Dates:
May 29 - June 30, 2010 (tentative)Dialogue Leaders:
Dr. Lusine Poghosyan, L.poghosyan@neu.edu; Gregory AftandilianCourse Description:
Modern History and Development of Armenia: Political, Social, Cultural, and Health Issues "Armenia: History, Politics, Culture, and Public Health Issues" is a 5-week faculty-led program offering students the opportunity to study and understand this ancient yet modern country that is situated by important crossroads of cultures, religions, and civilizations. Topics will include the modern history of Armenia from the late 19th Century to the present, the impact of Soviet policies on the country, the transition to an independent republic, the role of the Armenian diaspora, the foreign polices of the country toward the United States, Russia, and its immediate neighbors, and the challenges of political and economic reform. The cultural component of the program will examine the lives and works of famous Armenian artists, the legacy of the ancient Armenian Apostolic Church, and the influences that have impacted Armenian literature. Students will also learn about how Armenia as a small country is dealing with global challenges and public health issues.Human Rights and Civic Development in the Caucasus
This course is a comparative review of the development of human rights and of civil society in the three Caucasian republics during their continuing post-soviet transition. Upon declaring independence, each state quickly acceded to international human rights treaties; to what degree have these societies been successful in internalizing these values? Topics for discussion include: the universality of human rights vs. cultural relativism, sources and consequences of violations, the scope and limits of minority rights, respect for the prohibition on the use of torture, free and fair elections, respect for women's rights, and other issues. International, regional and national mechanisms, institutions and NGO's seeking to promote and protect human rights will also be discussed.Social
Students will spend 5 weeks in Armenia, staying mostly in the capital city of Yerevan. They will take two courses at the American University of Armenia (AUA), one led by a Northeastern faculty member on Modern Armenian History, and another led by an AUA faculty member on human rights and civic development in the Caucasus. Students will also attend lectures on public health issues by a Northeastern faculty member. In addition, students will meet with Armenian government officials, think tank specialists, NGO representatives, and U.S. Embassy officials to gain a greater understanding of Armenia's policies in various fields. Students will visit cultural sites in and outside of Yerevan, including museums devoted to Armenian history and Armenian artists, ancient monasteries, the Holy See of the Armenian Church, and Lake Sevan in central Armenia. The final week of the course will be spent at an off-site outside of Yerevan where students will be able to reflect on, and discuss their experiences with, faculty members and their fellow students, and be exposed to Armenian life outside of the capital city.Course credits:
8Cost of Program:
Summer tuition for 8 NU credits plus additional costs TBD.Application process:
Download the Dialogue of Civilizations application and waiver form. Turn in two copies of each completed form and two copies of your unoffifical transcript to the Office of International Study Programs in 10 BV.Application Deadline:
December 1, 2009Disclaimer:
Some information posted here is tentative and subject to change based on costs and dates of available flights. The website is updated as current information becomes available.