Iranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221The dual-spacization and representation of national identity on InstagramThe dual-spacization and representation of national identity on Instagram53053210.22035/jicr.2024.3367.3632FAS.RAmeliProfessor of Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, IranS.NazemiPhD Candidate, Iranian Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Iran0009-0001-7827-1818Sh.SabbarAssistant Professor of Iranian Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Iran0000-0001-5801-7137Journal Article20240914The communication and information revolution has created a new space of human existence that lies outside the old concept of time and space i.e. free of borders and is rapidly changing our world. The second space, that is, virtual is constantly developing and expanding, conceptualizing, producing and disseminating content, and intertwining itself with the natural world. This article combines the dual spacization and representation theories to identify how national identity, as the highest and most significant, is represented in the virtual space. By adopting the critical discourse analysis method alongside grounded theory, our examination of Instagram posts identifies a confrontation between Iranian and Islamic identities and a need for greater convergence and interaction between these two identities to achieve a moderate, balanced identity that fosters national cohesion and harmony. Targeted strategies and policies pursued by political and other relevant institutions, in particular micro and macro planning of the use of virtual space, will bring Iranian and Islamic identities closer together, offering an Iranian-Islamic identity that more effectively represents Iran's culture and civilization.The communication and information revolution has created a new space of human existence that lies outside the old concept of time and space i.e. free of borders and is rapidly changing our world. The second space, that is, virtual is constantly developing and expanding, conceptualizing, producing and disseminating content, and intertwining itself with the natural world. This article combines the dual spacization and representation theories to identify how national identity, as the highest and most significant, is represented in the virtual space. By adopting the critical discourse analysis method alongside grounded theory, our examination of Instagram posts identifies a confrontation between Iranian and Islamic identities and a need for greater convergence and interaction between these two identities to achieve a moderate, balanced identity that fosters national cohesion and harmony. Targeted strategies and policies pursued by political and other relevant institutions, in particular micro and macro planning of the use of virtual space, will bring Iranian and Islamic identities closer together, offering an Iranian-Islamic identity that more effectively represents Iran's culture and civilization.http://www.jicr.ir/article_532_298f95e1bf9136124592c8d4825a06fc.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221The culture of women's fandom in Iranian football; motivations, styles, and challengesThe culture of women's fandom in Iranian football; motivations, styles, and challenges316052710.22035/jicr.2024.3308.3587FAZahraSabbaghiMaster's in Cultural Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.0009-0005-6084-8446Mohammad SaeedZokaeiFull Professor in Cultural Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.0000-0001-7134-0801Journal Article20240305Women's football fandom is an overlooked topic in social science researches as women are typically ignored in sociological studies on football. The general public perception is that women are not genuine or authentic supporters of this sport, which is often considered a male-dominated and male-owned. The challenges for Iranian female football fans are even more pronounced due to their exclusion from the public discourse surrounding the football fandom. They lack a dedicated space for independent action and face restrictions on entering stadiums. For years, Iranian female fans have employed various forms of action and resistance to be more than silent and invisible supporters. This article relies on a thematic analysis of qualitative data from thirty interviews with Iranian female football fans to identify the motivations behind their entry into the football arena. It also examines how they express their fandom and challenges in this process. The findings reveal that women's exclusion from stadiums drives them to alternative methods of displaying their fandom. Throughout this journey, Iranian female football fans encounter numerous gendered and discriminatory stereotypes that manifest differently at various stages.Women's football fandom is an overlooked topic in social science researches as women are typically ignored in sociological studies on football. The general public perception is that women are not genuine or authentic supporters of this sport, which is often considered a male-dominated and male-owned. The challenges for Iranian female football fans are even more pronounced due to their exclusion from the public discourse surrounding the football fandom. They lack a dedicated space for independent action and face restrictions on entering stadiums. For years, Iranian female fans have employed various forms of action and resistance to be more than silent and invisible supporters. This article relies on a thematic analysis of qualitative data from thirty interviews with Iranian female football fans to identify the motivations behind their entry into the football arena. It also examines how they express their fandom and challenges in this process. The findings reveal that women's exclusion from stadiums drives them to alternative methods of displaying their fandom. Throughout this journey, Iranian female football fans encounter numerous gendered and discriminatory stereotypes that manifest differently at various stages.http://www.jicr.ir/article_527_13f320e7b5ead1024ac95c3b208610db.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221Viewpoints of experts about the mentality of Iranian society towards recreational spaces: Applying the theoretical model of Oldenburg's third placeViewpoints of experts about the mentality of Iranian society towards recreational spaces: Applying the theoretical model of Oldenburg's third place619453310.22035/jicr.2024.3332.3604FAE.MirzaeiAssistant Professor, Department of Cooperation and Social Welfare, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran0009-0002-0678-0485Journal Article20240515The present study aims to review the opinions of experts on the Iranian society's mentality towards recreational spaces. This is a qualitative research based on contextual theorizing, for which, 17 professors and experts in the field pf social sciences (cooperative trends and social welfare, social planning and cultural policymaking) from Tehran, Allameh Tabatabai and Kharazmi universities were interviewed and the data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. The findings indicated the existence of two central propositions about the government's welfare schemes in recreational spaces: 1) Entertainment spaces are not neutral, level, accessible and simple. 2) Iranian society wants entertainment spaces that either uncontrollable or less controllable by the government. Also, the results showed that recreational spaces can change from the environmental to entertainment purpose and shape good liesure times to the subjects that require important criticisms of values and norms from civil disobedience and misbehavior. Therefore, it is suggested to adopt strategies such as creating purposeful entertainment in public spaces, investing and taking care of spaces related to people and increasing its quality, reproducing meaning in the official media as the most accessible entertainment spaces, increasing festivals and religious carnivals, making them accessible to everyone, such as with connecting streets, and creating a platform for the needy sections of the society. With these, it is possible to strengthen the recreational spaces in the Iranian society and prevent them from becoming models of disobedience or civil disobedience.The present study aims to review the opinions of experts on the Iranian society's mentality towards recreational spaces. This is a qualitative research based on contextual theorizing, for which, 17 professors and experts in the field pf social sciences (cooperative trends and social welfare, social planning and cultural policymaking) from Tehran, Allameh Tabatabai and Kharazmi universities were interviewed and the data were analyzed using MAXQDA software. The findings indicated the existence of two central propositions about the government's welfare schemes in recreational spaces: 1) Entertainment spaces are not neutral, level, accessible and simple. 2) Iranian society wants entertainment spaces that either uncontrollable or less controllable by the government. Also, the results showed that recreational spaces can change from the environmental to entertainment purpose and shape good liesure times to the subjects that require important criticisms of values and norms from civil disobedience and misbehavior. Therefore, it is suggested to adopt strategies such as creating purposeful entertainment in public spaces, investing and taking care of spaces related to people and increasing its quality, reproducing meaning in the official media as the most accessible entertainment spaces, increasing festivals and religious carnivals, making them accessible to everyone, such as with connecting streets, and creating a platform for the needy sections of the society. With these, it is possible to strengthen the recreational spaces in the Iranian society and prevent them from becoming models of disobedience or civil disobedience.http://www.jicr.ir/article_533_df877f3865752637daa540ea9cbc474f.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221Young women’s experiences of spending leisure time in the context of Instagram challengesYoung women’s experiences of spending leisure time in the context of Instagram challenges9512452810.22035/jicr.20243299.3579FAF.MohammadiAssistant Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, IranK.DarzinejadMA Student of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran0009-0004-9132-5237Journal Article20240204Undoubtedly, Instagram significantly impacts people's everyday life in the social, cultural, economic, and political arenas. One of the handset applications become common among young Iranians, especially girls, during their free time is Instagram. In recent years, this app has evolved from a domain of recreation to, in many cases, a career field for youth. In the meantime, one of the most well-liked Instagram activities is what is known as an Instagram challenge. In general, "challenge" refers to videos shared widely, especially by bloggers. This study examines twenty young female bloggers between the age group of 18 and 30. Thematic analysis, a semi-structured interviewing tool, and coding for data analysis were used in this study's qualitative methodology. To better analyze the behavior of these young women, Robert Stebbins' theory of transforming informal leisure time into formal one has been used. The three main categories of the paradoxical situation of leisure/career, the centrality of Instagram in facilitating the possibility of challenge, and the creation of financial channels in the context of Instagram rituals were extracted from the interviews. In general, these users talked about the goals and methods of setting challenges, the conditions of creating these challenges, and how they turned casual leisure into serious leisure by paying for classes to increase their audience on Instagram and not be discouraged despite failures and the efforts they made.Undoubtedly, Instagram significantly impacts people's everyday life in the social, cultural, economic, and political arenas. One of the handset applications become common among young Iranians, especially girls, during their free time is Instagram. In recent years, this app has evolved from a domain of recreation to, in many cases, a career field for youth. In the meantime, one of the most well-liked Instagram activities is what is known as an Instagram challenge. In general, "challenge" refers to videos shared widely, especially by bloggers. This study examines twenty young female bloggers between the age group of 18 and 30. Thematic analysis, a semi-structured interviewing tool, and coding for data analysis were used in this study's qualitative methodology. To better analyze the behavior of these young women, Robert Stebbins' theory of transforming informal leisure time into formal one has been used. The three main categories of the paradoxical situation of leisure/career, the centrality of Instagram in facilitating the possibility of challenge, and the creation of financial channels in the context of Instagram rituals were extracted from the interviews. In general, these users talked about the goals and methods of setting challenges, the conditions of creating these challenges, and how they turned casual leisure into serious leisure by paying for classes to increase their audience on Instagram and not be discouraged despite failures and the efforts they made.http://www.jicr.ir/article_528_f4be00279ee2e0a53eafdaa94a151e2c.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221The conflict between idealism and realism in the cinema of Mohammad Hossein Mahdavian; The analysis of three films “Lottery”, “Rad-e-Khoon”, and “Majaraye Nimrooz”The conflict between idealism and realism in the cinema of Mohammad Hossein Mahdavian; The analysis of three films “Lottery”, “Rad-e-Khoon”, and “Majaraye Nimrooz”12515552910.22035/jicr.2024.3262.3548FAM.ZaeimzadeMA student in Culture and Media Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran0009-0002-0894-0120P.AminiAssistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Islamic Revolution Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran0009-0008-6922-4914Journal Article20231202The intricate dynamic between idealism and realism, coupled with the challenges of regulating their interrelation, plays a major role in forming social structures and community life. Post-revolutionary systems, having successfully redefined prevailing conditions through the proposition of an idealized state, confront the difficult challenge of defining new paradigms that are consistent with this ideal. Cinema, as a social institution, by means of its narrative language can address profound social dilemmas and actively participate in the representation and organization of conflicts inherent in collective existence, most notably the ideological discord between idealism and realism.Several generations of Iranian filmmakers in the post-Islamic revolution cinema through the perspective of their ideology have concentrated on this issue and provided various interpretations of the dynamic tension between idealistic ambitions and pragmatic reality. In this study, three feature films, “Lottery”, “Majaraye Nimirroz [Midday Adventures]”, and “Rad-e Khoon [Trace of Blood]” by Mohammad Hossein Mahdavian, one of the young directors of Iran who have explored this conflict, are examined through an analytical lens influenced by John Fiske methodology. The findings reveal that in these films idealism manifests itself in conscientiousness, Jihad, and principlism, while realism is represented in concepts such as pragmatism, pacifism, and tolerance. Although the filmmaker seems to favor pragmatic ideas, he perceives both idealism and realism as fundamentally deficient in isolation.The intricate dynamic between idealism and realism, coupled with the challenges of regulating their interrelation, plays a major role in forming social structures and community life. Post-revolutionary systems, having successfully redefined prevailing conditions through the proposition of an idealized state, confront the difficult challenge of defining new paradigms that are consistent with this ideal. Cinema, as a social institution, by means of its narrative language can address profound social dilemmas and actively participate in the representation and organization of conflicts inherent in collective existence, most notably the ideological discord between idealism and realism.Several generations of Iranian filmmakers in the post-Islamic revolution cinema through the perspective of their ideology have concentrated on this issue and provided various interpretations of the dynamic tension between idealistic ambitions and pragmatic reality. In this study, three feature films, “Lottery”, “Majaraye Nimirroz [Midday Adventures]”, and “Rad-e Khoon [Trace of Blood]” by Mohammad Hossein Mahdavian, one of the young directors of Iran who have explored this conflict, are examined through an analytical lens influenced by John Fiske methodology. The findings reveal that in these films idealism manifests itself in conscientiousness, Jihad, and principlism, while realism is represented in concepts such as pragmatism, pacifism, and tolerance. Although the filmmaker seems to favor pragmatic ideas, he perceives both idealism and realism as fundamentally deficient in isolation.http://www.jicr.ir/article_529_37f0e884fbad9667e38940169d0a3c95.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221Superhero's house in cinema: Analyzing the concept of home within the Marvel and DC cinematic universes from 2008 to 2023Superhero's house in cinema: Analyzing the concept of home within the Marvel and DC cinematic universes from 2008 to 202315719049610.22035/jicr.2024.3185.3488FAK.HedayatiPhD Candidate in Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran0009-0000-3184-2233A.AsgariAssistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-5726-7051Journal Article20240123The medium of cinema, as a potent and influential art, consistently endeavors to present a more authentic representation of the narrative by intricately interweaving elements such as plot, characters, and scenes. This endeavor extends to the deliberate incorporation of explicit and implicit symbolism within the design and architecture of urban landscape. This research seeks to address: How does the description and placement of a location as a backdrop for narrative relate to the character development and thematic content in Marvel and DC cinematic productions? Specifically, this study aims to assess the alignment between prevalent architectural signifiers associated with superheroes and the thematic characterizations found in Marvel and DC films. This investigation aspires to decipher the underlying meanings and metaphors inherent in the concepts underpinning the design of residences and urban landscapes inhabited by superheroes. Production designers within the Marvel and DC film franchises deliberately craft diverse urban settings, with each showing emblematic of concepts such as gentrification and the physical and mental prowess of respective superheroes, often manifesting through variations in architectural styles, encompassing classical, high-tech, and bionic aesthetics. Notably, this architectural characteristic evolves in response to the narrative's temporal dimensions. Nevertheless, there remains a consistent thread of "mysterious architecture concealing hidden spaces and connections" and "precisely articulated juxtapositions beneath an ostensibly simplistic facade" recurring across the diverse residences featured in these cinematic worlds.The medium of cinema, as a potent and influential art, consistently endeavors to present a more authentic representation of the narrative by intricately interweaving elements such as plot, characters, and scenes. This endeavor extends to the deliberate incorporation of explicit and implicit symbolism within the design and architecture of urban landscape. This research seeks to address: How does the description and placement of a location as a backdrop for narrative relate to the character development and thematic content in Marvel and DC cinematic productions? Specifically, this study aims to assess the alignment between prevalent architectural signifiers associated with superheroes and the thematic characterizations found in Marvel and DC films. This investigation aspires to decipher the underlying meanings and metaphors inherent in the concepts underpinning the design of residences and urban landscapes inhabited by superheroes. Production designers within the Marvel and DC film franchises deliberately craft diverse urban settings, with each showing emblematic of concepts such as gentrification and the physical and mental prowess of respective superheroes, often manifesting through variations in architectural styles, encompassing classical, high-tech, and bionic aesthetics. Notably, this architectural characteristic evolves in response to the narrative's temporal dimensions. Nevertheless, there remains a consistent thread of "mysterious architecture concealing hidden spaces and connections" and "precisely articulated juxtapositions beneath an ostensibly simplistic facade" recurring across the diverse residences featured in these cinematic worlds.http://www.jicr.ir/article_496_b534ba68236ba543ae44b22bd110a1d6.pdfIranian Institute for Social & Cultural ResearchJournal of Iranian Cultural Research2008-184717420241221University of Tehran; Teymourtash or Foroughi? On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its establishmentUniversity of Tehran; Teymourtash or Foroughi? On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its establishment19122254310.22035/jicr.2025.3217.3692FARezaMahooziProfessor of Philosophy, Research Institute for Cultural, Social, and Civilizational Studies, Tehran, IranJournal Article20250221University of Tehran, the first and largest institution of modern higher education in Iran, has been the subject of numerous analyses and descriptions. Many of these analyses have focused on the why and how of its establishment. Many individuals have insisted on having a role in the story of University of Tehran's birth. However, the emergence of such an important institution cannot be reduced to individual concerns and efforts. In light of this, the present paper discusses the why and how of the establishment of University of Tehran in the context of two discourses: "progress" and "Iranian modernity," represented by Abdolhossein Teymourtash and Mohammad Ali Foroughi. This paper, with a historical and analytical approach, re-examines the statements, actions, and events of the first decade of the Pahlavi government, particularly concerning the development of higher education (higher education) to show why the discourse of progress, which focused on the creation of a small and limited Dar al-Fonun, ultimately gave way to the discourse of Iranian modernity, which envisioned the creation of a large university with multiple branches; a discourse that served as the basis for the establishment of University of Tehran, which later contributed to the content of this discourse.University of Tehran, the first and largest institution of modern higher education in Iran, has been the subject of numerous analyses and descriptions. Many of these analyses have focused on the why and how of its establishment. Many individuals have insisted on having a role in the story of University of Tehran's birth. However, the emergence of such an important institution cannot be reduced to individual concerns and efforts. In light of this, the present paper discusses the why and how of the establishment of University of Tehran in the context of two discourses: "progress" and "Iranian modernity," represented by Abdolhossein Teymourtash and Mohammad Ali Foroughi. This paper, with a historical and analytical approach, re-examines the statements, actions, and events of the first decade of the Pahlavi government, particularly concerning the development of higher education (higher education) to show why the discourse of progress, which focused on the creation of a small and limited Dar al-Fonun, ultimately gave way to the discourse of Iranian modernity, which envisioned the creation of a large university with multiple branches; a discourse that served as the basis for the establishment of University of Tehran, which later contributed to the content of this discourse.http://www.jicr.ir/article_543_81448138f5f163ccdba4acc69819f280.pdf