Exploring Istanbul: Past and Present (A History of Modern Turkey)
HIST 3554: From Empire to Nation-State: The Emergence of Modern Turkey
3 credits—Professor Louis Fishman
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Departure Date: May 25
Return Date: June 16
This class will take place on site in Istanbul, a city that spans two continents, Europe and Asia. It aims to teach the history of the late Ottoman period and modern Turkey. The class will be divided into two components: the first part will focus on Turkey's Ottoman past and will rethink issues related to Ottoman history, politics and society, and other aspects such as art and architecture.
During this part, we will visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, the Ashkenazi and Sephardic synagogues, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. We will take a boat trip up the Bosphorus straights and will end the day at one of Mehmet the Conqueror's Fortress. In addition to the Brooklyn College faculty member's lessons, students will hear form local experts, who will provide important information not available in the classroom.
The second part will cover the history of modern Turkey, taught together with some of Turkey's top professors, which will include meetings with journalists, women's and LGBT groups, Armenian and Jewish groups, Kurdish, Alevi, and other social groups to learn about issues relevant to modern Turkey. It will also include meetings with government officials and opposition parties. This component will allow the students to understand how histories are contested and how a multitude of competing narratives are shaped. Program participants will stay in a hotel (with breakfast included) located near the main center of the European side.
While we will be primarily located on the European part of the city, we will also explore the Asian side as part of our class. Lastly, there will be a weekend excursion to an historic Ottoman city, Edirne, where we will have the chance to see first hand one of the first Ottoman capitals. Here we will also visit Europe's third largest synagogue, which was recently renovated by the Turkish government, and Turkey's largest mosque, the Selimiye.
This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, all majors.
Program Fee
$1,950 (includes housing, breakfast, CISI health/travel insurance, program-related transportation, and excursions)
Program Fee Payment Schedule:
- Nonrefundable Deposit Due With Application—$300
- Final Payment Due: Monday, April 10— $1,650
Additional Costs
- Brooklyn College tuition and fees for three credits.
- $1,300 (estimated) for international round-trip airfare to Turkey
- Out-of-pocket costs ($800, estimated) for personal expenses (lunches and dinners, visa fee at the arrival, laundry, etc.)
Courses and Credits
Participants will be registered for one three-credit course:
- HIST 3554: From Empire to Nation-State: The Emergence of Modern Turkey 1800–Present
- HIST 7530X: Modern Ottoman History, 1700–1923 (graduate students only)
Financial Aid / Scholarships
Financial aid may apply, and alternative loans are available. Scholarships that apply to this program are: Gilman, Furman (pdf), SASA and others (see Scholarship Opportunities).
How to Apply
Complete the application:
- If you are a current Brooklyn College student: Apply through the Brooklyn College WebCentral portal, under the Academics tab.
- If you do not currently attend Brooklyn College: Apply here.
In addition to the application, you will need to upload:
- Personal statement of purpose. Include how the program chosen will help you meet your academic and/or professional goals, and how you plan to contribute to the success of the program.
- One faculty letter of recommendation.
- Copy of your transcript. CUNY students may print this from their CUNYfirst account. Non-CUNY students—Official transcript must be in a sealed envelope with a registrar's stamp.
- Copy of passport photo page.
- $300 nonrefundable deposit. Students will pay directly at the Brooklyn College Bursar's Office and must submit the receipt to our our office, IPSA. Note that this deposit of $300 will only be returned if you are not accepted to the program.
Application Deadline
Friday, March 31
More Information
Please contact the International Programs & Study Abroad office.
In-person advising: Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
1212 Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 5189
E: studyabroad@brooklyn.cuny.edu
or
Louis Fishman (Program Director)
Department of History
1120b Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 1165
Cancellation and Refund Policies
Please read and understand the Cancellation and Refund Policies Information and note that a participant wishing to cancel their program participation must send written notification to our office to officially withdraw. Program withdrawal will be official from the time and date that the written communication was received by IPSA.
Please note that all information listed above is subject to change at any time.
Page last modified on February 23, 2023.
