PSIA Hosts Hrant Dink Visiting Fellow Cengiz Aktar

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Master of Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program hosted Professor Cengiz Aktar from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as this year’s Hrant Dink visiting fellow. During his visit, Professor Aktar participated in two events at AUA and guest lectured at several classes.

On March 31, Professor Aktar participated in a public panel discussion titled “Towards the Centennial of the Turkish Republic: Imperial Continuities and Ruptures.” Among the panelists along with Professor Aktar were Associate Professor and Assistant to the Interim President on Academic Affairs Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan and adjunct lecturer Dr. Varak Ketsemanian. Associate Professor and PSIA Interim Program Chair Dr. Asbed Kotchikian moderated the panel discussion also sharing his views on the topic.

During the discussion, the panel examined the concept of continuity in retributive justice. According to Professor Aktar, the three decades long ethno-religious cleansing in Anatolia (1894-1924) is considered as the founding feature of the modern Turkish polity. The homogenization, like in every nation-building process, has occurred under duress and violence. In the Turkish case, however, it was particularly more severe: genocides, pogroms, and forcible displacements and deportations of around three million Ottoman and then Turkish citizens. Moreover, these catastrophes went unaccounted, unanswered, unpunished, deresponsibilized, and dememorized. Still, in the long run, they perverted the polity as a whole, along with the state and society. “Genetic” contempt for the rule of law and justice through responsibility, accountability, and punishment derive from those factors, constituting a post-facto retributive justice for the committed crimes. 

Another event with Professor Aktar took place on April 3, titled “Turkey 2023: Conversation With Professor Cengiz Aktar.” As Turkey is preparing to celebrate the Republic’s centennial, recent developments and trends have led the country to an uncertain future. Following the latest changes, Professor Aktar shared some insights and observations on what the future may hold for Turkey. The discussion was followed by a Q&A session, during which students and faculty had the opportunity to expand on the topic.

With this event, Professor Aktar concluded his one-month fellowship. AUA looks forward to future collaborations with visiting scholars. 

The Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA) equips students with advanced analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills through the study of political science and international affairs, emphasizing local and global perspectives and practical applications of theory. The program provides world-class teaching and research, producing graduates who can best contribute to the development of the nation.

AUA is pleased to announce the launch of its two new graduate degree programs: Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy (MAIRD) and Master of Public Affairs (MPA) in the College of Humanities and Social Science (CHSS). The two degree programs are set to begin in Fall 2023.