Students will read The Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Serajii, a coming-of-age novel set in revolutionary Iran. As an extension of the novel study, they will research the historical setting and seek to connect what they learn with their reading and their understandings of Iran today, and the legacy of the revolution.
The novel is one of the titles read in tenth grade World Lit, and it provides an accessible path to a new perspective on Iranian culture and politics. Narrated by an Iranian teenager, the story gives a personal account of a community in the midst of political upheaval, while also being very relatable to modern American students.
Research-based mini-projects will identify key cultural and political elements of the 1979 revolution and its effects on the citizens of Iran. Students will gather and present their findings and discuss the topic in a seminar setting.