Formation and Application of the Field of Iranian studies Among Westerns and Iranians

Oriental studies are considered as a collection of studies and researches of scientists or institutes in western countries on various issues and notions about the orient. Iranian studies, as a branch of oriental studies, can be considered as a collection of regular and scientific studies that deal with various aspects of Iranian civilization, culture and history. This article deals with the formation and application of the field of Iranian studies in the west and in Iran. The main question is that how was the field of Iranian studies formed and applied in the west and in Iran?In this paper, based on descriptive and explanatory methods, the evolution of Iranian studies throughout history is examined. Then it will focus on the similarities and differences between oriental studies and Iranian studies. In addition the background of these studies is considered. So some issues such as the definition of main problems considering oriental and Iranian studies are discussed. The author is also going to define either the relations or differences between oriental and Iranian studies. Findings of the research show that it can be said that Oriental studies and Iranian studies as a branch of it was initially formed based on political and economic circumstances. Then after, and especially after the Second World War, some activists in this field criticized the previous approach and tried to study and research this branch of human knowledge in a scientific and objective way with a new approach while rejecting the colonial approach.As a result in the Orient, especially in Iran some changes in research method took place too. Although the field of Iranian studies in Iran was a new field of study but there exist different stages and schools.IranianIranologistsreacted differently towards the western Oriental and Iranian studies. Some of them praised western scholars and some of them criticized them and tried to correct them. In addition, some Iranian Iranologists have tried to strengthen and develop this field of study.They conducted new and accurate studies and they founded scientific and academic institutes for Iranian studies, so that under the influence of this scientific approach, many works in this field have been written. Now under the supervision of the Iranian Studies Foundation and with the training of experts, this field of study in Iran is progressive and growing.Despite this, Iranian studies are considered as a new field of study in Iran. Researchers in this field should continue regular and purposeful scientific activities, regardless of any biased approach, because of the importance and the necessity of the Iranian studies and its scientific achievements.