Reid Appointed Kazan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies

Alex Bunch
Staff Writer

Dr. James Reid has been appointed the fifth Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies at Fresno State for the Spring 2006 semester.

Dr. Reid will be teaching a three-unit course, Armenian Studies 120T, “The Armenian Genocide in History and through Eyewitness Accounts,” which will be offered on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00-4:50 PM. The Spring 2006 semester begins on Wednesday, January 18.

Armenian Studies 120T examines the historical context that led to the Armenian genocide. This course looks at the Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire, as well as other Christian groups. Emphasis will rest with understanding events that occurred from the mid-1870s to 1920 through eyewitness narratives.

Some part of the course will study Ottoman perpetrators and why they committed to the plan of genocide and massacre. The class will teach about the Armenian Genocide not as a single event, but rather it will be examined through eyewitness testimonies, because every testimony has something different to say, and therefore examining these testimonies will be the primary focus of the class.

When asked why he was interested in the Armenian Genocide, Dr. Reid said, “From my teenage years, I have seen the results of war and destruction in Europe, and among the Americans. I myself have faced innumerable, dangerous situations, where the issue of life and death confronted my wife and me.

Through all of these experiences I realized that academic endeavor must serve the needs of human beings. The importance of life and the value humans place on life must come first.”

“I will teach a course focusing on the Armenian Genocide. The course will approach the issue from survivors’ memoirs and oral histories, plus an examination of what Genocide is in general terms, with a look at why the Ottoman state perpetrated Genocide against the Armenians and other Christian minorities of Anatolia between 1894 and 1923,” said Dr. Reid.

Dr. Reid received his BA degree from UC Berkeley, an MA in History from the University of Santa Clara, and his PhD in Middle Eastern History and Persian Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Reid has published many articles and books. His last book was Crisis of the Ottoman Empire:

Prelude to Collapse, which examines the Ottoman Empire and its military problems. Dr. Reid’s most recent book is titled Archilocus’ Shield: War and Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, 1839-1878. He has written numerous articles, which have been published in journals such as Journal of Genocide Research, The Armenian Review, Balkan Studies, and the Journal of Modern Hellenism.

Regularly enrolled students at Fresno State may enroll in the class through the Fresno State website.

Community members are invited to enroll in the three-unit course by calling the Armenian Studies Program office. There is a $50 fee to enroll.

For more information on the course please contact the Armenian Studies Program at 278-2669.