Author: Melissa Rudberg
Turkey has been in the news recently concerning its long-standing ambitions to join the European Union. Turkey’s recent attention is occurring simultaneously with a new Religious Studies course next semester that Religious Studies Professor Kristi Upson-Saia will teach titled “Turkey: Then and Now (ABROAD),” which will culminate in a 16 day trip to Turkey after finals in late May through early June.
The course will cover the history of the region, beginning with the Classical period and ending with the present. It will survey “the range and mixture of peoples/cultures . . . as well as the issues over which they cooperated and battled.” Besides exchanges between cultures, the course will also survey the country’s unique industry and crafts, and will call attention to the topography of Turkey as an aspect of culture – which will likely give perspective during the trip aspect of the course.
Given Turkey’s place in past and present events and culture, Professor Upson-Saia believes that students from a variety of disciplines will find an interest in the country, and that academic diversity will enrich the experience of the class and the trip. Some examples of disciplines from which students may be interested are Religious Studies, Politics, DWA, History, Asian Studies, Art History and Classical Studies. Everyone will be able to pursue his or her own interests through individual research projects and presentations.
Turkey first applied for EU membership in 1987 and was accepted as a candidate in 1999. There are chapters of the Copenhagen conditions that outline requirements that must be met to join the EU. In a month, the Human Rights Commission will review Turkey’s human rights improvement, an issue with which Turkey has a historically bad record. This is an issue that will likely be covered in “Turkey: Then and Now (ABROAD),” as it demonstrates the cultural conflicts that have characterized Turkey’s past.
Despite Turkey’s strong desire and efforts to meet all the requirements, the process of negotiations has been slow for Turkey. Cultural differences may play a large role in this. Turkey has a large Islamic population and does not have a strict separation between politics and religion. A recent study by a European scholar showed that a majority of Europeans are against Turkey’s accession.
Recently, Turkey met separately with Georgian and Russian officials in an attempt to promote peace between the countries who went to war with each other in August. EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, noted last week that Turkey is also helping to normalize ties between Syria in the EU, and is also mediating talks between Israel and Palestine. “Turkey remains an important bridge between Europe and the Islamic world,” Rehn said. However, he did not know if or when Turkey will be admitted into the EU.
In addition to political issues, “Turkey: Then and Now (ABROAD)” will cover both the historic and contemporary cultural richness and diversity of Turkey. Given Turkey’s role in current global issues, the course should be of interest to students in a variety of studies.
More information about the program, including eligibility and cost, and how to apply can be found at http://www.oxy.edu/TurkeyThenAndNow.xml. Anyone with questions may also contact Professor Upson-Saia at upsonsaia@oxy.edu.
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