A Cross-Boundary Discourse: The AGSA Colloquium

By Jano Boghossian
Janoboghossian@ucla.edu

The Armenian Graduate Students’ Association held its eighth annual Colloquium on Armenian Studies on Friday, February 19, 2010 in Royce Hall 314. The presenters this year were invited from Italy, Poland, Armenia, and Turkey to present their papers on a wide variety of topics. The first session was on Armeno-Turkish literary ties, with two Turkish scholars presenting the issues of comparative literature between the two nations, as well as the narrativization of the Genocide in Turkey. The remaining sessions included discussions on history, linguistics, comparative literature, theology, anthropology, and art history.

Doris Melkonian, a doctoral student in Social Research Methodology in Education, was one of the organizers of the event. She described this year’s colloquium as “the best colloquium we’ve had in terms of the quality of the papers, the high turnout, and the level of audience engagement and enthusiasm.” Following each session, there was a discussion between the panelists and the audience.

Melkonian said they have always had international speakers presenting at the annual colloquium, and the first time a Turkish student presented was in 2008.

Alaettin Carikci, who was present at the 2008 colloquium said, “Every year, I feel that both the quality of the presenters and the level of organization develop, and that the interdisciplinary aspect of the articles increases. This multi-disciplinary framework helps young scholars like me establish networks and relationships with other scholars from other disciplines. I am glad to see that bilateral cultural exchange between Armenians and Turks are developing as a result of this colloquium.”

The Graduate Student Colloquium in Armenian Studies provides a forum for students interested in the field to engage with scholars already researching in the area to further their depth and interest in Armenian Studies.