Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Canadian Scholar Dr. Isabel Kaprielian Appointed
The appointment of Dr. Isabel Kaprielian to the Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Professor of Modern Armenian and Immigration History at California State University Fresno adds a different perspective to the university’s Armenian studies courses.
The Kazan Endowed Professorship is intended to develop a major emphasis on studies of Armenians in the diaspora, their immigration and settlement in North America, the Armenian Genocide, and modern Armenian history. CSU Fresno recently awarded Professor Kaprielian a Legislative Grant to start up an oral history project focusing on the history of Armenians in Fresno County and to collect archival material, like photographs and documents, relating to that experience. Discussions are also underway with the Armenian-American Citizens League regarding using Professor Kaprielianís advice and expertise in establishing a museum of Armenian artifacts pertaining to settlement in the San Joaquin Valley. Because the Armenian community in Fresno has thrived for over a century, it deserves to be examined by scholars interested in how a diaspora group evolves and flourishes, how it balances a commitment to its cultural heritage rooted in the old land and its commitment to the cultural richness of the new land,î Prof. Kaprielian remarked.
She is a professor in the History Department and is also cross-appointed to the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. ìIn addition to undergraduate programs, the History Department offers masters programs. We are hoping to expand the graduate component of Armenian history in the future,î Prof. Kaprielian added. Her special areas of teaching and research include: immigration and ethnic studies, genocide and renewal, the Armenian diaspora, refugees, education of minorities, and the history of women and children.
Shortly after taking up her post at Fresno State last year, Prof. Kaprielian organized a successful symposium that drew an overflow audience to the Alice Peters auditorium. Entitled ìArmenians in the Raisin Industry: 1890-90,î the symposium brought together academics and community participants to discuss one of the most successful branches of Armenian endeavor in the San Joaquin valley. Because of the community’s interest in the topic, the papers from the symposium are now being compiled into a book.
Fresno State attracted Prof. Kaprielian from a senior research post at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, where she was known as a scholar of Armenians in Canada and of issues related to immigration, the Armenian genocide, and refugee settlement and rehabilitation. In Toronto she also taught in graduate and undergraduate programs at Ryerson Polytechnic University, York University, and the University of Toronto.
Professor Kaprielian has presented academic papers in many forums in Canada, the United States, Armenia, and Europe. She recently gave a paper at the Paris Conference of the Armenian International Womenís Association entitled ìIntermarriage: Integration or Alienation?î The paper, which examines the issue of intermarriage within the scope of community development, will appear shortly in the conference proceedings.
A prolific writer, Prof. Kaprielian has authored more than thirty scientific articles, four books and a variety of materials for schools. Prof. Kaprielianís books include: The Pulse of the World: Refugees in our Schools, Facing Pluralism: the Future of Francophone and Acadian Communities in a Pluralistic Society, and Polyphony: Armenians in Ontario.
In addition to her scholarly work, Professor Kaprielian has produced three video documentaries in Armenian and English about Armenian picture brides and Armenian orphans following the genocide. The mes relating to family and community are extremely important in her writing, particularly as they portray the story of the revival of community life after the genocide.
Dr. Kaprielianís major history of Armenians in Canada entitled Like Our Mountains: Armenians in Canada, is forthcoming. Her current research and writing focuses on orphans and orphanages in the post-genocide period.