I am ready for a long road flight for work with a week- or months-long projects.
SOCIETIES AND CULTURES TORN APART :
CONFLICT AND
COHESION
COHESION
Summer School at the Yerevan Center
for International Education
for International Education
15-29 June, 2024, Armenia
SOCIETIES AND CULTURES TORN APART :
CONFLICT AND
COHESION
COHESION
Summer School at the Yerevan Center
for International Education
for International Education
15-29 June, 2024, Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia, an ancient civilizational center and meeting place at the crossroads of North and South, East and West, offers a unique vantage point on current conflicts that have unsettled and transformed the post-Cold War global equilibrium. The two-week summer school “Societies and Cultures Torn Apart: Conflict and Cohesion” at the Yerevan Center for International Education of the European University at St. Petersburg will bring scholars from Eurasia and the West together to discuss the historical roots and current realities of conflict, in order to build avenues of communication at a moment of unprecedented global crisis..
Program Description
The disciplinary focus of the summer school will be the study of cultures, societies, and states in Eurasia, both in the current moment and in historical perspective. Speakers will address imperialism and the post-colonial situation in Eurasia, in a global comparative framework of analysis; histories and legacies of empire and colonialism across former Soviet and socialist territories—including in Europe and Armenia; the demand for and challenges of disciplinary decolonization; the cultural history of interrelationships between Russia, Eurasian, and Western societies, past and present; and views of current conflicts and global tensions from uncommon vantage points.
A select group of graduate students and advanced undergraduates will have the opportunity for intensive engagement with scholars and experts gathered together in Armenia over the course of two weeks. The program will be complemented by tours to local events and sites of historical and cultural interest.
Themes and Lectures
GLOBAL DYNAMICS
OF THE LONGUE DUREE
OF THE LONGUE DUREE
EMPIRES AND REPUBLICS
Stephen Hanson
The Return of the Repressed: The Global Patrimonial Wave, Russia, China, and beyond
Georgii Derluguian
Boris Kolonitsky
Russia – an Empire on the Periphery of Europe, 1450-2022
Oleg Kharkhordin
After 1917: the Long XXth Century as an Age of Social Revolutions and Civil Wars
Structural Similarities: The Absence of Society in the Res Publica of Ancient Rome, Byzantium and Russia
Susanne Frank
Yuri Slezkine
Nation-building/Canon-building: Literary Histories in (post)Imperial Contexts
The USA and the USSR as Empires
CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EXCHANGE, CENTER AND PERIPHERY, EAST AND WEST
THE CURRENT MOMENT
— UNCOMMON VANTAGES
— UNCOMMON VANTAGES
Ekaterina Pravilova
Political Money: States and Currencies in Modern History
Rachel Polonsky
The Other as Mirror, Part I: British and Russian Cultural Elites in the long XIX century
Ivan Kurilla
Apply by January 16, 2024 for full consideration
The Other as Mirror, Part II: American and Russian Cultural Elites in the long XX century
Kevin M. F. Platt
On the Post-Socialist Post-Colony: Russian-Speaking Diasporas in Former Soviet Border Zones
William & Mary
European University at Saint Petersburg
Humboldt University in Berlin
New York University Abu Dhabi
Alexander Iskandaryan
European University at Saint Petersburg
The World As Seen From the South Caucasus: The North-South Dimension of East-West Conflict
Vladimir Gel’man
University of California, Berkeley
The Invention of Legacy: Strategic Uses of the “Good Soviet Union” in Elite Policy Preferences in Russia
Caucasus Institute
Serguei Oushakine
Princeton University
Against Decolonization: Early Soviet Debates about Imperialism and Colonial Revolutions
University of Helsinki
University of Cambridge
University of Pennsylvania
European University at Saint Petersburg
Princeton University
Summer school participants will have the opportunity to explore Yerevan, Armenia's vibrant capital, where they can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of this ancient city. They will also make excursions to Dilijan and Lake Sevan and have the opportunity to participate in guided tours of local historical sites that illuminate and illustrate the lecture topics.
Highlights
Just a short drive from Garni Temple, Geghard is an ancient monastic complex partially carved into the rock face. Intricately carved chambers and the Holy Spear Chapel are highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and bear witness to a harmonious blend of nature and human craftsmanship.
Immerse yourself in Armenia's literary and intellectual history at the Matenadaran, a repository of ancient manuscripts and documents. The museum boasts an impressive collection of illuminated manuscripts and historical texts, offering a profound insight into the nation's scholarly legacy, including the illuminated manuscript Etchmiadzin Gospel, the Homilies of Mush, and Movses Khorenatsi's 10th century History of Armenia.
Zvartnots Cathedral is a masterpiece of early medieval Armenian architecture. This historic site showcases the grandeur of the Armenian kingdom and its cultural achievements. Constructed during the reign of Catholicos Nerses III in the early 640s, Zvartnots Cathedral served as a prominent religious center within the burgeoning Armenian kingdom and stood for over three centuries till it was abandoned following a destructive earthquake in the tenth century.
Geghard
Matenadaran
Zvartnots
Step back in time at the Garni Temple, a splendid example of ancient Hellenistic architecture. This Pagan temple, situated in a dramatic setting surrounded by cliffs and the Azat River Gorge, provides a glimpse into Armenia's pre-Christian history.
Garni Temple
Explore the vibrant heart of Armenia in Yerevan, where ancient history meets modernity. Stroll through Republic Square, visit the mesmerizing Cascade Complex, and experience the bustling Vernissage Market for local crafts and souvenirs, all while enjoying the city's rich cafe culture and delicious cuisine.
A jewel of Armenia, Lake Sevan is a vast and serene high-altitude lake surrounded by mountains. Enjoy a day by the water, swimming, sailing, or indulging in a seafood feast at a lakeside restaurant. The scenic beauty and crystal-clear waters make it an idyllic destination for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Yerevan
Nestled in the lush forests of the Tavush Province, Dilijan offers a serene retreat for nature lovers. Discover its breathtaking landscapes, hiking trails, and the picturesque Old Town, often referred to as the "Little Switzerland of Armenia." Dilijan National Park showcases the country's natural beauty.
Lake Sevan
Dilijan
How to apply
Priority deadline is January 16, 2024 by the end of the day. Applicants will receive notification of acceptance in February. Students in need of financial assistance will have the opportunity to apply following acceptance. The cost includes room and board (two/three meals a day) and a limited number of excursions.
Dates: 15-29 June, 2024
Cost: $750 + travel
Applications should include a cover/motivation letter of no more than 500 words that introduces yourself and identifies your academic and professional interests as well as how you are a good fit for the YCIE's Summer School program. Include in the cover letter a description of a research project (undergraduate thesis, dissertation, or other research program) that would benefit from your participation in the summer school, taking note of the proposed themes and topics. The letter, as well as copies of your CV/resume and unofficial transcripts can be uploaded and submitted using the form on this page. In addition, please upload a contact information sheet for at least one recommendation letter writer.
Applications are closed
