06.10.2010“ARMENIAN RESOURCES” in the USA
The Armenian studies centers in the US
The US Armenian Studies centers have many peculiarities which are conditioned by various historical, geographic, political, social, cultural, educational factors. Today the Armenian community in the US faces many challenges. The most characteristic problems are the issues of preserving national identity, consolidation of the Armenian community, making it more powerful as a political factor and etc. Preserving of the Armenians living in the US, annihilation of the assimilation threat, participation in the solution of the challenges, which Armeniancy faces, depends on those very issues. The Armenian community plays an important role and this depends on both the quantity of the community and significance of its political influence1. Armenian studies centers in the US take an important role in the solution of the aforementioned issues.
There are professional organizations of the Armenian scientists in the US. In a number of universities and colleges the classes and chairs of the Armenian studies were established where the Armenian language, literature, history, national church and secular music, culture, art, history of architecture and other subjects concerning Armenian studies as well as courses connected with Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes are taught by foreign and Armenian specialists in the field of the Armenian studies, the degrees of the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, as well as masters degree and Ph.D. are offered. The Armenian studies in the US are also developed in the centers of the Armenian studies which goal is to promote the study and dissemination of the materials connected with the Armenian history, language, literature, culture, art, religion, education, national, associative and political life. Higher education institutions and centers dealing with the Armenian studies have many periodicals published in two languages (English, Armenian)2.
The centers of the Armenian studies in the US can be divided into two groups:
- The Armenian studies’ institutes. This group includes the institutes of the Armenian studies in the US which undertake the research activity. Their activity, undoubtedly, boosts teaching subjects connected with the Armenian studies, but those centers do not undertake the educational activity. We find it reasonable to include in this group the Center of the Armenian studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, which though acts within the framework of the university but does not deal with the educational issues and its activity is restricted to the researches.
- The Armenian studies associations. They mainly deal with the organizational issues concerning education and research.
- The Chairs of the Armenian studies. Here various subjects connected with the Armenian studies are taught. But the activity of the chairs is not restricted to the organization of the classes on the Armenian studies, but it also includes research and publishing activities.
- The Armenian studies programmes. These programmes arrange lessons, events, lectures on Armenian history, language, literature, culture, publish periodicals covering their activity as well as manuals promoting the classes. This group includes programmes and classes on the Armenian studies which function in different US universities.
The Armenian studies institutes in the US
A great contribution to the development of the Armenian studies in the US was made by Gomidas Institute, the Zoryan Institute and Armenian National Institute. The studies carried out there, monographs, collections of articles, periodicals are of great research value. The studies concerning Armenian history are especially distinguished.
In 1982 the Zoryan Institute was established in Cambridge3 (The Zoryan Institute for Contemporary Armenian Research and Documentation). The Zoryan Institute carries out three main research projects: 1. Diaspora studies, 2. Genocide studies, 3. Open University (holds seminars, lectures, conferences on Armenia and Armenians). Its branches work in Los Angeles, Toronto and Paris. The Zoryan Institute has connections with a number of organizations and individuals dealing with the Armenian studies in both the Diaspora and Armenia.
Gomidas Institute publishes works about Armenia and Armeniancy, in particular, Armenian history4. It was established in Princeton in 1992. The institute arranges exhibitions, lectures, conferences and since 1998 it has been publishing “Armenian Forum” journal.
In Washington Armenian National Institute (ANI)5, which studies the Armenian Genocide, is functioning.
The researches are also carried out in the Armenian Research Center of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. This center, unlike other institutions of the Armenian studies (chairs and programmes) functioning in other universities does not bear the educational function. Here the researches are carried out. The Armenian Research and Publishing Center of the University of Michigan-Dearborn was established in 1985. The founding director of the center is D. Papazian. Various issues concerning Armenian history, culture, language, literature are studied there. The center promotes holding conferences on the issues of the Armenian studies and publishes “ARC Newsletter” journal6.
The Associations for Armenian studies in the US
An important role in the development of the Armenian studies in the US is taken by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research and Society for Armenian Studies.
In 1955 in Belmond on the initiative of 60 Armenian intellectuals and professors of Harvard University National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) was established7. The office of the Association is in Cambridge. NAASR helps chairs and classes of the Armenian studies at a number of the US universities. In particular, it obtains literature concerning Armenian history and culture which is disseminated in the US. NAASR arranges lecture on the Armenian studies, promotes publishing of the Armenian studies literature. Thanks to the fund risings arranged by the Association the chairs of the Armenian studies were opened at different universities in the US. NAASR established Armenian Heritage Press publishing house. The Association publishes Journal of Armenian Studies (since 1975) and NAASR Newsletter quarterly.
In 1974 on Prof. R. Hovannisian’s initiative Society for Armenian Studies, SAS was established by a group of scholars from the universities of California, Columbia and Harvard. It moved from the University of Michigan-Dearborn to the California State University, Fresno. The president of the Association is Dr. K. Bardakjian. More than 200 scholars and students are the members of the Association. The goal of the Association is to boost popularization of the issues connected with the Armenian history, culture, literature, political issues, to arrange symposiums and conferences. The Association publishes SAS Newsletter as well as a number of other scholastic periodicals8.
The chairs of the Armenian studies in the US
There are chairs of the Armenian studies in a number of the US universities.
The Chair of the Armenian Studies at Columbia University, New York, was established in 1965. The head of the chair is Mark Nshanian. The courses taught are the Armenian language, history of literature, history of the Armenian people and history of art. The chair publishes researches devoted to the Armenian studies, makes translations9.
Grigor Narekatsi Chair in Armenian Language and Literature at University of California, Los Angeles was founded in 1969 at the faculty of Near Eastern languages and cultures by Avedis Sanjian. Grabar, Armenian literature, history of language and culture, history are taught. The chair of the Armenian studies at UCLA helps specialists and students to take part in international conferences, prepares exhibitions of rare Armenian manuscripts and studies on special topics. The chair has its library and it prepares students for Masters Degree and for Ph.D. The head of the Chair is Peter Cowe. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - AEF (Armenian Educational Foundation) Chair of Modern Armenian History was established at UCLA faculty of history in 1988. Since 1962 till the establishment of the faculty the same educational programme had been implemented within the framework of the faculty of history due to the efforts of Prof. Richard Hovannisian. The programme includes topics on ancient, medieval, modern history, history of the Caucasus, historiography. The students are offered the Master’s Desgree and Ph.D. The head of the chair is Richard Hovannisian. Periodically within the scope of the activity of the chair conferences are held and researches are published10.
Armenian studies programmes in the US
The Armenian studies programme at Harvard University was established in 1960 at the Department of Eastern languages and civilizations at Harvard University (Cambridge). The programme includes the Armenian language, literature and history courses. The head of the programme is James Russell11.
The Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor origins from the Armenian language and history classes taught in1976 at the Department of Slavic Studies. The Armenian studies programmes has been coordinated by the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History at the Department of History since 1981 and by the Marie Manoogian Chair in the Armenian Language and Literature at the Slavic Department since 1987 (in 1997 the chair moved from Slavic to the Department of Near Eastern Studies). The chairs periodically hold conferences, arrange lectures. Various subjects concerning Armenian history, language, literature, culture are taught. Every year Summer Armenian Institute in Yerevan carries out speeded up Armenian language teaching programmes. The bulletin is published12.
Center for Armenian Studies at Fresno University has been functioning within the Armenian Studies Programme at California State University since 1970s and arranges Armenian Studies classes. Armenian studies programme was officially established in 1988 on T. Gyumujian’s initiative and under the sponsorship of Haik and Isabel Berberian. It covers themes regarding the Armenian language, literature, history, culture, church, architecture, the Armenian community in the US, today’s situation in Armenia. The programme sponsors Sahakian Library and Avedian Archives. Due to the efforts of the Center for Armenian Studies at Fresno University “Armenian power” and “Everything in Armenian” radio programmes are broadcasted, Hye Sharzhoom magazine is published. In 1992 the agreement between California State University and Yerevan State University on students and lecturers exchange was concluded. The Center for Armenian Studies at Fresno also arranges classes in Armenia13.
William Saroyan Armenian Studies Programme was established in 1994 at the Institute of Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies at Berkley University. Now it is a full-time programme which includes classes and lectures on the Armenian studies. The head of the programme is Stephan Astourian.
Armenian studies classes at California State University Northridge were established in 1983 at the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. A remarkable role in arranging the Armenian language and culture lessons is taken by the Union of Armenian Students and Hermine Mahserchian. In 2000 the progamme was officially recognized by the university and attached to the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. In 2004 the relations with Yerevan State University were established14.
The department of Armenian Christianity at Theological Seminary in Pasadena was established in 1983 under the management of G. Haleblyan. The graduates are offered Master’s and Doctor’s Degrees15.
Thus, the Armenian studies programmes is of great importance for the development of the Armenian studies in that country, teaching subjects, publishing literature connected with it. Those centers prepare specialists in Armenian history, language, literature, culture. Besides educational functions many Armenian studies centers undertake research activity, publish journals, periodicals, books. The Armenian studies centers in the US have great potential. Their cooperation with research and educational organizations in Armenia is of great importance. The involvement of the US Armenian studies centers in the works carried out in Armenia as well as the exchange of experience are also of paramount importance. Those centers may broaden the scope of their activity essentially if they act more organized and consolidated and if they strengthen their ties with Armenia. In this aspect there are still many things to do on behalf of both the Armenian studies centers in the US and educational and research organizations in the Republic of Armenia.
Journalists of the Armenian descent in the US
Our compatriot journalists have achieved a lot in many mass media all over the world. You can meet the names of the Armenian or half-Armenian journalists in printed press and Internet sources, blogs, on the radio or TV.
Names of at least 5 Armenian journalists living in Washington can be mentioned– Philip Terzian, Ken Dilanian, Charlie Mahdesian, Karoun Demirjian and David Ignatius. The number of the Armenian journalists is definitely bigger. It is known that the Armenian TV reporter works in the state of Maryland, the correspondent of the CQ Quarterly in Pentagon is also of Armenian descent; recently Shant Shavrikian has got a job in the English language service of the “Voice of America” radio station and etc.
There is some information about Philip Terzian in “Wikipedia”. He was born in Kensington, Maryland, in 1950 and worked in Anniston Star newspaper, US News and World Report and Reuters agencies, then he run the editorial positions in Los Angeles Times and Providence Journal. He had been a speechwriter for the US Secretary of State Cyrus Vance for two years. While working in leading mass media he was a finalist of Pulitzer Prize. Let us mention that William Saroyan won this authoritative price. At present our compatriot is the editor-in-chief of Weekly Stan¬dard, he lives in Washington, and his office is in the center of the capital.
Ken Dilanian has worked for many years in USA Today daily and mostly wrote articles about events in Congress, money turnover and corruption in political campaigns and political life. It is quite usual to see the publications of our compatriot on the front page of USA Today. Previously he worked in Philadelphia Inquirer, was sent to Iraq, had worked in Rome for a long time. In 2007 he won The Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism which is awarded by Philadelphia municipal authorities for exemplary reporting on children and families of the city. The celebrated American Armenian journalist has been working for Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Baltimore Sun newspapers since 2010.
Under the ABC Company Politico political daily is published. It is among the US 10 most authoritative mass media of political orientation. Here our compatriot Charles Mahdesian works. He has a great experience especially in the topics concerning elections, and is mostly specialized in the Congress elections. Charles Mahdesian is also one of the co-authors and editor of American Political Almanac annual. He speaks Armenian as well.
Karoun Demirjian works in Associated Press agency, and publishes articles for Chicago Tribune, Congressional Quarterly, The Christian Science Monitor. She worked for National Public Radio and CSPAN TV channel which broadcasts events in the US Congress and official circles on TV and on the Internet. She also worked in the UN system and finished Harvard University and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. According to the available data, Karoun Demirjian has been living in Massachusetts for recent months.
The name of David Ignatius became widely known after the Davos Forum in 2009 when the prime-minister of Turkey Recep Erdogan started controversy with the Israeli prime-minister Shimon Peres, so that David Ignatius who was the moderator had to interfere. David Ignatius is the vice-editor of The Washington Post. His father Paul Ignatius (or Poghos Ignatosian) was one of the high ranking figures in the US federal government. In 1967-1969 he was the US Secretary of the Navy and later on he occupied the position of the Deputy Minister of Defence. Paul Ignatius was also the president of The Washington Post and vice-president of The Washington Post Company holding. David Ignatius’ mother is American. Let us mention that David Ignatius is also the author of more than a dozen of novels. One of the novels entitled “Siro” describes the activity if the US CIA against the Soviet KGB. Some events in the book are taking place in the Soviet Armenia, as well as in Moscow, Istanbul and Ankara. This book with interesting and strained plot also refers to the Armenian Genocide.
It should also be mentioned that there are many Armenian journalists working in other cities of the US as well. In Northern Carolina Armen Hareyan who moved from Armenia lives. From time to time our compatriot from Georgia Olesya Vardanyan is being published in New York Times. Florance Avagian works in New York. Definitely, there are journalists of Armenian descent in other countries as well – in Canada, Uruguay, Argentina, France, Czech Republic, Lebanon, Iran and etc16.
In order to develop the ties between Armenian journalists from all over the world, boost cooperation and friendly relations Pan-Armenian Network of Journalists functions. www.yeghishe.am web-site has visitors from more than 20 states and its aim is also to re-publish the articles of the Armenian journalists thus making it available to the Armenian reader from all over the world.
1In this context the role of the US Armenian community in the process of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, and particularly, its recognition by the US, is remarkable.
2Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, Երևան, 2003, էջ 68։
3See particularly http://www.zoryaninstitute.org
4See particularly http://www.gomidas.org
5See particularly http://www.armenian-genocide.org
6See particularly http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/armenian/
7See particularly http://www.naasr.org
8See particularly http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/sas/
9Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, Երևան, 2003, էջ 69։
10Ibid, p. 69-70:
11See particularly http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~nelc/armenian.html
12See particularly http://www.umich.edu/~iinet/asp/AboutUs/Program%20Information/history.html
13See particularly Ղանալանյան Տ., Հայերն ԱՄՆ-ում (Ֆրեզնոյի Հայկական ուսումնասիրությունների կենտրոնի օրինակով) - http://noravank.am/arm/issues/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=2334
14 http://asbarez.com/59153/csun-celebrates-25th-anniversary-of-armenian-studies-program-honors-former-director-hermine-mahseredjian/
15Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, Երևան, 2003, էջ 70:
16There are at least 3 Armenian journalists in Bulgarian 24 часа newspaper: Ani Parmaksizian, Parsegh Shubaralyan and Edward Papazian; our compatriots occupy administrative positions in Russian Regnum agency: Vigen Hakobyan who is the deputy editor of the agency, at the same occupied the position of the editor-in-chief.
The material was prepared by Tigran Ghanalanyan and Haykaram Nahapetyan
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