Study Philosophy, History, Religion, Culture, Languages, Economics and Politics in the Capital of Empires
February 4 - June 7, 2008
The Program
The Duke in Istanbul program, directed by Professor Güven Güzeldere of the Philosophy Department, aims at introducing cultural, historical, social, political, and religious issues emerging at the intersection of Europe and the Middle East, with particular attention to the unique position of Turkey within the global context. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach to area and cultural studies, offering a coherent curriculum organized around four courses together with an integrated component of cultural activities and excursions during the semester.
Students are required to take one course with the program director, and three additional courses of their choice from a selection of courses in History, Philosophy, Sociology, Turkish Language and Literature, Fine Arts, Psychology, Economics, and Political Science, among others, offered by Bogazici University in Istanbul. All the courses are taught in English by select Bogazici University faculty.
The central course, offered by the director, is a Duke course cross-listed in Philosophy, Religion, Cultural Anthropology, International Comparative Studies, and Turkish, titled "Cognitive Science of Religion and Morality". One aspect of the course includes discussion of the similarities and differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as they relate to the questions discussed as part of the class, while intermittently visiting historical sites of worship in Istanbul and other selected areas of Turkey.
To encourage students' exposition to the diverse cultural and religious heritage of Turkey, the program sponsors several day-long excursions within Istanbul and the nearby vicinities throughout the program, integrated into the academic curriculum. The program also offers two week-long excursions to the Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia, the ancient city of Antioch and environs, and several of the noted Greco-Roman sites along the Aegean Coast, such as Halicarnassus, Ephesus, Pergamum, Assos, and Troy.
The program sponsors guest lectures and discussion groups on issues relevant to the curriculum, and also organizes cultural activities, such as movie, theater, and concert outings, as well as museum visits in Istanbul.
ISTANBUL:
Recently named the 2010 Cultural Capital of Europe, Istanbul is a multi-faceted cosmopolitan city with a magnificent cultural and religious heritage, where the East and the West are intertwined at every corner. Consisting of both modern districts of trendy shopping, cultural activities, and gourmet dining, as well as smaller old quarters seeped in history with narrow winding streets and texture of traditional lifestyle, Istanbul is a never-ending arcade of the blend of the ancient and the modern.
There are internationally renown annual festivals of classical music, opera, jazz, and rock every year, as well as a major biennale and an international film festival, all easily accessible in Istanbul. The city's mild climate makes it possible to enjoy the many outdoor parks, cafes, and restaurants by the Bosphorus during much of the year.
Designated as "the coolest city in Europe" by Newsweek and offering a rich variety of cultural and culinary venues and a hopping night life, Istanbul is relatively safe and inexpensive, especially when compared to cities of similar size (approximate population: 10 million). Travel and Leisure magazine has recently rated Istanbul the 3rd Best City in Europe, and the 8th Best City in the world for travelers.
PHIL 132: Cognitive Science of Religion and Morality
[CCI, CZ, EI, R, W; cross-listed in Religion, Cultural Anthropology, Turkish, International Comparative Studies]
Taught by Professor Güven Güzeldere of Duke University's Department of Philosophy, this course offers a review of the recent theories of the mind in the cognitive science literature as they pertain to the nature of belief in God, religious practices, and moral attitudes.
As part of the course, we will briefly consider the similarities and differences on these issues among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, while intermittently visiting historical sites of worship in Istanbul, such as the Byzantine churches of Hagia Sophia and the Holy Savior of Chora (both museums at present), the Blue Mosque and the Suleymaniye Mosque complex, and the Ahrida and Beth Israel synagogues. As the only city located between Asia and Europe, and the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul is home to numerous magisterial sites of worship, and presents a truly unique opportunity for an on-site study of the nature of religious thought.
Calendar
Typically, the Spring semester at Bogazici University begins in the third week of February and ends in the third week of May. Final exams end during the first week of June. There is a week-long Spring Break during the last week of April. Selection of classes and registration takes place during week prior to the beginning of the semester (i.e., the second week in February).
The Duke in Istanbul students are required to arrive during the first week of February and go through a week-long orientation program. Specific dates for arrival in Istanbul, as well as the excursions, other events, and holidays in a particular semester will be sent to the applicants separately
Eligibility & Application
Students may pick up an application form at the Office of Study Abroad or download it online from the program's website. All applicants must be university students in good academic standing (sophomore status or above at the time of program participation). There are no pre-requisite courses or language requirements for the program. Priority will be given to students with high academic standing (normally with a B-average or above).
Selection is made on the basis of a transcript, a completed application, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation from faculty members. The application deadline is October 1. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis. For administrative and financial information about the program, please contact Dr. Leslie Dorfman Davis, the Assistant Director of the Duke Study Abroad Office. For questions about the locale, the campus, and the program activities involved, please contact Sarah Carpenter Kilinc, M.A., the Resident Director of the program (and a Duke University alumnus) in Istanbul.The Duke in Istanbul Program welcomes applicants from accredited colleges or universities. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, national and ethnic origin, handicap, sexual orientation or preference, gender, or age. Duke University reserves the right to make program changes if necessary.
| Spring by the Bosphorus (Istanbul)
The Istanbul section of the course will be hosted on the beautiful campus of Bogazici University in Istanbul (formerly, Robert College), with full access to campus, library, computer cluster, and gym facilities. Students will stay in the university's dormitory, in single rooms with common kitchen, bathroom, and living-room spaces. The campus is located in lively section of the city with many inexpensive restaurants and cafes nearby. Meals at the campus cafeteria are also available. Istanbul is a safe city, especially when compared to cities of similar size (approximate population: 10 million). Public transportation and taxi cabs are easily accessible, safe, and inexpensive. |
Excursions along the Aegean Coast & in Cappadocia and Antioch
The course also includes two week-long excursions. one down the Aegean Coast and the other in Cappadocia and around the ancient city of Antioch. Along the Aegean Coast, we will be visiting the most important Greco-Roman sites that hold a central place in the philosophical and religious history of Asia Minor, such as Assos (the home of Aristotle's Academy), Troy, the Pergamom Acropolis (where the ruins of Zeus Altar are located), Ephesus and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), the House of Virgin Mary and the Basilica Of St John, Miletus (the city of the first recorded Ancient Greek Philosopher, Thales), and the Castle of St. Peter and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum. The second excursion will visit the valley of fairy chimneys and the ancient churches in Cappadocia, and stop at some of the most important cities of the Old and New Testaments, such as Antioch, Tarsus, and Urfa, the birthplace of Abraham. Transportation for the weekly tours will include air travel and an air-conditioned private coach with a designated professional driver and a tourist guide. Accommodations will be in 3-star or small boutique hotels. These expenses are included in the program fees. |
For further information, contact: Professor Güven Güzeldere, Department of Philosophy, 201 West Duke Bldg., Box 90743, Durham, NC 27708 • Phone: 919.660.3068/3050 • Fax: 919.660.3060 • E-mail: guven.guzeldere@duke.edu.