COURSE TITLE: TURKEY & AEGEAN COAST: Women, Culture & History NO. OF CREDITS: 5 QUARTER CREDITS WA CLOCK/CEU HRS: 50 [Semester equivalent is 3.33 credits] INSTRUCTORS: REBECCA BLANKINSHIP, B.A. COURSE INFO: 425/608-9186 GREG POSTEL, M. ED. TRAVEL INFO: 425/608-9186 www.culturalinksusa.com rebecca@culturalinksusa.com COURSE DESCRIPTION: Turkey is a country with a complex and ornate past. The region s history spans three empires and even claims some of the first known civilizations on earth. Its more current history, from the Ottoman Empire to the making of the Turkish Republic is richly filled with ethnic diversity, traditions and culture whose origins can be traced from many corners of the world. The location of Istanbul, and the fact that it is the only city that straddles two continents, just begins to reflect the story of a country with multiple identities. Our 14-day cultural tour will introduce us to the history of this nation with an intimate look at the role of women in today s Turkey. Our hands-on workshops will give us an introduction to Turkish language, cuisine, health, beauty, music and art and even give us a chance to discuss current events with a group of women from various backgrounds. Our excursions will include a Hamam experience (Turkish bath), a cooking lesson, a trip to Topkapi Palace with a guided tour of the Harem, a belly dancing class, an introduction to Turkish instruments and the history of Turkish music, a visit to the historical Grand Bazaar with our very own expert shopping guide, a trip to an artist s studio with a hands-on workshop, a home-stay with a Turkish family and much more! Our travels will be within Istanbul and outside of Istanbul to the Aegean Coast, including a trip to a Turkish village. This course is most appropriate for grade 6-12 teachers of social studies, art and history, but adaptable to all grades and many subject areas. $10 class handout fee is to be paid to the instructors at class. $2900, approximate, travel cost includes lodging, some meals, some activities, airport transfers, and major transportation within Turkey. LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, the student will learn: 1. An overview of the end of the Ottoman Empire and the development of the Republic of Turkey. 2. Influences involved in the making of a nation and the creation of a national identity. 3. How the course of history has influenced identity in a modern, secular nation whose population is predominately Muslim. 4. Conflicting Turkish identities from modern to traditional, secular to nationalist. 5. Turkey s place in the world today. 6. Culture and history of the near east with a specific knowledge of oriental dance, Turkish cuisine, the role of women and families in Turkish culture and traditional and modern music and art. 7. An overview of the educational system in Turkey. 8. How to synthesize travel/learning experiences into thematic units for use in the classroom. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Following are the general course requirements weighted for determining the granting of university quarter credit. Antioch University Seattle requires 75% or better to issue credit at the 400 level and 85% or better for credit at the 500 level. 1. Attendance and active participation in all class sessions 40% 2. Reading of articles, handouts, books or texts 30% 3. Satisfactory completion of all outside assignments 30% Turkey & Aegean Coast: Women, Culture & History 1 Approved 2/16/2009
400 & 500 LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS: 1. From attendance at all class meetings and/or lectures, and from course-related readings and discussions, develop an individualized program of activities for each day of our itinerary. These programs should detail how you expect to enhance the educational value of each day for your individual needs and should be incorporated in number 2, below. 2. Produce a photo journal or a daily written journal of your trip to include at least eight (8) entries with a minimum of one-half typed page for each entry. 3. Develop a thematic unit on the art and history of Turkey, or the role of Women in Islam, integrating six (6) lesson plans or activities that can be used in your classroom, or develop a plan that is relevant for your needs with the approval of the instructor. 4. Produce a 3-page book report from one of the books in the Course Bibliography. A different book related to Turkish culture and history, relevant to your needs or interests, may be substituted with the instructors approval. 5. As an alternative to number 4, above, you may develop a multi-media project about Turkish culture, history and or the role of women in Turkey for the classroom. Discuss your plans for this project with the instructor. 500 LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to the 400 level assignments, choose one of the following: 6. Conduct additional reading or research on Turkish art, history or identity. Produce a 3-page paper on findings. 7. Produce an annotated bibliography on at least ten books (not included in the Bibliography for this course) about Turkish culture and history. Each of these annotations is to be a minimum of one paragraph in length (3-pages minimum). 8. Based on reading, research and observation, produce a 3-page paper on the role of women in Turkey. 9. Another assignment of your own design with the prior approval of the instructors. ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE & FORMAT: All assignments are due to the instructors within four (4) weeks of the last class session. All assignments are to be typed or word-processed, double-spaced and single sided. REQUIRED READING: 1. Various instructor-made handouts to enhance your learning and prepare you for the tour. 2. Choose one book from the Bibliography, or another book of your own choosing with the prior approval of the instructors.. MATERIALS FEE: $10 class materials fee is to be paid to the instructors at class. Turkey & Aegean Coast: Women, Culture & History 2 Approved 2/16/2009
TRAVEL COSTS: $2900, approximate, travel cost includes lodging, some meals, some activities, airport transfers, and major transportation within Turkey. For Information and to Register contact Rebecca by phone: 425/608-9186 or 732/861-3370; or send an E-mail to: rebecca@culturalinksusa.com. You can also visit her website: www.culturalinksusa.com INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION OF WORK: Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like to receive the instructors comments on your assignments. QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING: Rebecca Blankinship and Greg Postel have respective degrees in Near and Middle Eastern Studies and Education, and bring the necessary knowledge and enthusiasm to impart valuable information to teachers concerning a region of the world that should not be misunderstood by the up-coming generation of leaders who fill today s classrooms. Both Greg and Rebecca passionately believe that cross-cultural experiences and world travel bring greater peace and understanding to today s conflicted world. Rebecca s specific knowledge of the region includes many travels to Turkey including one year of education at the prestigious Bosphorus University in Istanbul. Turkey & Aegean Coast: Women, Culture & History 3 Approved 2/16/2009
TURKEY & AEGEAN COAST: Women, Culture & History BIBLIOGRAPHY Ahmad, Feroz. Turkey; The Quest for Identity. Oneworld Publications, 2005 Ashman, Anastasia and Eaton Gokmen, Jennifer. (eds). Tales from the Expat Harem; Foreign Women in Modern Turkey. Seal Press, 2006 Bell, Brian. (ed). Insight Guides; Turkey. Apa Publications, 2008 Faroqui, Suraiya. Subjects of the Sultan; Culture and Daily Life in the Ottoman Empire. I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd 2000 Folkard, Claire, Oliver, Jane and Stroyan, Christopher. (eds). Eyewitness Travel; Istanbul. Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., 2007 Fromkin, David. A Peace to End All Peace; Creating the Modern Middle East, 1914 1922. Henry Holt and Company, 1989 Kandiyoti, Deniz and Saktanber, Ayse. (eds). Fragments of Culture, The Everyday of Modern Turkey. Rutgers University Press, 2002 Keyder, Caglar, ed. Istanbul; Between the Global and the Local. Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1999 Kinzer, Stephen. Crescent and Star; Turkey Between Two Worlds. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001 Macfie, A. L. The End of the Ottoman Empire; 1980 1923. Addison Wesley Longman Limited, 1998 Morris, Chris. The New Turkey; The Quiet Revolution on the Edge of Europe. Granta Books, 2006 Pamuk, Orhan. Istanbul; Memories and the City. Alfred A. Knopf, 2004 Pamuk, Orhan. My Name is Red. Alfred A. Knopf, 2001 Ran, Nazim Hikmet. Human Landscapes. Persea Books, 1982 Shafak, Elif, The Bastard of Istanbul. Penguin Books, 2007 Tanpinar, Ahmet Hamdi. The Time Regulation Institute. Turko-Tatar Press, 2001 Tekin, Latife. Dear Shameless Death. Marion Boyars Publishers, 2001 Valent, Dani. World Food; TURKEY. Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd, 2000 Zurcher, Erik. Turkey; A Modern History. I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd, 1993 VIDEOS/FILMS Crossing the Bridge; The Sound of Istanbul by Fatih Akin Globe Trekker, Turkey Harem Suare; A Forbidden Love in a World of Secrets by Ferzan Ozpetek Steam: The Turkish Bath by Ferzan Ozpetek Sabiha Gökçen: The Legendary Girl of the Skies by Ali Akyuz Turkey & Aegean Coast: Women, Culture & History 4 Approved 2/16/2009
Day 1, Wednesday Arrive in Istanbul. Orientation, dinner. TURKEY & AEGEAN COAST: Women, Culture & History ITINERARY Course Itinerary is subject to change. Day 2, Thursday Introductory Turkish language lesson. Explore Istanbul s Old City. Guided architectural & artisan tour, folk dancing, whirling dervishes, musical performance at Topkapi Palace. Day 3, Friday Grand Bazaar shopping & art tour. Turkish bath. Nightlife in Taksim, Istanbul s cultural capital, including dinner at Meyehane, a Turkish appetizer house. Day 4, Saturday Travel south to Izmir. Special private performance by Izmir s own Symphonic Ensemble. Afterwards, will meet with a few elementary and high school teachers. Day 5, Sunday Enjoy the day with your host family. Travel to Kusadasi in the evening. Day 6, Monday Day long boat tour on the Aegean Sea. Day 7, Tuesday Travel to village of Camlik. Here we will visit Mine Hanim s workshop and learn about village handicrafts & traditional arts including the art of Oya. We will also meet the women who work with her on these projects. Travel to Ephesus, then return to Kusadasi. Day 8, Wednesday Spend the day in Kusadasi. For those of you joining this tour for credit; time to work on your journal or other assignments. Day 9, Thursday Visit a woman s organization in Izmir; learn about the efforts women are making in Turkey to improve lives. Day 10, Friday Istanbul; Women s Library in Fener; Uskudar, visit the Cinili Camii mosque. Day 11, Saturday Bosphorus River, women in history, jewelry making party, round-table discussion on any of the topics that we ve touched on throughout our journey. Day 12, Sunday Taksim. Turkish traditional music & instruments. Travel to Sariyer and visit the Sadberk Hanim Museum. Day 13, Monday In-depth overview of the art of rug weaving with a demonstration at a local rug shop. Hands-on lesson in the art of water marbling or Ebru at the Caferaga Medresi. Day 14, Tuesday Travel day. Turkey & Aegean Coast: Women, Culture & History 5 Approved 2/16/2009