Iranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320Corona pandemic as an invisible–manifest civil warCorona pandemic as an invisible–manifest civil war92633710.22035/isih.2020.4070.4147FAA.ManoochehriProfessor of Political Science, Dept. of Political Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20201206With the unprecedented speed of diffusion, and with the unimagined persistence in disturbingly challenging human interaction from minute to mega level, the Covid -19 has now become a major preoccupation for experts as well as the lay people everywhere. Coronavirus has not only jeopardized human’s health, but has even more effectively disrupted human lifeworld in a limitless fashion. Simultaneously, it is also a fact that the time interval between pandemics is shortening and the density and destructive power of each new one is increasing. This means that humanity is not threatened only by a particular virus, but it is experiencing the situation of a devastating trend of intensifying pandemics. Obviously, there have been increasing attempts, scientifically and otherwise, to find answers regarding pandemics in general and for Coronavirus in particular. There is also a consensus that Coronavirus comes from wildlife and its threat for humanity is persistent. But it seems that questions about possible ways and approaches to prevent or to resolve the riddle of pandemics requires something more than what paradigmatically dispersed and discursively confined “knowledge” of present Age can provide. This article is an attempt to encounter this phenomenon from an interdisciplinary standpoint. It is claimed here that all questions, fears, and anxieties regarding “Corona” can be answered if it is recognized that the contemporary Life/World has already been a world - in crisis due to the requirements of technicization the results of which are now fully manifested in apparently intrusive, but world- imbedded - deadly virus.With the unprecedented speed of diffusion, and with the unimagined persistence in disturbingly challenging human interaction from minute to mega level, the Covid -19 has now become a major preoccupation for experts as well as the lay people everywhere. Coronavirus has not only jeopardized human’s health, but has even more effectively disrupted human lifeworld in a limitless fashion. Simultaneously, it is also a fact that the time interval between pandemics is shortening and the density and destructive power of each new one is increasing. This means that humanity is not threatened only by a particular virus, but it is experiencing the situation of a devastating trend of intensifying pandemics. Obviously, there have been increasing attempts, scientifically and otherwise, to find answers regarding pandemics in general and for Coronavirus in particular. There is also a consensus that Coronavirus comes from wildlife and its threat for humanity is persistent. But it seems that questions about possible ways and approaches to prevent or to resolve the riddle of pandemics requires something more than what paradigmatically dispersed and discursively confined “knowledge” of present Age can provide. This article is an attempt to encounter this phenomenon from an interdisciplinary standpoint. It is claimed here that all questions, fears, and anxieties regarding “Corona” can be answered if it is recognized that the contemporary Life/World has already been a world - in crisis due to the requirements of technicization the results of which are now fully manifested in apparently intrusive, but world- imbedded - deadly virus.https://www.isih.ir/article_337_357a6fdf7642bf815a88822c447d9dc4.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320COVID-19 Crisis and Cultural Reflexivity in IranCOVID-19 Crisis and Cultural Reflexivity in Iran275333810.22035/isih.2020.3854.3982FAN.FazeliProfessor of Anthropology, Department of Social Studies, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, IranJournal Article20200420In this paper, I aim to shed light on the cultural consequences and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Iranian society. After a short introduction about the purpose and leading questions of the article, I will seek to delineate "the problematization of culture in Iran", and deal with this problem that how Iranians' collective mind, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, has become more conscious and sensitive inspiring them to question taken-for-granted cultural matters. Then I will commit myself to characterize three discourses that have addressed the probable cultural impacts of this pandemic situation on Iranian society, including the discourses of "continuity", "discontinuity", and "critical rethinking”. My approach to the current pandemic situation is in the same vein with the critical rethinking discourse. I will put forward this viewpoint that the Coronavirus crisis has given us a great opportunity to critically revisit and reconsider our ways of life and this reconsideration will be continued regardless of its objective effects on the society’s structures. My methodology approach in this article is mainly based on discourse analysis. Theoretical and conceptual analysis is a strategy to understand available discourses about the cultural effects of the Corona Virus. I will also include my personal intuitions drawn from my lived experiencesIn this paper, I aim to shed light on the cultural consequences and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Iranian society. After a short introduction about the purpose and leading questions of the article, I will seek to delineate "the problematization of culture in Iran", and deal with this problem that how Iranians' collective mind, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, has become more conscious and sensitive inspiring them to question taken-for-granted cultural matters. Then I will commit myself to characterize three discourses that have addressed the probable cultural impacts of this pandemic situation on Iranian society, including the discourses of "continuity", "discontinuity", and "critical rethinking”. My approach to the current pandemic situation is in the same vein with the critical rethinking discourse. I will put forward this viewpoint that the Coronavirus crisis has given us a great opportunity to critically revisit and reconsider our ways of life and this reconsideration will be continued regardless of its objective effects on the society’s structures. My methodology approach in this article is mainly based on discourse analysis. Theoretical and conceptual analysis is a strategy to understand available discourses about the cultural effects of the Corona Virus. I will also include my personal intuitions drawn from my lived experienceshttps://www.isih.ir/article_338_819f46e52c25763a55cc642422644317.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320Understanding the social realities and consequences of the COVID-19 crisis based on Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systemsUnderstanding the social realities and consequences of the COVID-19 crisis based on Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems559032910.22035/isih.2020.3925.4035FAM.Shafiee SeifabadiAssistant Professor of Political Sciences, Ardakan University, Yazd, Iran (Corresponding Author)A.Bagheri DolatabadiAssociate Professor of International Relations, Yasouj University, Kohgiloyeh & Boyerahmad, IranJournal Article20200420In the pandemic of COVID-19, we are facing a social crisis that affects all aspects of human life. Understanding the dimensions of this transformation requires the use of a conceptual framework or an Interdisciplinary approach. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to understand the effects and realities of the COVID-19 crisis based on Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems with using library study and descriptive-analytical method. The question is, "What aspects of human life were affected by the COVID-19 crisis and what realities does it involve? ''The hypothesis tested is that "the Coronavirus crisis can be examined at three levels: interactive, organizational, and comprehensive, and can be understood in subsystems such as law, science, religion, politics, economics, and education''. The results of the research show that changing the approach in the context of the social interaction system caused a fundamental change in people's daily interactions. In the organizational system, some organizations benefited and some suffered, and the organizational action of some institutions was dragged into the houses. The comprehensive system, which includes six sections, also experienced significant changes in the economic field, the emergence of new laws in many aspects of citizens' lives, a profound change in religious beliefs, a change in teaching methods, special attention to the experimental sciences and centralism in the political subsystem.In the pandemic of COVID-19, we are facing a social crisis that affects all aspects of human life. Understanding the dimensions of this transformation requires the use of a conceptual framework or an Interdisciplinary approach. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to understand the effects and realities of the COVID-19 crisis based on Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems with using library study and descriptive-analytical method. The question is, "What aspects of human life were affected by the COVID-19 crisis and what realities does it involve? ''The hypothesis tested is that "the Coronavirus crisis can be examined at three levels: interactive, organizational, and comprehensive, and can be understood in subsystems such as law, science, religion, politics, economics, and education''. The results of the research show that changing the approach in the context of the social interaction system caused a fundamental change in people's daily interactions. In the organizational system, some organizations benefited and some suffered, and the organizational action of some institutions was dragged into the houses. The comprehensive system, which includes six sections, also experienced significant changes in the economic field, the emergence of new laws in many aspects of citizens' lives, a profound change in religious beliefs, a change in teaching methods, special attention to the experimental sciences and centralism in the political subsystem.https://www.isih.ir/article_329_6faa8040da20ef399b63a72d0e4ab575.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320Digital culture and visual studies: Nostalgia and dreaming after COVID-19 event in IranDigital culture and visual studies: Nostalgia and dreaming after COVID-19 event in Iran9112233910.22035/isih.2020.3847.3978FAH.Taheri KiaAssistant Professor of Sociology, Institute for Social and Cultural Studies, Tehran, IranJournal Article20200426The event of the epidemic of Covid-19 had a massive shock to the borders of the order of Iranian everyday life. The emergence of death and disease from the Covid-19 put Iran in an exception state. Universities and schools were shut down and people went to lockdown. Also, the event of the epidemic of Covid-19 led to other events such as quarantine and it caused economic, mental, and family crises. The crucial event of the epidemic of Covid-19 was coincident with the traditional ceremony of Iranian New Year accompanied by shopping, traveling, and visiting families. But all of them were destroyed. By shutting down the city and the necessity of not coming together, digital geography was the most important space for retrieval of relationships and people could share their emotions of fear and anxiety and they make an emotional connection. Thus, one of the most important emotions which were shared in virtual social networks included nostalgia about the time before the epidemic of Covid-19 in Iran and dreaming the coming future. Then by applying a multidisciplinary approach through digital cultural studies and visual studies, the main object of the article is to analyze how emotions of nostalgia and dreaming of Iranian people were expressed on Instagram and Facebook. Consequently, remembering the city as a lost secure home and thinking of a vague future as dreaming indicates of getting stuck in the present time of the field of the event. The event of the epidemic of Covid-19 had a massive shock to the borders of the order of Iranian everyday life. The emergence of death and disease from the Covid-19 put Iran in an exception state. Universities and schools were shut down and people went to lockdown. Also, the event of the epidemic of Covid-19 led to other events such as quarantine and it caused economic, mental, and family crises. The crucial event of the epidemic of Covid-19 was coincident with the traditional ceremony of Iranian New Year accompanied by shopping, traveling, and visiting families. But all of them were destroyed. By shutting down the city and the necessity of not coming together, digital geography was the most important space for retrieval of relationships and people could share their emotions of fear and anxiety and they make an emotional connection. Thus, one of the most important emotions which were shared in virtual social networks included nostalgia about the time before the epidemic of Covid-19 in Iran and dreaming the coming future. Then by applying a multidisciplinary approach through digital cultural studies and visual studies, the main object of the article is to analyze how emotions of nostalgia and dreaming of Iranian people were expressed on Instagram and Facebook. Consequently, remembering the city as a lost secure home and thinking of a vague future as dreaming indicates of getting stuck in the present time of the field of the event. https://www.isih.ir/article_339_04025959b191f8f9de3f924f0940515f.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320Suspension, Fear and Reflexivity; Youth construction of Social Living by COVID-19Suspension, Fear and Reflexivity; Youth construction of Social Living by COVID-1912314334010.22035/isih.2020.3840.3975FAH.AfrasiabiAssociate professor of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, IranM.BaharluoeiPhD. Student of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, IranJournal Article20200426COVID-19 pandemic affected the world and different dimensions of individual and social life. We used an interpretative and interdisciplinary approach in order to explore emotional, interactional, economic and social layers. The participants included 43 youth users of social media that selected by purposeful sampling method. Semi structured interview conducted in order to data gathering. The interviews texts were analyzed with theoretical coding technique (open, axial and selective coding). By coding process, 7 main categories constructed including, phsycho-behavioral pressure, self-care improvement, limitation of interactions, life facilities limitation, spiritual reflexivity, media bitterness and self-review and retrieval. Finally, the suspension in fear and reflexivity emerged as core category that covered all concepts and categories. Under corona pandemic conditions, relations and skills was evaluated and revised in some cases. Youth participants, perceived this conditions as a time for being by their self and tried to change attitudes to self and the world. Coronavirus emerged like a crisis, and same as any other crisis in human life led to fundamental changes in subjectivity. Our view of the globe and globality was changed and we found that all human kind around the word is face with same risks and threats. This can improve our global awareness. COVID-19 pandemic affected the world and different dimensions of individual and social life. We used an interpretative and interdisciplinary approach in order to explore emotional, interactional, economic and social layers. The participants included 43 youth users of social media that selected by purposeful sampling method. Semi structured interview conducted in order to data gathering. The interviews texts were analyzed with theoretical coding technique (open, axial and selective coding). By coding process, 7 main categories constructed including, phsycho-behavioral pressure, self-care improvement, limitation of interactions, life facilities limitation, spiritual reflexivity, media bitterness and self-review and retrieval. Finally, the suspension in fear and reflexivity emerged as core category that covered all concepts and categories. Under corona pandemic conditions, relations and skills was evaluated and revised in some cases. Youth participants, perceived this conditions as a time for being by their self and tried to change attitudes to self and the world. Coronavirus emerged like a crisis, and same as any other crisis in human life led to fundamental changes in subjectivity. Our view of the globe and globality was changed and we found that all human kind around the word is face with same risks and threats. This can improve our global awareness. https://www.isih.ir/article_340_40008b9a5380fcacce3976bf7c08af5b.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320Intimate strangers: Afghan students lived experience in the COVID-19 crisisIntimate strangers: Afghan students lived experience in the COVID-19 crisis14517934110.22035/isih.2020.3861.3993FAS.SaidiAssistant Professor of Anthropology, Dep. Of Women Studies, Institute for Social and Cultural Studies, Tehran, IranJournal Article20200429Considering Afghan migrants’ presence in Iran as a temporary situation for over the past four decades, turned into a social problem which impact upon both migrants lived experiences and the host society. This article seeks to understand the implications of the Corona pandemic situation on the lived experience of Afghan students. The central hypothesis of this paper is that the outbreak of the Corona virus has had far-reaching effects on the educational, economic and social dimensions of migrants in general and Afghan students in particular. The most important negative effect of this social anxiety at the intersection with nationality, gender and class is enlargement of educational and gender inequalities in the daily lives of immigrants. On the other hand, the most important positive change resulting from this pandemic situation is the visibility of the presence of immigrants in the public opinion and policy arena in Iran, which to some extent has facilitated the structural integration of immigrants. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 31 Afghans with experience of higher education in Iran. Equal access to educational services provided by the school, facilitation of student accommodation regulations and amendment of the executive regulations of the Law on Entry and Residence of Foreign Nationals, automatic renewal of immigrants' identity cards, renewal of immigrants’ work permits and the approval of executive regulations related to health insurance coverage have been among the most important changes in the Iranian government's policy towards the immigrant community during the Corona crisis.Considering Afghan migrants’ presence in Iran as a temporary situation for over the past four decades, turned into a social problem which impact upon both migrants lived experiences and the host society. This article seeks to understand the implications of the Corona pandemic situation on the lived experience of Afghan students. The central hypothesis of this paper is that the outbreak of the Corona virus has had far-reaching effects on the educational, economic and social dimensions of migrants in general and Afghan students in particular. The most important negative effect of this social anxiety at the intersection with nationality, gender and class is enlargement of educational and gender inequalities in the daily lives of immigrants. On the other hand, the most important positive change resulting from this pandemic situation is the visibility of the presence of immigrants in the public opinion and policy arena in Iran, which to some extent has facilitated the structural integration of immigrants. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 31 Afghans with experience of higher education in Iran. Equal access to educational services provided by the school, facilitation of student accommodation regulations and amendment of the executive regulations of the Law on Entry and Residence of Foreign Nationals, automatic renewal of immigrants' identity cards, renewal of immigrants’ work permits and the approval of executive regulations related to health insurance coverage have been among the most important changes in the Iranian government's policy towards the immigrant community during the Corona crisis.https://www.isih.ir/article_341_3dd48ab31d016ffcbf3314df2b3cb9ce.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural StudiesInterdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities2008-464112220200320Futurology on the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on higher educationFuturology on the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on higher education18121134210.22035/isih.2020.3962.4063FAG.ZakersalehiAssociate Professor of Higher Education, Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education, Tehran, IranJournal Article20200429The purpose of this article is to investigate and explain the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on higher education. Futurology as an interdisciplinary field guides the orientation of this article. The results are presented in the form of future scenarios. The findings showed that higher education experts have already accepted the fact that the COVID-19 crisis has had impacts on higher education. Moreover, in their view, these effects are not simple and have wide and diverse dimensions. On average there was a fifty percent agreement on at least one of seven preferred scenarios mentioned above. Three major trends that are most likely to occur from the respondents' point of view are: strengthening e-learning (but not as a fundamental transformation and a complete online delivery of the content), a change in the academic lifestyle and paying more attention to sustainability. These three trends contain the most preferred scenarios.The purpose of this article is to investigate and explain the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on higher education. Futurology as an interdisciplinary field guides the orientation of this article. The results are presented in the form of future scenarios. The findings showed that higher education experts have already accepted the fact that the COVID-19 crisis has had impacts on higher education. Moreover, in their view, these effects are not simple and have wide and diverse dimensions. On average there was a fifty percent agreement on at least one of seven preferred scenarios mentioned above. Three major trends that are most likely to occur from the respondents' point of view are: strengthening e-learning (but not as a fundamental transformation and a complete online delivery of the content), a change in the academic lifestyle and paying more attention to sustainability. These three trends contain the most preferred scenarios.https://www.isih.ir/article_342_58238e9ae2dd305d79c2ebc8c1883422.pdf