درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

While the use of apps specifically designed for language learning has witnessed a surge over the past decade, research on the productivity of these apps for language learning purposes along with their essential design and content features from students’ lens remains scant. The present paper illustrates an attempt to explore the way using language learning apps throughout an academic semester develops university level students’ semi-technical English language knowledge and the features and qualities they find essential in these educational apps. Drawing on empirical data obtained from pre- and post-tests and App Feature Interview form, it was observed that students who used language learning apps had a significantly better performance in a semi-technical English language post-test compared to the students who did not use language learning apps of their choice. Following content analysis, participants’ responses to an interview question were explored to determine the qualities they found crucial for language learning apps. Students highlighted 18 qualities, which were categorized under three main themes: smartphone, pedagogical content, and design features, as required for effective language learning apps. The findings of this study provide insights for educational app designers and educators on what works better in these apps from users’ perspective.

In early Islam, developed various theories around the nature of the created civilization, some of which run counter to each other. Denying Islam’s potential for culture, Arabic civilization, eclectic civilization, Muslims’ civilization, and Islamic civilization are the most significant theories advanced about this issue. Yet, the main question is which theory of Islam’s civilization history is authentic enough to be validated. The current research has adopted a historical-analytical method and employed library resources and interviews to collect data. Analyzing and criticizing the theories described above showed that none of these theories deserves an all-out acceptance in the levels of substantiation or historical evolution. This research has finally submitted proofs on the validity of the "Islamic Civilization" theory in the story of demonstration (realization) and the new idea of "Islam’s Civilization" at the level of substantiation. This study attempts to shed light on historical reality and explain the theory consistent with it to prevent elites’ destructive predilection and strategic failures. Considering that the Islamic Republic of Iran has planned toward fulfilling new Islamic civilization, the current study recognized the necessity for exploiting this subject. The innovation of this writing resides in proposing and confirming the theory of "Islam’s Civilization" through substantiation based on historical data and evaluation of existing ideas in terms of weaknesses and strengths.

In Sistan, with an area of 8117 square meters, some 1660 archaeological sites have been explored during two phases of field surveys. The National Geographical Organization of the Armed Forces of Iran has divided Sistan into 22 geographical districts. The south of Qale Rustam Domain with an area of 295 square meters was the aim of second phase of investigation that could discover 280 archaeological sites. Most of them belong to Bronze Age. The site number 152 in the South of Qale Rustam Domain, which is located near the Iran-Afghanistan border with an area of 27000 square meters, was formed simultaneously with Shahr-e Sokhta. During the investigation, two stone objects resembling handbags, as well as a plenty of potsherds were found. The potsherds found at the surface level, both simple and designed are of the types found in phases 5-8 of Shahr-e Sokhta, which date back to the first half of the third millennium B.C. The specific function of these bags is still unclear, but seems to be weights or scale. However, based on chronological studies, these bags, like the other cultural proofs found around them especially pottery, can be attributed to the first half of the third millennium B.C.

The India-Pakistan conflict is one of the longest disputes in the Indian subcontinent, dating back to 1948. During this period, the dispute between the two countries has many times been to the brink of a war, and has led to it four times. The deterioration of the conflict required that several meas-ures be taken at various levels of diplomacy to resolve it. Simultaneously with the activities in the field of official diplomacy, and even at the time of the severance of official relations between the two countries, Track two activities have been running between the elites along the borders. The article will briefly review the most important activities of Track Two Diplomacy to resolve this dispute, one of the most important of which is the activities of the Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy. This activity was successful to show a different dimension of the con-flict to public and elites along the borders, however, was not able to manifest long lasting peace. The most important achievement to be counted for PIPFPD is reducing the tensions, especially at the time of diplomatic deadlocks. The article answers to the question of why PIPFPD has failed to achieve some of its defined goals after nearly 25 years’ activity? Describing various aspects of the conflict, besides limitations PIPDPD has been faced, the article concludes that complexity of the dispute caused by the multiplicity of actors and interest which is affected by regional and interna-tional issues won’t let the conflict ripen. Sinceactors involved in the conflict don’t come to this logic that consensus over resolving dispute is more beneficial than continuing it.