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Armenian Studies Event at USF Explores Ethics, National Security, Genocide
Armenian Studies Event at USF Explores Ethics, National Security, Genocide
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
University of South Florida, Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center
The USF Libraries Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center continued their ongoing effort to raise public awareness and encourage the teaching of tolerance with the presentation of the second annual Armenian Studies Symposium on November 4th, 2011. Free and open to the public, attendees filled the Grace Allen Room to capacity, even standing in adjacent rooms to listen in.
Dr. Taner Akcam
Respected Armenian Genocide studies scholar Taner Akçam gave a keynote talk on the Turkish government’s justification for suppressing free speech in the name of national security, a practice with far-reaching implications, from classrooms to contemporary international relations. Akçam‘s talk was followed by a panel discussion featuring USF scholars Edward Kissi, Rachel May, and Steven C. Roach comparing the Turkish situation to the US treatment of Native Americans and it’s long period of slavery, and other genocides around the world throughout history. If you were not able to attend, you can watch a video of the November 4th event here.
The Armenian Studies event was one in a series of public events the USF Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center has hosted with the aim of calling attention to the intolerant behaviors that have led to genocides and crimes against humanity, in hopes of preventing future genocides and hate crimes. USF Holocaust and genocide studies librarian Musa Olaka relates how the Armenian programming fits into the bigger picture: “The Armenian Studies initiative provides resources and inroads for USF faculty and students to engage in critical study of comparative genocide, genocide denial, and the fight against genocidal ideology around the world.”
USF Scholars Edward Kissi, Steven C. Roach, and Rachel May
In addition to print media coverage in the Maddux Report and the Armenian press, the event was reported on by WMNF radio, 88.5. Listen to the in-depth radio report.
Do you want to support education, programming and collections that can help create a better world?
Contact USF to advance these and other efforts: Merrell Dickey (813) 974-1654 mdickey@usf.edu.
SOURCE: University of South Florida, Holocaust & Genocide Studies Program
Dr. Taner Akcam to Address the Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium at the University of South Florida
Dr. Taner Akcam to Address the Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium at the University of South Florida
Tampa, FL – Next month, the University of South Florida (USF) Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center (HGSC) will hold its Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium. Prominent Turkish historian Dr. Taner Akcam will present the topic of Armenian Genocide denial within the context of Turkish national security policy and international relations. Dr. Akçam’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with USF faculty Steven C. Roach and Edward Kissi.
Dr. Taner Akçam is the Robert Aram, Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marion Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachussetts. He has authored dozens of books and articles on the topic of Armenian Genocide denial, Turkish politics and human rights. He also serves on the editorial board of “Genocide Studies & Prevention,” the official journal of the International Association of Genocide Scholars.
Recently, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of Dr. Akcam in a case he brought before the court against the government of Turkey for charges filed against him under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, the same law that precipitated the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2009. The ECHR found that Article 301 violates the European Convention on Human Rights and runs counter to the values of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Hrant Dink, Dr. Akcam and several journalists and academics in Turkey have been charged with “denigrating the Turkish nation” for speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.
Everyone is invited on the afternoon of Friday, November 4, 2011 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm to attend the Symposium. It will be held in the USF Tampa Library’s Grace Allen Room (4th floor), and is free and open to the public.
For more information, please see the USF-HGSC website here.
* This story was updated on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 9:20 pm.
