Teaching

Postgraduate Supervision

Ali Salari - Intellectual Capital and Democratization in Iran (PhD Thesis)

Great Empires of Islamic Civilization (2nd year)
Course Convenor, Lecturer and Tutor, 2009

This subject is run by Griffith University , the University of Western Sydney and the University of Melbourne as part of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, Australia. It is designed to equip students with a detailed understanding and historical overview of the great empires of Islamic civilization. It covers:

- The Foundation and early spread of Islam
- The Rashidun Period
- The Umayyad Caliphate
- The Umayyad Caliphate in Cordoba
- The Abbasid Caliphate
- The Ottoman Empire

Islam, Media and Conflict (1st year)
Lecturer , 2008

This subject is run by Griffith University , the University of Western Sydney and the University of Melbourne as part of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, Australia. It is designed to equip students with a detailed understanding of the relationships between Islam and the West and to relate this to contemporary media practices.

- Historical Encounters: Islam and the West
- Islam in Western Thought (Orientalism)
- Representation of islam and Muslims
- Reporting War and Conflict
- Media in the Muslim world

Islam and the Making of Europe (1st year)
Lecturer , 2009

This subject is run by Griffith University , the University of Western Sydney and the University of Melbourne as part of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, Australia. It is designed to equip students with a detailed understanding of the historical relationships between Islam and Europe and the seminal role that the former played in the development of the latter. Ben Isakhan gives lectures on the topics:

- Islam in Europe: First Encounters
- Islamic Presence and European Responses: Reconquista and Crusades
- The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe

Understanding Islam (1st year)
Lecturer , 2009

This subject is run by Griffith University , the University of Western Sydney and the University of Melbourne as part of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, Australia. It is designed to equip students with a detailed understanding of the Islam, including details of the anthropology and the sociology of Islam and Middle Eastern societies. Ben Isakhan gives lectures on the topics:

- Islam and Gender Studies
- Islam and Anthropology
- Orientalism and Islam

Culture, Media and Society (2nd year and Masters)
Course Convenor, Lecturer and Tutor, 2005-2008

This subject examines the relationship between culture, media and society through the consideration of a number of sites and instances of cultural/media production. Specifically, it stresses the ideological role of the media and critiques its ability to disseminate various discourses which, in turn, influence the wider culture and society. To do this, the subject covers a number of key areas including:

- Critical Theory: From Marx to Derrida
- Manufacturing Consent and the Propaganda Model
- Branding culture and alternative media practices
- Orientalism and Constructing the Middle Eastern ‘Other’
- Postmodern texts and landscapes: Reality TV and Theme Parks

Popular Music and Cultural Theory (Honors)
Lecturer and Tutor, 2008

This subject is run by Griffith University's Conservatorium of Music and aims to provide an introduction to the major theories and methods oc cultural studies and related disciplines as they pertain to popular music. It is designed to equip students with the theoretical frameworks necessary for the development of their Honours dissertation. Benjamin Isakhan teaches the following units:

- Ideology, Hegemony, Discourse and Popular Music
- Orientalism and World Music
- Post-Colonialism and African Rhythms
- Poplar Music and Popular Identities

Communications Practise (1st year)    
Tutor, 2006-2007

This course serves as an introduction to the world of communication. The tutorials involve two separate units: the public speaking module and the TV studio module. The lectures and content of the course involve an introduction to the basics of communication / media theory. To do this, the subject covers a number of key areas including:

- Practical skills workshops
- Public speaking and TV studio exercises
- Basic communication / media studies theory
- An emphasis on the media industry and its myriad sites and genres

Mass Media: Issues and Controversies (1st year)        
Tutor, 2005

This course serves as an introduction to the production and consumption of the mass media. Firstly, it surveys the various forms and sites of the contemporary mass media – from the newspaper to the mobile phone. Beyond this it raises various issues and questions relating to the power of the mass media as a ‘gate keeper’, its ability to create ‘moral panic’ or engender stereotypes via propaganda etc. To do this, the subject covers a number of key areas including:

- The media and communications in Australia today
- News and Politics
- Media analysis techniques
- Deviancy amplification and moral panic

New Communications Technologies (1st year)
Tutor, 2005

This subject traces the ways in which humankind has thought about communication from the time of the Ancient Greeks. It moves from the classical era right through to investigate new information and communication technologies, their role in today’s society and the wide ranging debates surrounding the emergence of ‘new media’. This subject includes:

- The Birth of the Computer/ The History of the Internet
- Virtual Reality, Virtual Philosophy and the Screen Age
- Cyber-democracy and the Digital Divide
- Mythology and Technology, Nomads and Cities
- The Pearly Gates of Cyberspace – Utopia, Dystopia, Technotopia

Cultural Perspectives I & II (1st year)
Tutor, 1999

Cultural Perspectives I & II are introductory Cultural Studies subjects, designed to lay the foundations of critical theory and analysis that students need for further study. It moves through the whole gamut of cultural theory, providing the tools for students to ‘deconstruct’ the discourses that are embedded in much of the world around them and that have therefore influenced their own ideological journey. This subject covered areas such as:

- Marxist theory/ Psychoanalytic Theory
- Semiotics/ Literary Theory
- Post-colonialism/ Post-structuralism
- Modernism/ Postmodernism
- Feminism and Gender Theory

Student Feedback:

Culture, Media and Society, 2005-2008:

• “I really enjoyed your course, I honestly learned more in this course than in any other course I have ever taken, not just about Culture, Media andSociety and Australia, but about my own country as well. Awesome course and awesome professor.”

•  “The lectures were interesting – interesting and important and relevant throughout the semester. Tutorials were comfortable and free expression of opinion was appreciated and encouraged. This is an excellent course. There are many things I learned and the teaching of it was excellent too. Very clear, all relevant and help is offered with understanding. It is also good because it is challenging, and a sense of its importance is conveyed by the teacher.”

• “The presentation of the lectures where excellent, with the PowerPoint summarising the content followed by a simplified explanation of the topic by Ben. Hands-on activities in the tutes turned the issues into real life useable topics.”

• “In class discussion was fantastic, there was a range of ideas and everyone could have a say. Because of the various backgrounds and cultures within our class, it enabled more engagement with the text and each other.”

• “Bens communication skills were excellent, he was easy to understand and humorous. Always creates interest in topics.”

• “The way in which the lectures and tutes were conducted were good because of Ben’s enthusiasm and the way he informed us about the different topics. Was very interesting and imaginative.”

• “Best course at uni. Content, topics were so interesting and relevant. Not only theories to take with me for the rest of my degree, but theories to take and build upon for life.”

• “I think Ben is a great tutor and convenor. He has a great teaching method which is unobtrusive and makes it interesting; It was a pleasure to be in this course.”

• “Great course, the university benefits from great lecturers like Ben.”

• “Fabulous lectures very well prepared and structured with a lot of examples. Excellent supportive materials (slides, links, presentations from peers). Also, tutorials were very good and interesting…I think you are an excellent teacher, Ben. I really enjoyed the class.”

New Communications Technologies, 2005:

• “Ben Isakhan is a new breed of teacher. He is young, cool, dedicated. Even when he gets old, his dedication and unyielding effort to teach students will only increase. He doesn’t give up on kids.”

• “Ben is very organised and easy to understand. His laid back and approachable manner make the class feel as if they can speak their minds, ask questions etc. Ben also goes out of his way to give help when needed.”

• “Ben is always willing to help. I was very impressed with Ben’s teaching method, it was open and encouraged learning, which in turn prompted me to want to come and enjoy the tutorials.”

Mass Media: Issues and Controversies, 2005:

• “Ben asks thought provoking questions and encourages us to think carefully about an issue and formulate our own opinions. He doesn’t immediately spoon feed us an answer – but provides guidance for us to come to the correct answer on our own.”

• “While my other tutors seem to be rather blasé and disinterested in the content and the students, you’ve engaged us by being engaged in your job and us and our opinions.”

• “I like it how Ben creates a friendly classroom environment and makes everyone feel comfortable. I also like it how, when it comes to class activities, Ben puts class members into groups – makes it easier for the shy ones.”

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