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This study explores the experiences of Iranian women who have traveled alone, examining the ways in which their narratives reflect and contribute to their sense of social justice and empowerment. Through semi-structured interviews and netnographic analysis, this study found that solo travel is a complex process that involves resisting traditional expectations and asserting autonomy. The findings highlight the significance of empowerment in achieving gender equality and women's rights and demonstrate the importance of acknowledging and amplifying women's voices to create a more inclusive and just society. The study suggests that increased economic independence, education, and career independence are crucial factors in enabling women to make their own decisions about solo travel and that social justice can be achieved by challenging traditional norms and expectations. The results also emphasize the transformative power of solo travel for personal growth and self-discovery and highlight the importance of personal autonomy and decision-making in achieving social justice.

The purpose of this study was to describe health definitions, strategies, attitudes, benefits, barriers, and suggested solutions to weight loss from· the perspective of overweight Iranian women. Of interest also was to get women's feedback on the value of focus group techniques in gathering information from this group. Participants were 18 Iranian women between the ages of 21-49 years old, who lived in the urban area of Tehran, having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. Considerations of health for the participants included, physical appearance, feelings about life, and healthy habits. Health was related to specific experiences in life which were either due to external situations or internal forces. The results displayed the influence of the daily life activities which are culturally and religiously defined. In relation to weight control practices, diet and exercise were prevalent, showing an interest in short term weight loss strategies. The importance of family and friends as positive influences to weight loss were expressed. Improving physical appearance, seen as a benefit of attaining weight loss was a recurring theme that came up in different contexts. This seems to differ from what the society tries to promote when minimizing the value of physical appearance. Other religious beliefs were strongly voiced in women's emphasis on having a strong "will power" and self-discipline as requirements to lose weight. Women overall were positive about the use of focus group discussions. These insights into women's health perceptions and attitudes toward weight loss appear to be useful when nutritionists address health and weight related issues. / Master of Science

Iran's foreign policy is shaped by three internal factors; leadership, economic policies, and human rights. These internal factors have seen profound changes as a result of two important events, the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the end of the Cold War. Despite economic policies and human rights being significant in shaping Iran's foreign relations, this study attempts to show that the leadership in the post-Cold War era has been the most influential on foreign relations. The study measures the relationship the three internal factors with Iran's foreign relations with the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The relationships are also measured against the time periods after the revolution and also after the Cold War. The thesis sheds light on the foreign relations of the Islamic Republic as a means of understanding which factor exacts the most significance.

The Internet today has become a powerful tool-that has greatly improved the lives of all peoples across the globe. Simply put, the Internet has brought us into a new century of interconnectedness unlike any other period in human history. However, in terms of politics the effects of the Internet have been rather difficult to monitor, making the recent developments in the country of Iran unique. The Islamic Republic of Iran has become increasingly hostile towards moderate reforms and has steadfastly refused to grant greater freedoms, resulting in the disillusionment of many Iranians with their government. Coupled with this rising discontent has been a meteoric rise of Internet activity. With other outlets of expression dominated by the regime, the Internet has become the sole battlefield for political discussion. This research focuses on how the Internet is being used by both the government and the opposition as a political tool in the struggle for democracy. The intent of this thesis is to analyze the effects- of the Internet through the emergence of three different Internet trends. The expansion of blogging has led to greater political discourse as it has allowed Iranians to provide their opinion in an open environment for the first time. Social networking has given Iranians the ability to meet and learn about each other in ways that would never have been originally possible Lastly, the inception of the "YouTube Effect" has brought the events'oflran worldwide. Different from a typical news piece, these Internet videos are unedited showing the gravity of the situation to outsiders. Above all, the Islamic Republic of Iran presents a unique case study for analyze of the abilities of the Internet in institutionalizing democracy.

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Problem of Archaism and Innovation in the Eastern Iranian Languages The presented dissertation aims to bring new information concerning the classification of the Eastern Iranian languages. Instead of commonly accepted two branches of Eastern Iranian (Northern and Southern) it seems that there can be classified at least five branches of Eastern Iranian languages, moreover, Avestan can form its own branch, which possibly may include also Khwārezmian. The main issue of the presented thesis was to show archaisms and innovations of the language group in focus. Such task is an issue for numerous studies so the main attention was paid to historical development of Sogdian and Yaghnōbī - two closely related Eastern Iranian languages. Linguistic proximity of Sogdian and Yaghnōbī has been observed shortly after discoveries of the first Sogdian documents in Chinese Turkestan on the beginning of the 20 th century, for a long time it has been supposed that Yaghnōbī is a modern descendent of Sogdian. By analysis of phonology, grammar and vocabulary of both languages I tried to find clues that may answer this question. From diachronic view there is no much difference between Sogdian and Yaghnōbī, individual changes may be interpreted as "dialectal", but there is one phenomenon that influenced different...