Armenian Studies Program Enjoying Record Number of Students Pursuing a Minor

Sosse Baloian

Staff Writer

The Armenian Studies Program Minor at Fresno State requires students to complete six to seven courses in Armenian language, art, culture, literature, and history. In the Fall of 2019 more than 30 students, an all-time high, have registered to complete their Minor in Armenian Studies.

Dustin Vartanian

Business Management

What does pursuing a Minor in Armenian Studies mean to you?

It means that I have spent time and effort learning about my heritage. It makes me even more proud to be an Armenian. Also, the knowledge that people receive when they complete this Minor is important to me.

Why would you encourage students to Minor?

I would encourage other students to minor in Armenian Studies because the program is excellent. You actually learn something. All of the professors are awesome. Plus, you build a tight bond with others minoring in Armenian Studies.

What made you decide to Minor?

I have always wanted to speak the language and learn more about my heritage. I realized this is probably the best opportunity I will get to accomplish those things.

How does a Minor in Armenian Studies contribute to your career goals?

Being involved in the Armenian Studies Program has helped me make several connections with people. Connections are always important, no matter which career path I choose.

What have you learned about Armenian culture before taking Armenian Studies classes?

I have learned a lot and I could talk forever about all the new things I have learned. 

Michaela Zepure Walkup

Landscape Architecture Design

What does pursuing a Minor mean to you?

This Minor connects me to my heritage more than I could have anticipated. I have been able to connect a bit more to the older generation of my family now that I have more knowledge of Armenian history, language, and public figures. Each class gives me an opportunity to demonstrate what I have learned.

Why would you encourage students to Minor?

If an individual is Armenian, I would definitely encourage pursuing the minor. We are fortunate enough to be students of a university that offers the Minor and the opportunity to learn more about our heritage.

What made you decide to Minor?

Originally, I decided to Minor for the financial benefits. I was awarded a scholarship my first semester at Fresno State and found out that those who Minor in the Program are more likely to win additional scholarships in future semesters. Towards the end of my first semester, I grew really fond of the classes I was taking and I was happy with my decision.

What have you learned about Armenian culture that you did not know before taking Armenian Studies classes?

The noteworthy subjects for me were the Armenian language courses. My Western Armenian is limited, but it is leaps and bounds better now in comparison prior to my enrollment at Fresno State. I can genuinely understand my family members when they are conversing in small talk.

Marina Chardukian

Liberal Studies

What does pursuing a Minor in Armenian Studies mean to you?

Completing my Armenian Stud-ies Minor means that I have a deeper understanding of my Armenian culture, and learning about everything it entails such as the church, the language, and the traditions have all been passed down from generation to generation. Now I am able to fully value our rich culture and understand not only the Armenians in the Central Valley, but all over the world.

Why would you encourage students to Minor in Armenian Studies?

As Armenians, we need to educate ourselves on the Armenian language, history, and culture. At Fresno State, we are so lucky to have a whole department devoted to teaching students about the rough and beautiful history of how we got to where we are now.

What made you decide to Minor?

When I started at Fresno State, my sister was more than halfway done with her degree and she was working towards getting her Minor in Armenian Studies, so it made sense for me to do it too. By taking Armenian Studies classes, it has helped me sharpen my understanding of my place in the world.

How does a Minor contribute to your career goals?

Since I’m working to become an elementary school teacher, completing a Minor in Armenian Studies has made me more culturally aware. I am Armenian, but I have come to appreciate my own culture as well as others like it. 

What have you learned about Armenian culture before taking Armenian Studies classes?

I knew bits and pieces from what I learned as a kid in Sunday school about the early Christian Armenians. Taking classes at Fresno State was amazing.

Yervand Boyajian

Philosophy – Pre-Law

What does pursuing a Minor in Armenian Studies mean to you?

It is a way for me learn about my heritage and my people’s history. Before I didn’t know much Armenian history or culture. 

Why would you encourage students to Minor?

I have told a lot of my Armenian friends coming to Fresno State to look into it because I feel like they could learn a lot about their culture. Being Armenian, I know they do not know as much as they should. Also, there are numerous scholarships offered at Fresno State through the Armenian Studies Program.

What made you decide to Minor?

I was born in Yerevan, Armenia and left for the United States at six years old. Even though I was born in the Republic of Armenia, I knew too little. I did not really go to school there, so I did not know how to read or write well. I thought taking Armenian language courses would help me with that. I was going to take an Armenian Studies class every semester anyways, so Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian encouraged me to Minor.

How does a completing a Minor in Armenian Studies contribute to your career goals?

I want to be a lawyer and join the Armenian Bar Association. One of the main things I want to look into are Armenian international problems. A lot of Armenians are opening up cases against the Turkish government to try and get their land back, land their ancestors owned. I am motivated by these cases because my great grandfather also has land back in what was historical Armenia.

What have you learned about Armenian culture, that you did not know before taking classes in the Program?

I learned a lot about the churches in Armenian Studies 20-Arts of Armenia and about the famous Armenian writers in Armenian 148-Masterpieces of Armenian Culture. 

I learned about what these authors wrote and their view points in terms of what was going on historically. I also took a class with Dr. Ümit Kurt, a Turkish Genocide scholar, who offered an interesting perspective on the Armenian Genocide.