Farhang Rajaee

Research Interests

• Civilization, Modernity and Globalization
• Morality and International Relations
• Modern Political Thought in Islam
• The Human Condition and Identity

Biography

Dr. Farhang Rajaee is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Humanities, specializing in political theory and non-Western traditions, particularly Modern Political Thought in Islam. He holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Tehran (1975), an MA in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma (1977), and a PhD in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia (1983).  Professor Rajaee’s past experiences include:

• Teaching and research at Faculty of International Relations, the University of Tehran, Research Professor at the Iranian Academy of Philosophy, and Associate Professor at Beheshti (National) University (1986-1996);
• Fellow at St. Antony’s College, Oxford (1990-1991);
• Research fellow at Zentrum Moderner Orient, Berlin (1996); and
• Visiting Professor at Shawnee State University, Ohio (summer 2001).

In his research, Professor Rajaee concentrates on identity and the human condition through an understanding of the political, in both Western and non-Western traditions. In his worksGlobalization on Trial (2000) and Kenneth W. Thompson, The Prophet of Norms; International Thought and Practice (2013), he has addressed these concerns as they manifest in the West and assessed the modern globalized condition of one civilization containing many cultures. In addition, Professor Rajaee conducts specialized research of various specific regions. Works such as Moshkeleye Hoviyat-e Iranian Emruz (The Problemarique of the Contemporary Iranian Identity, 2004, 2005, and 2006), Ma’rekeye Jahanbiniha (The Battle of Worldviews, 1995 and 1997) and Islamism and Modernism: the Metamorphosis of the Islamic Discourse in Iran (2007) address politics and identity among Iranian Muslims;Andisheye Siyassi Mo’asser dar Jahan Arab (Contemporary Political Thought in the Arab World, 2002) concentrates on the political thought of contemporary Arab Muslims; and his book Tahavol Andisheye Siyasi dar Sharqe Bastan (The Development of Political Ideas in the Ancient East, 1993 and 2011) considers political and international thought of ancient Mesopotamia, Persia, India, and China. Along with books, Professor Rajaee has published a number of articles in leading journals on the role of intellectuals in politics, cultural issues in globalization, and Iranian politics.

Currently, along with co-teaching the fourth year core course of the Humanities Program and in the Department of Political Science, Professor Rajaee is concentrating on two research projects: the first, tentatively titled “Performing Human; Civility and Civilization,” offers a philosophical journey into the art of performing human; the second book, “Muslim Moments of Civility: A Broad Narrative,” documents those moments when Muslims have been able to display the art of “performing Human.”