Winter 2009

AAPTIS - 593.001

Armenia Today

In the last 17-18 years of independence Armenia has changed its political, demographic and economic face. These changes, which will be explained in the course's introduction, have but also affected other aspects of life in Armenia: • The Armenian language, for example by a rigorous de-Russification in many domains, a strengthening of Armenian in school teaching and mass media, a noticeable convergence with Iranian Armenian vernacular and even with Western Armenian, and a purification and at the same time modernization of the lexicon. • The Armenian culture, for example by a "clash" of traditional Armenian culture with the Western way of living and mentality; a loss of traditions on the one side and a rather chauvinistic return to traditional values and attitudes. • The Armenian apostolic church, for example by reform movements in the clergy, by an opening of the church to the common people, by an obviously uphill struggle with sects in all regions of Armenia, with a re-Christianization of the Armenian people after 70 years of atheistic communist life. • The minorities of Armenia, for example by demographic changes brought on by mass immigration of Azeris during the Karabakh conflict, the change of public laws concerning minority language teaching and even the exercise of freedom of religion, at least concerning Christian minorities; the changed status of minorities like the Christian Assyrians or the Armenian Jews. Etc. This mini-course will also provide deep insight into the linguistic, cultural and religious problems of Armenia today. Photographic or film (documentation) materials, reports from mass media and above all the personal experience of the lecturer gained during numerous fieldwork visits to Armenia will contribute to this authentic and active course.

This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduate students. Sophomores interested in taking this course should contact the instructor, Jasmine Dum-Tragut, for permission (jasmine.dum.tragut@inode.at).

(3 week mini-course in February)