Course Syllabus:

Objective:  To explore ways in which a culture's artistic traditions are a reflection of societal values.  This topic will be addressed in a general sense as well as in the specific context of Turkish culture and will require an interdisciplinary approach that combines disciplines such as ethnomusicology, anthropology, comparative religion, and psychology.  In the process, you will be exposed to a variety of non-Western and folk artistic practices through immersion in Turkish culture.  You will also develop a sensitivity for experiencing and understanding different approaches to cultural forms of expression and a critical vocabulary for understanding the visual and performing arts as a cultural practice.

Grading Policy

30% Participation

In order for this class to be successful, it is essential that you participate fully in the various activities.  You must participate in workshops, ask questions of tour guides, make insightful comments, make impromptu presentations, and display an open mindedness and enthusiasm for the subject matter.

20% Journal due on 1/24 (see below)

20% Final essay (see below)

15% Oral “Presentations” on personal topics (see below)

15% Responsibility

This involves being on time for all activities, not oversleeping, punctuality, working effectively with our group, checking out of hotels promptly, helping others, not holding up the group, acting appropriately, demonstrating respect for our hosts and guides, etc.

Personal Topics

Since there are so many facets to this course, each member of the class will be expected to be a mini expert on one or more of the topics below.   This topic will help focus your experience and knowledge of the area, and the class as a whole will undoubtedly benefit from your expertise.  You should plan on doing research for your topic during the fall term.  You may pick a topic with someone else, and you are free to do your research and discuss issues related to your research in pairs, but be prepared to speak and write individually. 

We will try to meet as often as possible for discussion periods, in which you may be called on to discuss your topic intelligently and articulately or lead a discussion.  You may also be called on to discuss your topic at particular sites and attractions.  Your topic will additionally color your travel journal and final essay. 

Please contact me by mid-October to flesh out your topic ideas.  You are more than welcome to research a topic not on this list.

Possible personal topics (these are suggestions only – you are welcome to find additional topics)

Sufism (music and dance in Sufism)

The role of women in Islam

Islamic architecture and tiling

Islamic attitudes toward music

Islamic  crafts

Contemporary issues in Turkish politics (i.e. racism, efforts at Westernization, globalization,  etc.)

Classical Turkish music

Turkish dance traditions

Turkish literature

Oral traditions (storytelling)

Folk traditions,  such as shadow puppets

Ottoman history and culture

Classical Greek heritage in Turkey

Anthropology/Sociology of art and music

Social practices and organization

Islamic theology and practices

The following topics may help further guide your research and focus your thoughts for your journal entries, presentations, and final essay:

Art and Religion

• What is the role of the visual and performing arts in shaping religious rituals?

• How can the arts engender a sense of religious community?

• How can the arts express specific principles of religious faith? 

• What are the explicit and implicit relationships between artistic substance and ideology?

• How can the arts be used as tools for expressing, preserving, and empowering sacred texts?

• How are the arts used to create transformative experiences?

Art and Memory

• How can the arts be used as a tool to preserve cultural memory?

• In what ways are the arts an expression of cultural identity?

• How are artistic traditions transmitted?

• How does the tension between tradition and innovation, particularly from outside influences, shape the content of and attitudes toward the visual and performing arts?

High Art vs. Low Art

• How do cultures distinguish between high and low forms of artistic expression?

• What, if any, is the role of improvisation in artistic expression?

• What are the differences between individual and collective forms of artistic expression?

• How are the visual and performing arts expressed in everyday life?

Art and Society

• How is"good" art judged?

• What are societal attitudes about art?

• How do the performing and visual arts create and maintain social values?

• How can a culture’s art be a reflection of the environment (physical, cultural, social) in which that art is produced?

Travel Journal

You must keep a travel journey for the duration of this class.  There should be an entry for each day of the trip, as well as entries before and after the trip.  Ideally your entries will be between 1/2 page and 2 pages each (everyone works differently). 

Plan A.  In an ideal world, there will be some experience or encounter each day that relates to your readings, research, class discussions, etc.  Comment on this on a regular basis.

Plan B.  If we do not encounter something specifically relevant to your topic or readings, pick something each day that affects you most strongly (like, dislike, humor, horror, wonder).  If you can make a link to your topic or readings, do so.   Show creativity.   E.g., if you are working on the role of women in Islamic society, you might comment on and inquire about women’s roles in traditional music making in Turkey.

Your journal should be maintained while abroad.  Upon return, select your three best entries.  After careful revisions and polishing, you must submit your entries to me by email no later than Jan. 24.  Late submissions will NOT be accepted.

Journals will be evaluated based on:

Quality of writing, grammar etc. Your journals should be well written.

Substance.  Your journal should provide substantive assessments, evaluations, observations of your experience abroad that are consistent with the readings, your personal topic, guided lectures, and class presentations and discussions.  Random thoughts, although interesting, are not acceptable. 

Final Essay

You must also submit by email, no later than Jan. 24, a 4-5 page, double-spaced essay.  This essay may focus on your personal topic, or it may be more broad-ranging, incorporating readings, your topic, guided lectures, and class presentations and discussions.  In any case, unlike the travel journal entries that focused on specific experiences, your final essay is an attempt to synthesize your various experiences and understand them as a whole in light of your readings, research, etc.  You must begin this in advance of the trip and flesh it out with the knowledge you gained while abroad.  You are also likely to draw upon other entries from your travel journals. 

Late submissions will NOT be accepted.

Absence/Lateness Policy

Unexcused absences will result in lowering your final grade for the course.  Lateness (for outings, departures, etc.) will also adversely affect your final grade.  (Remember alarm clocks and wake-up service at hotels!!).