Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Hagop Ohanessian
Staff Writer
Dr. George Bournoutian, Professor of History at Iona College in New York, has been appointed as the seventh Henry Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies for the Spring 2009 semester. This semester he is teaching a three-unit course on the Armenian Diaspora and Genocide, Monday evenings from 6:00-8:50 PM.
The course is primarily focused on the Armenian Diaspora that began with the fall of the Arshakuni Kingdom, the first partition of Armenia in the fourth century, and continuing through the political upheavals of the twentieth century, up to the present day. Prior to his arrival in Fresno, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Bournoutian.
When asked about his main research and areas of expertise, Dr. Bournoutian stated, “Since Iona does not have an Armenian course, I teach the history of the Middle East and Eastern Europe at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, I have been invited to teach Armenian history at Tufts, Columbia, New York University, Rutgers, University of Connecticut, and Ramapo College. My research is primarily on the history of Eastern Armenia from 1450 to 1850. Except for my textbook, A Concise History of the Armenian People, the rest of my books are on the Iranian and Russian rule of eastern Armenia (Erevan, Nakhichevan, Karabagh, and Ganja) in those 400 years. For the last ten years I have concentrated my efforts on translating rare primary sources into annotated English versions for the benefit of those who cannot read the originals.”
For the past thirty years, Dr. Bournoutian has been fortunate to lead study groups (students, faculty, staff and friends) to every continent, including Antarctica. He has visited some 125 countries, some of them more than once, always seeking evidence of Armenian Diaspora communities.
Professor Bournoutian believes in research and seminars that encourage student participation, rather than rote memorization or repeating what the professor presents. Each student in his class will choose a topic on the Diaspora or the Genocide and write a research paper.
Professor Bournoutian is looking forward to coming to Fresno and teaching in the Armenian Studies Program. He is especially looking forward to the warm weather and the fruits of Fresno. According to him, “I have always dreamed of teaching a class at Fresno State. I have a high regard for the Armenian Studies Program and its professors.”
It is wonderful to see the excitement that Dr. Bournoutian is bringing with him and the enthusiasm he has to teach in the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. As students and faculty, we welcome Professor Bournoutian and this course will be even more interesting because of his research on the topics. For more information on the course and three public lectures by Professor Bournoutian, please contact the Armenian Studies Program at 559-278-2669.