Araştırma Merkezleri

INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE WORKSHOP '09

JUNE 21-27, 2009

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

OKAN UNIVERSITY

RESEARCH CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL STUDIES

The Workshop was held on June 21-27, 2009 at Okan University, with
events organized on the campus as well as at different locations in the city of Istanbul.
In order to have a sense of what we did last year, you can find below
the descriptions of the courses and activities.

Courses and Activities

Interrogating Cultural Identities - Disrupting Cultural Misconceptions

Following discussions on such basic concepts as identity, perception,
gender, religion, and traditional values, which in different cultures
play a key role in communication in intercultural environment,
participants will be asked to make individual and/or group
presentations about various aspects of their own cultural backgrounds,
demonstrating a critical approach to their subjects and related
misconceptions.

Turkish Politics

To enable a better understanding of the current political/social
scene, participants will be introduced to the historical background of
the modern Turkish State, focusing on continuities and differences
between the late Ottoman modernization project and the Republic.
Following a discussion on the transformation of the institutions that
have shaped Turkish politics and society, current events and
state-society relations will be highlighted.

Istanbul in Focus as a Site of Urban Expansion: The Rural & the Urban
& the In-Between

The subject of discussion will be the past and present of Istanbul as
a site of urban transformation and expansion. Blurring the borders
between Europe and Asia, between western and eastern models of
settlement, between urban and rural areas, Istanbul triggers different
questions about the nature of the gigantic metropolis. The questions
themselves and their possible answers can stimulate the discussion of
conceptions/misconceptions to be explored during the course of the
Workshop.

City tours to Istanbul are considered to be an integral part of this
course. Participants will have a chance to visit different parts of
Istanbul, museums or art galleries on organized city tours. There will
also be screenings of Turkish films and a session on modern Turkish
fiction, with readings (in English translation) from acclaimed
writers.

To see some photos from this workshop, click