Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Abstract Art is one of the most dynamic domains of human life, yet artistic innovations do not share the same destiny: some attract temporary attention and disappear, while others become embedded in collective memory. Understanding the mechanisms behind this difference is particularly important in creative industries. Drawing upon institutional theory, this study investigates how innovative musical styles become institutionalized in contemporary Iran and why some innovations gain permanence while others are forgotten. The research adopts an interpretive qualitative approach using grounded theory within a multiple-case study design. Data were collected through archival sources and semi-structured interviews with members of eight innovative Iranian music groups, selected through purposive sampling with a snowball strategy, and analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding until theoretical saturation was achieved. Five major themes were identified: the organic emergence of innovation through artists' internal creative interactions; the formation of an initial niche audience through shared taste and informal channels; stylistic stabilization through authenticity and audience loyalty; negotiations for institutional support after audience consolidation; and the acceptance or rejection of that support. The findings demonstrate that audience formation precedes institutional endorsement and serves as a critical condition for the long-term survival of innovative musical styles. The study concludes that institutionalization in creative industries emerges through ongoing interactions among artists, audiences, and institutional actors rather than through formal legitimacy alone. The proposed model contributes to institutional theory by highlighting cultural identity, audience engagement, and adaptive institutional arrangements, with practical implications for artists, cultural entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

Abstract Citizenship rights are considered one of the most fundamental components of political development in contemporary societies and play a decisive role in strengthening the legitimacy, efficiency, and stability of political systems. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Constitution and the Charter on Citizens’ Rights have provided important legal and institutional capacities for guaranteeing fundamental freedoms, political participation, and public supervision. Nevertheless, the gap between legal texts and practical implementation has caused the realization of these rights to face numerous structural, legal, and cultural challenges. The present study aims to examine the opportunities and challenges related to the realization of citizenship rights and their impact on political development in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method based on a qualitative approach, and data were collected through library research and analysis of legal and academic documents. The findings indicate that factors such as the rule of law, political participation, informational transparency, freedom of expression, civil institutions, and public oversight can create the foundations for political development and the enhancement of social capital. In contrast, weak enforcement guarantees, legal contradictions, restrictions on independent civil institutions, lack of a culture of accountability, and insufficient public awareness of citizenship rights are among the major obstacles to political development in Iran. The results suggest that sustainable political development in Iran requires the mutual reinforcement of citizenship rights, accountable institutions, and transparent governance mechanisms. Ultimately, the greater the guarantee and implementation of citizenship rights, the stronger public participation and social trust become, thereby paving the way for sustainable political development.

Abstract Electoral debates, their content, and the manner of their conduct have long attracted attention across various sectors of society, particularly among researchers, due to their lasting effects on the public. This study aims to identify psychological operations tactics and their deployment by candidates in Iran’s presidential election campaigns, employing an interdisciplinary approach. The central research question is: Which psychological operations tactics and methods did the candidates of the twelfth presidential election of Iran use against their rivals during the debates? To collect and analyze debate data, both qualitative and quantitative content analysis methods were employed. In this approach, data were purposefully gathered, categorized, and analyzed based on indicators derived from theoretical frameworks. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, political psychology serves as the theoretical framework of the study. Findings indicate that the candidates employed 45 tactics, some of which constitute psychological operations. These tactics can be categorized under two main dimensions: first, defensive–offensive tactics, and second, explanatory–demonstrative tactics. Among these, the identification and conceptualization of new tactics—such as the “I’ll tell, I’ll tell!” tactic, threats of legal action, and the use of evidence or witnesses—represent the innovative contributions of this study. The results further suggest that the debate process comprises two content layers. The primary layer is guided by more experienced figures with significant executive responsibilities, while the secondary layer is generally represented by less experienced individuals without notable executive backgrounds.
Keywords: Iran, presidential elections, debate, psychological operations, interdisciplinary 

Abstract This Article was conducted with an interdisciplinary approach, aiming to conceptualize the idea of hope for the future. The study used a qualitative methodology based on data-driven theory-building, employing in-depth interviews and theoretical sampling with 13 professors and experts in the fields of political sociology, social psychology, and social policy from Allameh Tabatabai University and the University of Tehran. After theoretical saturation, the interview texts were analyzed using MAXQDA10 qualitative data analysis software, employing open, axial, and selective coding methods. The results from open and axial coding led to the identification of 87 concepts and 15 core categories. Additionally, the selective coding revealed that the core category of the concept of Feelings of social instability and uncertain prospects is influenced by causal conditions (Disappointment with policies and social institutions; comparison and lack of hope in the political system’s achievements; public anger towards injustice; fragmentation of public opinion), as well as contextual conditions (Negative collective experiences of economic crises; age) and intervening conditions (individual, value, and social identity changes; identity formation through new media) leading to consequences such as: reevaluation of the meaning of life and the emergence of protest behavior. Strategies and measures to address these consequences, such as (adjusting expectations and demands with the capacities of the existing government; planning to manage public opinion; representation of unity between officials and the masses; representation of a faithful lifestyle; maintaining balance in domestic and foreign policies), are proposed from the perspective of academic elites.

Abstract The chaotic state of the global environment indicates the inappropriate exploitation of nature by humans. Although the philosophy of creation finds meaning in balance and equilibrium, and this is clearly evident in environmental indicators before human intervention, the entry of humans and their interference in nature have created instability. Climate change, water, soil, and air pollution, reduction in biodiversity, severe changes in land use, and the intensification of extreme events are all due to humans' deviation and non-compliance with the laws governing nature. In recent decades, many efforts have been made to solve these problems in various countries around the world, and the emphasis on the need to return to the principles and system of nature was one of the most important of them. The term ecological civilization, which was first introduced in 1976 by Feature in the book "Conditions of Human Survival", has become one of the keywords for human return to the principles of nature in recent years, so that countries such as China, with a rich and nature-loving civilizational background, are trying to improve the problems and imbalances in the country's environment by reviving the traditions of their predecessors in preserving nature. On the other hand, there are strong beliefs about the need to transition from the current economy to a green economy based on vital relationships between the economy, society and the environment. An economy in which growth and development will not necessarily lead to environmental destruction. This article attempts to find out how to realize ecological civilization through the green economy. In this regard, by examining the civilizational background of Iranians in preserving nature, a suitable capacity for the transition to ecological civilization through a green economy in Iran has been suggested.

Abstract The primary function of the humanities and social sciences is to understand and address societal issues and problems, a task that is increasingly complex and specialized through interdisciplinary studies and fields. Even when disciplinary expertise fails to comprehend and resolve these problems, interdisciplinary approaches assume this role with enhanced capabilities, employing multidimensional and multilevel methodologies and epistemologies. The premise of this paper is that, in contemporary Iran, there are no acceptable theories or theorists in the field of interdisciplinary studies that meet international standards. This paper aims to explore the reasons behind the lack of prominent and internationally recognized theories and theorists in Iran today, particularly within the interdisciplinary domains of the humanities and social sciences. The factors contributing to this issue are manifold and exist at various levels; this article seeks to understand some of the main and general causes. The central question is: What are the challenges and obstacles to interdisciplinary theorizing in the field of humanities and social sciences in Iran? The article identifies and discusses six general challenges and barriers to Iranian theorizing in these fields, particularly in interdisciplinary studies: populism, politicisation, binary opposition, Westoxification, Pseudo-traditionalization, and bewilderment. This research simultaneously employs both phenomenological and foundational research methods.

Abstract Considering changes to the age structure of the population and macro-level socioeconomic transformations that Iran has experienced, marriage trends between different periods and generations are expected to go along with a change. This paper aims to examine periodic and generational changes in marriage and the determinants of marriage probability over the last four decades using the multilevel age-period-cohort method. For this purpose, the data from the Households Income and Expenditure Survey were analyzed. The findings showed that in both sexes, younger cohorts delay their marriage compared to the older ones and hence marry at older ages. The percentage of married women in all cohorts is higher than men until 35 years, but at older ages, there is an opposite tendency. Periodic trends confirm these results. The age-period-cohort analysis reveals women marry earlier than men in all periods and cohorts, but the marriage probability among them is less than men. Tertiary education and employment are found to be crucial variables in reducing the probability of marriage in different periods and cohorts but their impacts are varied in two sexes. The breadwinner male model of the Iranian family i.e., employment has led to the increase in marriage probability of men but at the same time decrease the women’s marriage probability. Given the expansion of higher education and the prolongation of the education period, it is expected that in case of lack of appropriate policies and programs for youth, the delay in marriage with continue. In this way, planners need to take into account the changes that have taken place at family and community levels over the past decades in their policies.

Abstract The adoption of intermediate plans for development and progress is based on policies that are in the form of specific objectives and legal mechanism and executive plans. As in many cases, the weakness in implementation can be traced to policies. Accordingly, due to the imbalance between consumption and demand in the management of water resources, one of the reasons can be sought in the form of policy-making and planning. However, water policy-making and planning in Iran has not been a fixed one and has undergone many changes in social and political contexts. Most of the developments in water planning and policy-making are between water programs before and after the Islamic Revolution; developments in medium and short terms are also evident. To identify these developments through a qualitative approach and the inductive content analysis method, the text of development plans and documents has been studied. Since the Islamic Revolution, these developments have been more influenced by the political discourse of the government. The results also show that development programs in Iran have not been sufficiently coherent in terms of the sustainability of water resources. In fact, the change in policies related to the exploitation of water resources during this period has led to the rupture of various development programs of the country from the perspective of water management.

Abstract Corona pandemic has suspended two major social institutions in Iran; Traditional institution: Mosques, Holy Shrines, Ramadan and Muharram religious rituals were shut down very soon; as far as modern institutions concerned, i.e. malls, cinemas, Coffee shops, universities, parks and restaurants they faced closure gradually. Instead of these two social structures, other two marginal institutions, internet and home, have taken responsibility to endure the fading social, cultural and even educational affairs. It seems that in intersection of home and internet, there is a “digital woman” maintaining “the social”, which we aim to introduce. This new feminine institution has risen within masculine Iranian tradition and masculine modernization. We use Nematollah Fazeli’s viewpoint about Iranian “none-traditional return to home” in semi-quarantined corona days and his idea about appearance of unprecedented “active home” in the pandemic. We also use Donna Haraway’s “a cyborg manifesto” about the feminine characteristics of mixed human-technology condition, to get qualitative analysis of Persian Instagram content in first wave of pandemic (between March and June 2020). The result implicates the appearance of a new generation of Iranian women, neither a traditional housewife as part of private home; nor a modernized one as part of public street; but a post-traditionalist/post-modernist creative citizen inside “Insta-Homes”, representing an feminine agency which doesn’t fit in the marginalizing borders of traditional and modernist patriarchal structures.

Abstract Iran have the longest history of development program among the under developing countries, but it is still a developing country. None of the country development programs including before and after the revolution, has reached its economic goals. Nowadays, the country has not suitable development position among the world countries, but sometime has been witnessed a retreat. The main goal of this paper is analyzing the economic achievements of 70 years’ development programs and their effective factors from the viewpoints of mental structures. Research required data have collected through interview with development planers elites and some documents. Collected data analyzed through grounded theory and inductive reasoning. Findings show that economic goals of development programs have not realized after 70 years.  Because the programs are not based on strong theoretical foundations and in accordance with country natural, economic and social condition. Therefore, People voluntary participation not guaranteed due to lack of democratic structure. Work does not have a significant validity; in spite of low economic weight of country among the world, a large share of world politics is being pursued in this country. The impact of natural, economic and social stabilities on production development does not matter and economics is not considering as an organic phenomenon. Therefore, negative mental structures play an important role in failing to fulfill development programs in Iran.

Abstract The central issue of Ashraf in reviewing Iran's history is to explain the historical obstacles of the formation of the capitalist system of the bourgeoisie and civil society. Ashraf to Description of the above problem has used the concepts of "Asian system" and "feudal system" in Marx's thoughts, and the concepts of “Patrimonialism” and “the Oriental City” in the sociology of Max Weber. As he has used the native concept of the "Muluk-al-Tawaiifi” to analyze some of the characteristics of the social and political life of the nomadic societies and their effects on social and political life of Iran. Ashraf, one of the representatives of the discourse of democratic and capitalist development pattern based on the role of the middle class or bourgeoisie. Ashraf's views on the historical barriers of Iranian society development are remarkable at three levels of political, social and economic interconnectedness. The dominance of Asian systems and the patrimonial and the Muluk al-Tawaiifi in the political arena, Nomadic, rural, and urban community associations in the social arena And the unity of the methods of agricultural production and handicrafts were the factors that Ashraf has raised as historical obstacles to the realization of feudalism and the growth of "national capitalism" in Iranian history.

Abstract Internationalization has become a major issue and a widespread phenomenon in higher education area.. One of the aspects of policy making in this area is paying attention to the cultural dimensions of internationalization of higher education, which provides the terms of acceptance of this phenomenon and prevents conflicts. Considering the importance of cultural issues and the role of reproduction of culture in higher education, this article seeks to answer the question of what cultural requirements for internationalization of higher education are required. To answer this question, a mixed research method (qualitative and quantitative) was used. The findings showed that in order to promote the internationalization of higher education in Iran, it was necessary to consider the adoption of cultural policy at the levels of governance, the international environment, the domestic environment (national culture), and universities and higher education institutions simultaneously, and in each case it is necessary to adopt proper policies. The main suggestion of this paper is presented in the form of a comprehensive and universal model based on all levels and the far and near environment of higher education.

Abstract One of the most important topics have been studied in Cultural geography field, is investigating the relationship between environment conditions and its effects on culture and how their mutual influence on each other. In this regard, some cultural elements are raised by natural geography condition and is related by natural dimensions and characteristics of geographic space. These ecological characteristics lead formation of the unique cultural landscape of space. In other word, the reasons for the emergence of this symbol culture were related to natural features. For example, many part of the religion function include provide solutions for problems that there are in the place. This trend is terminated to the formation of religious thoughts that particularly is led by natural space. Obviously, Religion in Iran is certainly not the exception in this category, and there is some part of fundamental causes of characteristics Religions in Iran were affected by natural foundations of Iran’s plateau. In this regard, in this paper this question has been proposed, how had been affected natural geographical indexes on religious thoughts before Islam rise and after it? In this research for responding to this question, have been struggled with explanting and analytical approaches, was checked natural fundamental causes of religious thoughts in Iran. Finding research reveals that, natural conditions of Iran plateau or even in the Middle East such as climatologic characteristics or geomorphologic conditions, hydro issues, have been very effective roles on religious thoughts before entering of Islam to Iran and after it.

Abstract Persia (Iran) is considered one of the oldest civilisations; because of its especial geographical and geopolitical position, economic conditions and numerous other factors, it has always attracted the attention of rulers and natives of other countries. This has resulted into extensive relations between Persians (Iranians) and other nations throughout history. As a result, along the Persian (Farsi) language which has been used to communicate by different people settled in this territory, as befitting each era, a variety of foreign languages also rose in popularity. Moreover, the issue of teaching and learning foreign languages across this land, especially in recent centuries, has been among the concerns of its inhabitants. Employing historical and linguistic research, this article, which is prepared by scholars of linguistics and history for the very first time in the relevant world literature, aims to discuss the position of foreign languages in Persia (Iran) and the changes in their status in different eras, from the past to the present. The examination of historical and linguistic documents as well as of existing knowledge depicts an impressive picture of the number of languages that were spoken throughout Persian (Iranian) history as well as their diversity.

Abstract Interdisciplinary studies can play a pivotal role in the growth and development of sciences, especially the humanities. In the present article, through semi-structured interviews with some experts and thinkers in Iran and the content analysis of their ideas, attempt is made to answer these questions: in the view of experts, what are the main obstacles to the development of humanities in Iran? And what role can interdisciplinary studies play in the development of humanities? The results of the study show that according to experts, “interdisciplinary development”, having the twelfth place among the sixteen important factors in the development of humanities, does not have a considerable effect on the development of humanities in Iran per se, and its efficacy depends on the existence of more important conditions, such as the provision of an open intellectual climate at universities and the independence of scientific community. The development of interdisciplinary studies can play a part in the development of humanities in Iran, only if it results in scientific synergy among experts in different disciplines of humanities, improves the scientific ability of professors, students and researchers, and makes humanities more applicable in society.

Abstract In this article, we declare the preliminary approaches of translation in Iran's history, includes some results of a research about translation trends in Iran’s cultural history, in order to understand any probable relation between the assumed approaches and the socio-cultural changes, in which there is two major historical periods, the ancient Iran and the Islamic cultural period. Then the probable relation between translation approaches and socio-cultural changes has been considered and conceptually used as an index for understanding the social functions of translation in those periods, and also finding out any socio-historical role of translation in the cultural history of Iran. The concept of “translation” in this article has been used in two different, but related conceptual meaning: the first one considers translation as the process of rendering words or texts from one language into another, the second approaches includes any reading and re-reading of a culture by another culture, as an intercultural process. Methodologically, older periods have been studied by pursuing the relations between transitional engravings, scripts and monuments. The newer periods have been studied through historical reports. The final conclusion proposes two different functions of translation; it seems that translation in the ancient period is an inner cultural trait; and in the Islamic era seems to function more as a “necessity for intercultural communications”, and also as a way to provide basic needs for constructing a trans-cultural society.

Abstract Interdisciplinary can be considered as an advantage when it has a certain relation with scientific and epistemic facilities in a society. In contemporary Iran, some of these facilities are the heritage of our religious intellectualism, and considering interdisciplinary phenomenon, they may be used in scientific and methodological fields, and somehow in academic policy-making. The heritage of Ali Shariati’s intellectualism -- as a thing that cannot be rejected in terms of language, theoretical value, and attraction to students in our thought framework -- contains the basis for multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary thought. Therefore, having multi-disciplinary knowledge, Shariati discuses subjects such as human, history, land, and identity -- which cannot be explained properly using a mere field of study -- in an inter-disciplinary method. The canon of Shariti’s inter-disciplinary thought can be discussed in the concept of “fixed-variable”. This paper conducts a hermeneutical analysis of the interdisciplinary facilities in Shariati’s intellectualism base on “fixed-variable” challenge. The result indicates that interdisciplinary can be a base for making human sciences indigenous in Iran. If we take into account the interdisciplinary based on historical and social facts, the real epistemic and thinking challenges will be revealed and interdisciplinary can be expanded.

Abstract This research analyzes patterns and different interdisciplinary educational programs and takes their propriety with Islamic economics and finance into consideration. Actually, this answers the question that if Islamic economics and finance is going to be held as an interdisciplinary field in the Islamic humanities, which of the main interdisciplinary approaches should be adopted and how much is the potentiality of every interdisciplinary approach herein? Presenting principles “maximum integration” and “maximum usage”, the research shows that proper approach toward Islamic economics and finance is content-based integration and among different approaches, intra-disciplinary and parallel inter-disciplinary approaches can’t secure the principles. Although multi-disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, pluri-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary and post-disciplinary approaches are more appropriate than two previous ones, but in current condition, because of their shortcomings, usage of them is not suggested. Finally, it seems that potentiality and efficiency of Interdisciplinary approach is more than the others. Hence, planner of Islamic economics and finance can utilize this in designing the relevant curriculum. However, in practice, Interdisciplinary approach can be taken as basic and principal approach and simultaneously, advantages of other approaches can be used to strength educational program.

Abstract ABSTRACT
Global discourse increasingly positions Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) as an inevitable horizon for the smart conservation of cultural heritage. Yet this technology-centered discourse presupposes the existence of governed data infrastructures and faces substantial challenges when translated into contexts such as Iran. Drawing on an interdisciplinary and critical framework that brings together critical geography and spatial studies, public administration and public policy, and critical Science and Technology Studies (STS), this article argues that the central challenge in the management of cultural heritage in Iran lies not in the absence of sophisticated technologies, but in the lack of governed data infrastructures as the fundamental precondition for digital transformation. This study adopts a qualitative approach and employs methodological triangulation through critical discourse analysis of policy documents, particularly the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy; analysis of institutional performance data; and field observations conducted within the governmental body responsible for cultural heritage management. The findings show that the structural absence of integrated and standardized databases has reduced the discourse of heritage smartification to a “Smartification Illusion,” producing a condition conceptualized here as the “Pre-Data Stage”. In response to this structural misalignment, the article proposes a phased framework of heritage data governance in which the establishment of governance arrangements, standards, and institutional capacities is treated as a prerequisite for investment in advanced analytical tools. It concludes by emphasizing the need to redirect attention and resources away from performative technological initiatives and toward the foundational task of building robust data governance structures.