Post-Ottoman Worlds: Istanbul, Haifa, and Jerusalem
Location: Istanbul, Turkey; Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel
Departure and Return Dates: May 31–June 21, 2020 (Summer Session I)
Arrive to Turkey on June 1st, 2020
This study abroad class will embark on a three-week trip that aims to uncover the post-Ottoman worlds that exist in Turkey and Israel, within which Palestinians exist as well. Through a comparison of the two nation-states, the class will ponder the post-WWI politics that shaped the two countries politically, socially, and geographically. On the surface, it might seem that the two states have little in common. However, if we observe them within the post-Ottoman context, we can observe striking similarities, in terms of issues of secularism, the role of religion in the public sphere, nationalism, and state building. No less important will be highlighting where they diverge as well. The class will start off in Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman State, which remained its capital until the founding of the modern secular Republic of Turkey in 1923. During the first three days, we will visit historical Ottoman sites, such as Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia Museum, and Sultan Ahmet Mosque. From there, we will focus on uncovering the Ottoman past, through neighborhoods walks and lectures on Ottoman and Turkish histories, with a special focus on the non-Muslim communities. From Istanbul, we will fly to Tel Aviv and then make our way to Haifa, where we will take part in a three-day seminar on Israeli and Palestinian history. From there, we will move to Jerusalem, where, as we did in Istanbul, we will set out to uncover its Ottoman past, searching for the answer of whether Jerusalem's Ottoman past can provide hope for the future? For this part of the trip, we will visit Christian, Jewish, and Muslim holy sites and meet people from the different communities to explain the history of the city and its political context for Israelis and Palestinians today.
This program is open to undergraduate students, from all majors.
Program Fee
$2100 (includes housing, excursions, CISI health/travel insurance, and welcome/farewell dinners)
Program Fee Payment Schedule:
- Nonrefundable Deposit Due: With Application—$300
- Second Payment Due: April 6, 2020—$900
- Final Payment Due: April 20, 2020—$900
Additional Costs
- Brooklyn College tuition for three credits.
- $800 estimated minimum for out-of-pocket costs: personal expenses, meals, local transportation, and Internet access.
- $1,350 estimated international airfare.
- $30 visa fee for Turkey.
Courses and Credits
- Special Topics in Transnational and Comparative History (HIST 3990)—3 credits
Financial Aid/Scholarships
Financial aid may apply, and alternative loans are available. Scholarships that apply to this program are: Gilman, CUNY Global Chancellor Scholarship, Furman, and SASA, among others (see Scholarship Opportunities).
How to Apply
- Complete and submit the IPSA Notification of Study Abroad/Brooklyn College Study Abroad Application.
- A $300 nonrefundable deposit is due with your application. Students will pay directly at the Brooklyn College Bursar's Office and must attach their paid receipt to their application when submitting to IPSA. Applications will not be accepted or considered complete without a receipt. This deposit of $300 will be returned only if you are not accepted to the program.
- Contact the program director to express your interest in joining the program.
Application Deadline
Monday, March 30, 2020
More Information
International Programs & Study Abroad (IPSA)
1212 Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.5189
Louis Fishman—Program Leader
Department of History
1120B Boylan Hall
P: 718.951.1165
lfishman@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Cancellation and Refund Policies
Read and understand the IPSA Cancellation and Refund Policies Information and note that a participant wishing to cancel their program participation must send written notification to IPSA 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 4, 2020.