From Idea to Reality:The Development of Armenian Studies in the U.S. from the 1890s to 1969

A Talk by
Marc A. Mamigonian Director of Academic Affairs, NAASR

This presentation of a work-in-progress will give an overview of the gradual growth of Armenian Studies in the United States, which over the course of about 70 years evolved from the work of a few individuals who were interested in Armenian linguistic and religious issues to an established field of study encompassing Armenian language, church, history, art, and literature, in leading American universities.

Among the episodes to be discussed will be several unsuccessful attempts to establish a center of Armenian Studies in the U.S. in the 1930s and 1940s and the successful efforts of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) and other groups and individuals to
establish permanent programs or endowed chairs in Armenian Studies beginning in the mid-1950s.

Marc A. Mamigonian is Director of Academic Affairs at AASR, where he has worked since 1998. He is the author of various articles on the works of James Joyce as well as numerous articles and reviews on Armenian subjects. He is the editor of the volumes The Armenians of New England
(http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=6yserlbab&et=1104929278048&s=1020&e=001MQ6symVSAQdWWKaYg8ekoXqEtSfLYPjnI4pTKTsQTN6uCNQ8OYWjm1bEMelqiF-YQpwWexVEo_71Dx0V3Zze-uhC34Jfy4tnq0cGgjvqKmApd_LSR-udLtmPolapkbT0LzexqpAT_VpAlYWY_P53YofjGfcqDPAYxgkY4VDrfXI3u1ZpLUptVg==)
and Rethinking Armenian
Studies
(http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=6yserlbab&et=1104929278048&s=1020&e=001MQ6symVSAQdwO0LJfz2LVIDJUnIaZGt1qQlPm7H7IQZyOqk-jIHiNr1adciYVUxISLt9DA5UHxj9cWsV8tWBqGOuqly42P1_eyXbLgomV2mEpfsF7Qkym_6_muyxfUBOtrL5Yii-uNghuR8D4S8gNd_DaYGigj6YPy6-mbbofJi2ygnwBN4cug==)
as well as NAASR's Journal of Armenian
Studies.
Other Upcoming NAASR Events:
Thursday, March 24-Sunday, March 27: Four lectures by Dr. Hayk Demoyan in Los Angeles area.

Thursday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.: "Armenian Sports and Athleticism in the Ottoman Empire" (in Armenian). Location: 2324 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Co-sponsored by Homenetmen Regional Executive Committee, Armenian NationalCommittee of America-Western Region, Organization of Istanbul Armenians,Ararat-Eskijian Museum, and NAASR.

Friday, March 25, 8:00 p.m.: "Armenian Sports and Athleticism in the OttomanEmpire" (in Armenian). Location: Organization of Istanbul Armenians Center, 19726 Sherman Way, Winnetka, CA. Co-sponsored by Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, Organization of Istanbul Armenians, Ararat-Eskijian Museum, and NAASR.

Saturday, March 26, 6:00 p.m.: "The Armenian Genocide: Centennial Anniversary and Commemoration Strategies" (in English). Location: Ararat-Eskijian Museum,15105 Mission Hills Rd., Mission Hills, CA. Co-sponsored by Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, Organization of Istanbul Armenians, Ararat-Eskijian Museum, and NAASR. This event is presented with the generous support of the Hampartzoum & Ovsanna Chitjian Foundation.

Sunday, March 27, 4:00 p.m.: "The Armenian Genocide: Centennial Anniversary and Commemoration Strategies" (in English). Location: Woodbury University, 7500 N.
Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA. Co-sponsored by: Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region, Organization of Istanbul Armenians, Ararat-Eskijian Museum, Woodbury University Armenian Student Association, and NAASR.

Wednesday, March 30, 8:00 p.m.: Finding Zabel Yesayan, a documentary by Lara Aharonian and Talin Suciyan, followed by discussion with Talin Suciyan.
Co-sponsored by the Armenian International Women's Association and NAASR, in association with the Armenian Research Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Location: NAASR Center, 395 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA 02478.

Thursday, April 7, 7:00 p.m.: Prof. Richard Hovannisian, "In Search of Armenian Cilicia." Co-sponsored by the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators and NAASR. Location: Church of the Holy Translators, 38 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA.

Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.: Tufts University Armenian Genocide Commemoration with lecture by Michael Bobelian, "America and the Armenian Genocide: The Quest for Justice from Wilson to Obama." Co-sponsored by Tufts University, the Darakjian-Jafarian Chair in Armenian History, the Department of History, and NAASR. Location: Goddard Chapel, Tufts University, followed by reception at Ballou Hall.

NAASR