When East Meets West in Turkey

This program explores Istanbul: Turkey’s most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. Istanbul is not only a major metropolis --the only one in the world situated on two continents (Asia and Europe), but also a unique modern, secular cultural center where elements from Western and Islamic societies come together.

During this program, the students will have an opportunity to explore how the legacy of a rich diverse history interacts with a modern life style. Throughout its history, Istanbul has served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1923), and hosted a diverse group of ethnic and religious communities (such as Greek Orthodox, Latin, Jewish, Armenian and Muslim). Today, the city is considered as one of the best cultural centers of Europe with its rich nightlife, cafes, bars, clubs, and restaurants, its countless museums, festivals, concerts and galleries making it a major cite to observe and understand the dynamics of the interaction of the West with the East.

During the 2,5 weeks the students will spend there, they will explore the historical cites from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods to see the tension and synergy between Greek Orthodox, Latin, Jewish, and Islamic influences in the history of Istanbul; study the interactions of the Ottoman Empire and then the Republic of Turkey with Europe and the role of Islam in everyday life as well as foreign policy; and try to understand how and to what extent this Islamic society interacts with the elements of Western culture to make it its own. Using these as a basis, the group will also explore the contemporary political and cultural issues of Turkey and its diverse communities.n. Using these as a basis, the group will also explore the contemporary political and cultural issues of Turkey and its diverse communities.

Itinerary

Program Director

Dr. Elif Andac is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology. She specializes in the areas of political sociology, comparative-historical sociology, social theory and research methods. Her research focuses on state building processes, state-society relations, nationalism, ethnic and religious politics in the Middle East and the Balkans. She’s also a native of
Istanbul, Turkey.

Courses Offered

SOC 600: Sociological Perspectives: Study Abroad in Istanbul (3 credits)
Students will receive 3 credit hours for completion of 3 introductory sessions, travel in Istanbul and to a smaller town on the Mediterranean coast, and posting their observations and analysis of their daily experiences in Turkey throughout the trip on a public blog created for this course (including reflective essays and pictures and videos they record).

Blogsite

Accommodations

Students will stay in 3 star hotels in Istanbul and Antalya. Accommodations as well as breakfasts and some dinners are included in the program fee.

Dates

Prior to traveling to Turkey, the course will meet for one preparatory class session that will introduce students to the sites and issues they will face in Turkey.
This session will be held on: April 25, 2009

Depart US: June 3, 2010
Arrive Istanbul: June 4, 2010
Depart Istanbul: June 23, 2010

Eligibility

Open to undergraduate and graduate students from any accredited U.S. college or university. Minimum 2.5 GPA required (exceptions considered after submission of a petition).

Credit

Three hours of credit is granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program.

Cost: TBD (Summer 2009 costs are listed below).

Program Fee: Approximately $3,700. ($3,900 for non-KU students). The fee includes all travel in Turkey, accommodations, breakfasts and some dinners, entrance fees, tour guides, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services.

Tuition and Fees:Estimated tuition and fees for 3 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $620 *

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the student’s individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Additional Costs: International airfare, all lunches and some dinners, passport and visa fees, and personal expenses.

Note

All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Financial Aid

KU students who qualify for spring semester financial aid in the form of Stafford and/or other loans, Pell or SEOG Grants, and scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a Study Abroad Program.

Limited supplemental scholarships are available to KU undergraduates. Applications are available at the Office of Study Abroad.

Application Procedures

Final Application Deadline: March 1, 2010. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Applications are available in the KU Office of Study Abroad. You can also download the application.

(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download an application. If your computer does not have Acrobat Reader you can download it for FREE.)

For more information contact:

Dr. Elif Andac
Department of Sociology
1415 Jayhawk Boulevard, 751 Fraser Hall
Lawrence, KS 66045-7556
Phone: 785-864-9416
Fax: 785-864-5280
email: andac@ku.edu

The University of Kansas
Office of Study Abroad
Lippincott Hall
1410 Jayhawk Blvd. Room 108
Lawrence, KS 66045-7515

phone: 785-864-3742
fax: 785-864-5040
e-mail: osa@ku.edu