Armenia – History, Politics, and Culture (Closed)
Yerevan, Armenia
Dates
- Summer 1 Semester - May 24 - June 26, 2012 (These are tentative dates. Exact dates TBA.)
Application Deadline
- Summer 1 Semester - March 1, 2012
Description
Faculty leader: Gregory Aftandilian (gaftandilian@verizon.net)
Pre-program Meetings: Two classes in May 2012 at the Northeastern University campus; dates to be determined. First class to provide students with detailed description of the program, student responsibilities, and program requirements; second class to introduce students to Armenian history, culture and politics as well as what to expect when they arrive in Armenia.
- Information Session: February 8th, 2012 from 12:30pm-1:30pm in 336 Curry Student Center. Pizza and soft drinks will be served!
Program Description:
The Armenia program provides students with the experience of living and studying in this ancient yet modern country situated at the crossroads of civilizations. 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. 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.and will visit cultural sites in and outside of Yerevan,including musical events, 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 few days 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 their fellow students and the faculty member, and be exposed to Armenian life outside of the capital city.
Student perspectives on the Armenia program
Two of last year's students who participated in the Dialogue of Civilization's Armenia program, Kristen Paonessa and Caroline Page, have reflected on their experiences both in the capital city of Yerevan and in the countryside. They also discuss what they got out of the program.
Kristen writes: "Living in a huge house inYerevan, Armenia with 8 other Northeastern students was a great way to make friendships and gain academic credit in 2011. During the mornings, Monday through Thursday, we had classes at the American University of Armenia. The themes of the classes were the modern history of Armenia and human rights and civic society in the Caucasus. This was an especially unique learning experience because the facts and figures of Armenia are rarely included in American world history books...we learned about Armenia's close relations with Russia, the United States, and Iran and its ongoing conflicts with Turkey and Azerbaijan. On the weekends, our professors exposed us to some of Armenia's beautiful religious and historical landmarks outside of Yerevan. We enjoyed these rides through the countryside not only because of the gorgeous vistas but because of the context they gave to our readings and lectures."
And Caroline writes: "I chose to travel to Armenia because I knew nothing about it and had no idea what to expect. I knew no one who traveled there and was excited to go to a place that was completely unexplored by anyone I had met before. On my trip I lived and took classes with 8 people who would become some of my closest friends. We had a blast, traveling around Armenia and exploring the lively capital city of Yerevan...Every day I ate as much delicious fresh fruit as I could and paid very little for it. The cost of living in Armenia is a lot less than in the United States. My stay in Armenia was one of the best times of my life, and I am grateful that I took the opportunity to travel to a country that I would probably never have the chance to explore again."
Kristen and Caroline will be joined by other students from the 2011 program and faculty leader Greg Aftandilian to participate in the information session. Come by and meet them, enjoy some pizza and soft drinks and hear more about what the Armenia program offers this year.
Courses
- INTL 4944 Dialogue of Civilizations: Regional Engagement (Modern History and Development of Armenia: Political, Social, and Cultural Issues)
- POLS 4937 Government and Politics - Learning Abroad (Human Rights and Civic Development in the Caucasus)
Students will take two courses: Modern History and Development of Armenia: Political,Social, and Cultural Issues (INTL4944 - Russia/Middle East). 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 particularly in the United States, 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 how Armenia,as a small country, is dealing with global challenges. Human Rights and Civic Development in the Caucasus(POLS 4937 - Russia/Middle East) 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 NGOs seeking to promote and protect human rights will also be discussed.
Application Procedure
- Online Faculty- Led application (application open 10/17 - 11/18)
- Upload one unofficial transcript
- Upload one copy of passport ID page
- Upload essay questions Faculty may require additional information and/or interview (after application deadline)
Cost
$9,460 plus a possible accommodation charge