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Armenian Studies Program

Program Courses

10 - Introduction to Armenian Studies (3)
Introduction to the historical and contemporary experience of Armenians in American society. Examines issues of identity, ethnicity, immigration, genocide, and cultural heritage in the United States. G.E. Breadth D3.

20 - The Arts of Armenia (3)
An introduction to Armenian architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, metal work, and textiles. All lectures are illustrated with slides. G.E. Breadth C1.

45 - William Saroyan (3)
The ethnic experience in America, especially the San Joaquin Valley, through the writings of William Saroyan. The author's major literary successes will be read and compared with films made of these same works. Writing assignments of at least 2,500 words. (Formerly ARM S 50T section)

50T - Studies in Armenian Literature (3)
Various masterpieces of Armenian literature: David of Sassoun, Saroyan, historical literature, modern literature, Armenian American authors.

105 - Armenian Genocide in Comparative Context (3)
(See HIST 105.) Review of theory and characteristics of genocide. Study of the Armenian Genocide as an example and comparison with other genocides in the 20th century. Discusses the role of international constituencies and prevention and lessons of genocide. (Formerly ARM S 120T section)

106 - Armenians in North America (3)
(See HIST 106.) Study of six waves of Armenian migration to North America from 1870-1995. Topics discussed include entry, settlement, work, family, community organizations, church, politics, culture, and integration in U.S. society. (Formerly ARM S 120T section)

108A - Armenian History I: Modern and Contemporary (3)
(See HIST 108A.) History of Armenia and Armenians from prehistoric times to the beginning of the modern era. The historical process will be considered from Armenia's point of view as well as from that of its neighbors: Assyria, Iran, Rome, Byzantium, the Arabs, the Seljuk Turks, the Crusades, the Mongols, and various Turkic dynasties.

108B - Armenian History II: Modern and Contemporary (3)
(See HIST 108B.) Overview of modern and contemporary Armenian history, including Armenia's relations with Persian, Turkish, and Russian empires, the Armenian Renaissance, the "Armenian Question," the Genocide, the Armenian Republic, Soviet Armenia, the Second Armenian Republic, and diasporan communities in America, Europe, and the Middle East.

120T - Topics in Armenian Studies (1-3; max total 6)
Specialized topics in Armenian history, art, and culture, not normally covered in other Armenian Studies courses. Topics include the Armenian church, minor arts, film, the Diaspora, and the Genocide.

121 - Armenian Painting (3)
History and development of Armenian painting with special concentration on the art of manuscript illumination and the origins of Christian art. All lectures are illustrated with slides.

123 - Armenian Architecture (3)
History and development of Armenian architecture is presented in the context of early Christian architecture. There will be a survey of monuments from the fourth to the seventeenth centuries. All lectures are illustrated with slides.

190 - Independent Study (1-3)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for SP grading.



Armenian (ARM)

1A - Elementary Armenian (4)
Beginning course in conversational and written Armenian. Not open to students with two or more years of high school Armenian credit.

1B - Elementary Armenian (4)
Prerequisite: ARM 1A or permission of instructor. Second semester course in conversational and written Armenian. Not open to those with three or more years of high school Armenian credit. G.E. Breadth C2.

2A - Intermediate Armenian (3)
Prerequisites: ARM 1A and 1B or permission of instructor. Review of grammar and emphasis on conversation and reading. G.E. Breadth C2.

2B - Intermediate Armenian (3)
Prerequisite: ARM 2A or permission of instructor. Advanced conversation, composition, and reading. G.E. Breadth C2.

148 - Masterpieces of Armenian Culture (3)
Survey of outstanding examples of Armenian culture including literary works by Naregatsi, Toumanian, Siamanto, Varoujean, and others. Survey of Christian Armenian architecture and music. G.E. Integration IC.



Armenian Studies Honors (ARMS)

190H. Honors Independent Study (3)
Designed for advanced undergraduate students who have successfully been admitted into the Armenian Studies Program's Honors Program. Students will work closely with assigned faculty to develop a research proposal and to complete an honors thesis ready for publication.