The Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture at University of California, Irvine cordially invites you to the first international scholarly gathering devoted to the history and the cultural legacy of the American/Alborz College.  Founded in 1899 by Dr. Jordan as part of a missionary enterprise, the College became the training ground for generations of Iranian intellectuals, scientists, and men of letters.  Honoring this founding vision and rich legacy, Dr. Modjtahedi, Jordan's successor, ensured the continued success of the College under his leadership. 

Bringing together scholars from across the globe, the conference will explore the history and impact of the American/Alborz College and situate it within Iranian cultural history. 

The conference is jointly convened by Homa Katouzian (University of Oxford) and Nasrin Rahimieh, Maseeh Chair and Director of the Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture at UCI.

No registration is required and attendance is free. 

Saturday, October 10, 2009

9: 30 am-5:30 pm

Crystal Cove Auditorium

University of California, Irvine

Sponsored by Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture 

PROGRAM 

9:30:-10:20 am

Welcome and Introductions

Conference Co-Organizers:

Homa Katouzian, St Antony's College, University of Oxford

Nasrin Rahimieh, Maseeh Chair and Director of Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture

Touraj Daryaee, Howard C. Baskerville Professor in the History of Iran and the Persianate World & Wm. Scott Harrop, University of Virginia

In Memory of Howard Baskerville

10:20 -10:30 am

Opening Address 

Fariborz Maseeh, Founding Benefactor of Samuel Jordan Center, Venture Philanthropist

10:30 am-12:30 pm

The Formative Years:  The American College of Tehran

Chair: Homa Katouzian

Thomas M.  Ricks, Independent Scholar

Presbyterian Mission Education and Centers of Modernism: The Case of Alborz (American) College of Tehran

John Lorentz, Shawnee State University

Educational Development in Iran: The Pivotal Role of the Mission Schools and Alborz College

Michael Zirinsky, Boise State University

Inculcate Iran: Opening a Dialog of Civilizations in the Shadow of God and the Alborz

Ali Gheissari, University of San Diego

The American College of Tehran, 1929-1931: A Memorial Album

12:30-2:00 Lunch Break

2:00-3:30 pm

The Transformative Years:  The Alborz High School

Chair: Touraj Daryaee

Kamran Safamanesh, Independent Scholar, Iran

A History of the Alborz High School and Its Architectural Development

Houchang Chehabi, Boston University

Diversity at Alborz

Farzin Vahdat, Vassar College

Alborz High School and the Process of Rationalization in Iran

3:30-4:00 pm

Break

4:00-5:30 pm

The Educational Legacy of Alborz

Chair: Nasrin Rahimieh

Homa Katouzian, St. Antony's College, University of Oxford

Alborz and Its teachers

Bahram Bayani, Independent Scholar, Iran

Mohammed-Ali Modjtahedi: Life and Work

Mehdi S. Zarghamee, Senior Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

Modjtahedi and the Founding of Arya-Mehr University of Technology

Visitor parking is available at the Student Center Parking Structure for $8 for the day.   For driving directions to UCI, please consult.

The Student Parking Structure can be accessed by turning from West Peltason into Pereira.  The parking structure is directly across from the Student Center.  The Crystal Cove Auditorium can be reached through the main doors of the Student Center at the top of the flight of stairs.  For further information about the location of the parking structure and the auditorium, please consult.

For more information, please visit the event's web page

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