Istanbul Summer: From the Stone Age to the Drone Age

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Embark on a transformative three-week cultural immersion trip through Türkiye (Turkey), a land where civilizations have converged for millennia, bridging Europe and Asia. This “integration” course explores the confluence of religion and geopolitics through Türkiye’s rich tapestry of history encoded in iconic sites. With two weeks in Istanbul and one on the road, students will explore the secular vision of Atatürk, Byzantine marvels like Aya Sofia, Ottoman splendors at Topkapi Palace, and spiritual centers such as Konya and Ephesus. Students will engage with pivotal moments in recent and deep history like the origin of religion in the Stone Age, fall/conquest of Constantinople in 1453, and the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War, while reflecting on Türkiye’s role as a cultural crossroads through ancient and contemporary migrations. What does it mean for Türkiye, a predominantly Muslim nation and former center of the great Ottoman Empire, to be a NATO ally of the West? How has Türkiye managed its relations with its neighbors, caught between the European war of Ukraine/Russia and Middle Eastern conflicts of the Levant/Israel? This epic learning tour will lead us through encounters with ancient civilizations of the Hellenes and the wonderous heritages of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Of special interest for Notre Dame students will be experiencing the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia and a pilgrimage to the House of Mary in Ephesus. With ample time for independent exploration, this cultural odyssey through time connects past and present through multi- and trans-disciplinary lenses.