Archiving War: Iran-Iraq War and the Construction of "Muslim" Women

The Iranian state's archiving of the ideological constructions of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-88 have been prolific. This was was the longest military conflict of the 20th century, and an important stepping ground in the formation of Iran's theocratic state, which had assumed power less than two years before the war: the Islamization of the old monarchical state was anchored in the war effort. Women were assigned a special role in the war during which the idea and model of "Muslim woman" was constructed and propagated. These constructions have taken the shape of popular culture, film and theater, literature, as well as sights and events of commemoration. By locating these productions within the framework of the nation building project of cultural nationalism, this thesis aims to provide an analysis of this body of state memorialization of the Iran-Iraq War through the lens of the experiences of Iranian women. As well this research aims to add to the field of critical adult education through an analysis of the topic of women, war, and learning.M.A