox Gallery
  • Select activity Zane Rooz ''Woman of the Day'' 1979 January

    

    Zane Rooz ''Woman of the Day'' 1979 January File

    
    

  • Select activity PDF File: Sharia and national law in Iran. Written by Ziba Mir-Hosseini

    

    PDF File: Sharia and national law in Iran. Written by Ziba Mir-Hosseini

    Chapter 8. Sharia and national law in Iran. Written by Ziba Mir-Hosseini

    From the book ''Sharia Incorporated: A Comparative Overview of the Legal Systems of Twelve Muslim Countries in Past and Present. Amsterdam University Press. 2012''

    https://doi.org/10.1515/9789400600171-011
    

    You are expected to read at least pages 329 till 357. Obviously for deeper insight do not hesitate to read the whole chapter. 

    Fortunately the whole book is licensed in De Gruyter website which you have access through your RUB(or home) university credentials. You are invited to read about other Islamic countries.    
    

  • Select activity Power Point 23.10 Iconology: Contextualisation

    

    Power Point 23.10 Iconology: Contextualisation File
• Select section 30.10 Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling

  30.10 Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling

  • Select activity Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling

    

    Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling Lesson

    Contemporary Iranian Women history narrated through Hijab. 

    • Islam and Religious theocracy in Iran.

    • Women & Islam. Religious Patriarchy.

    • Gender Apartheid. Injustices against Women. 

    
    

  • Select activity Talking with Atena Shahidi Theatre director and actress in Mashhad Iran

    

    Talking with Atena Shahidi Theatre director and actress in Mashhad Iran Lesson

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

  • Select activity More about Atena Shahidi's career and photos

    

    More about Atena Shahidi's career and photos Lightbox Gallery
  • Select activity PDF File: Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling By Hamideh Sedghi

    

    PDF File: Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling By Hamideh Sedghi

    Women and Politics in Iran: Veiling, Unveiling, and Reveiling By Hamideh Sedghi (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge 2007 ) 341 pp.

    Link to book full text:

    https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/women-and-politics-in-iran/12BF17C0ABCB4F86A4F75A5193FF4AAC
    

  • Select activity Injustices Against Iranian Women

    

    Injustices Against Iranian Women File

    
    

    Iran’s War on Women | UANI (unitedagainstnucleariran.com)
    

    
    

• Select section 06.11 The power of Images and & Narration. Activism in Exile.

  06.11 The power of Images and & Narration. Activism in Exile.

  • Select activity The power of Images and & Narration. Activism in Exile.

    

    The power of Images and & Narration. Activism in Exile. Lesson

    Screening: 

    Seven Minutes and Thirtyone Seconds (2021) 11 min

    Sieben Minuten und Einunddreißig Sekunden

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    Gassi Gassi (2021) 11 min

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    Dreams have no scent. Träume haben keinen Duft (2023) documentary 87 min

    
    

    by Solmaz Gholami

    
    

• Select section 13.11 The Girls of Revolution(Enghelab) Street

  13.11 The Girls of Revolution(Enghelab) Street

  • Select activity The Girls of Revolution (Enghelab) Street

    

    The Girls of Revolution (Enghelab) Street Lesson

    The Girls of Revolution (Enghelab) Street : 

    • White Wednesdays
    • Performativity.
    • Online and Offline Activism. 

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

    
    

  • Select activity The power of Images and & Narration. Activism in Exile.

    

    The power of Images and & Narration. Activism in Exile. Lesson

    
    Solmaz Gholami will be present and we will discuss both her films and different methods in depicting and narrating. 
    

    
    

  • Select activity Sara Tafakori Digital Feminism beyond Nativism and Empire

    

    Sara Tafakori Digital Feminism beyond Nativism and Empire File

    
    

    Sara Tafakori Digital Feminism beyond Nativism and Empire: Affective Territories of Recognition and Competing Claims to Suffering in Iranian Women’s Campaigns
    

    • DOI:  10.1086/715649

    
    

• Select section 20.11 Strike

  20.11 Strike
• Select section 27.11 Documenting & Narrating

  27.11 Documenting & Narrating

  • Select activity Documenting & Narrating

    

    Documenting & Narrating Lesson

    Screening:

    Sieben Winter in Teheran 2019-2023 Documentary 97 Min by Steffi Niederzoll

    
    

    
    

• Select section 04.12 From Iconography to Iconology

  04.12 From Iconography to Iconology

  • Select activity From Iconography to Iconology

    

    From Iconography to Iconology Lesson

    • Iconography.
    • Representation of Women in Art, Culture, History, Culture Cinema and Media. 
    • Iconology of Woman Life Freedom

    
    

  • Select activity Helia & Zahra

    

    Helia & Zahra Lesson

    
    

    two guests that we will talk to about our course issues and their specific fields:
    

    Helia Shirjafari: LGBTQIA+ writer, editor, content creator

    Links to the Spectrum pages on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/noursarahnawa/

    https://noursarah.com/en/

    https://www.instagram.com/aavaa_org/

    https://www.instagram.com/xavishanx/

    https://www.instagram.com/dojensgara/

    https://www.instagram.com/macholand_fa/

    https://www.instagram.com/iranianlgbt_/

    
    

    Zahra Artist, painter, sculptor, and art teacher 

    An example of Zahra's graffiti for Woman Life Freedom

    
    

    
    

  • Select activity More about Helia

    

    More about Helia File
  • Select activity More about Zahra, Horned Collection of Paintings

    

    More about Zahra, Horned Collection of Paintings File
  • Select activity More about Zahra, Women of my Country Collection of Paintings

    

    More about Zahra, Women of my Country Collection of Paintings File
• Select section 11.12 From Grief to Rage

  11.12 From Grief to Rage

  • Select activity From Grief to Rage

    

    From Grief to Rage Lesson

    Q&A and discussion with:

    Steffi Niederzoll the director of Sieben Winter in Teheran 

    &

    Shole Pakravan activist and the writer of

    ‘‘Wie man ein Schmetterling wird: Das kurze, mutige Leben meiner Tochter Reyhaneh Jabbari. Das Buch zum Film» Sieben Winter in Teheran’’

    
    

  • Select activity Gender Politics & Body.

    

    Gender Politics & Body. Lesson

    
    

    • Gender Segregation. 

    • Restriction and the question of the female body. 

    • Hijab and body.

    • The evolution of Collective Memory.
      

    
    
    

  • Select activity Abedinezhad, Zahra: Layered Meanings of Resistance through Dress and Bodily Practices

    

    Abedinezhad, Zahra: Layered Meanings of Resistance through Dress and Bodily Practices File

    Layered Meanings of Resistance through Dress and Bodily Practices A Case Study of Iranian Women 2023
    

    Abedinezhad, Zahra (2023). Layered Meanings of Resistance through Dress and Bodily Practices: A Case Study of Iranian Women, Western Folklore, 82.2:133-164 
    

• Select section 18.12 Generation Z

  18.12 Generation Z

  • Select activity Generation Z

    

    Generation Z Lesson

    • Digital Condition of Generations their Relationship with Social Media.
    • Generation Z & Its Unique Feminist Fighting Methods.
    • Sloganology.
    • Songs

    • Screening Excerpts from: 

      The Female Voice of Iran (2019) by Andreas Rochholl 
      The Female Voice Of Iran – Movie

  • Select activity The Rhymes of Zhina Movement

    

    The Rhymes of Zhina Movement File

    
    

    A fascinating research on revolutionary songs and slogans

    The Rhymes of Zhina Movement: Content Analysis of Revolutionary and Protest Music of Iran 2022 by Hadi Miri Ashtiani
    

    DOI:    https://doi.org/10.53895/ftj1312
    

    
    

• Select section 08.01 Mediality of Woman Life Freedom

  08.01 Mediality of Woman Life Freedom

  • Select activity Mediality of Woman Life Freedom

    

    Mediality of Woman Life Freedom Lesson

    
    

    • Woman Life Freedom: Mediality.
      
    • Internationalisation of Symbols & Performance

    
    

• Select section 15.01 Students Presentations

  15.01 Students Presentations

  Michelle Igumenow, Max Königshofen, Galala Safear, Paula Kamrad,
  

  Fabian Park
  
• Select section 22.01 Students Presentations

  22.01 Students Presentations

  Group A Subject: Instagram Content 
  

  Consisting of: Anna-Lena Kwelik

  Group B Subject: Video edit/Instagram Content
  

  Selin Özkan

  Jonas Thomsen
  

  Nikol Georgieva, Marie Nelz

  Fenja Fessen, Leonie Makowski, Fatemeh Zahra Pirhadi, Vivien Teresa Slowioczek
  

  
  
• Select section 29.01 Students Presentations

  29.01 Students Presentations

  Group A Subject: TBA

  Consisting of: Milea Kerckhoff, Rebecca Bednarzyk, Sude Erkan, Nina Dolinski

  Group B Subject: TBA
  

  Consisting of: Giordana Meo

  
  

  Group C Subject: TBA 

  Moritz Diekhöfer

  Esther Wilming & Greta Bürger
  

  Katharina Frölich & Haniyeh Mousavi

  Alyn-Celina Shirin Edelkraut & Alina Kerstin Weber

  Giorgia Dhimpali