Department of Social Studies

The main focus of the Department of Social Studies is to emphasize sociological challenges in women’s issues. After Iran’s Islamic revolution of 1979, and particularly over the last few years, Iranian society is experiencing rapid social changes which leave their impact on women’s lives.
Increased levels of education, as well as increased cultural, political and social participation are among these developments. Therefore, identification of the new social process in women’s lives is of great importance.
Identifying social obstacles hindering the advancement of women’s empowerment and their social movements requires a comprehensive study about the impacts of the new developments on the family structure. The new developments include women’s extended role in the family, their increased level of education, particularly higher education, their employment and participation in civil society and social management as well as damages inflicted on them by the rapid urbanization process, social inequalities and different gender-based obstacles.
Institutionalizing women’s success and advancement in society requires stability in their legal status. It is proven that modification of the legal system in a bid to advance women’s legal status should first be gradual, secondly should keep pace with social developments and thirdly, should include socio-cultural characteristics of Iranian society.
Identifying opportunities as well as threats faced by Iranian women and girls, collaborating for the promotion of women empowerment, challenging the obstacles and making use of the opportunities through research, education and cooperation with civil and academic institutions and governmental organizations at the national and international level are among the other priorities of the Department of Social Studies.
The main research areas of the Social Studies Department are as follows:
1.  Family studies
2.  A gender-sensitive employment approach
3.  Gender discrimination in education
4.  Upgrading women’s social status (interdisciplinary studies)
5.  Socialization and cultural products
6.  Public culture and social functions
7.  Girls’ vocational skills
8.  Family health
9.  Women’s performance, awareness and attitudes towards their rights and implementing an effective involvement system
10.  The legal and social status of women in the family and household
11.  Legal customs relating to women in different social classes
12.  The status of women in Iran’s criminal law