This course provides a cross-cultural study of books and reading in world societies and how ethnic, religious, and national cultures have regarded the printed word now and in the past. Looking at the form of the book from cuneiform to contemporary digital texts, students will also have hands-on examination of rare volumes to help them learn about cultural approaches over time to sacred, political, and secular writings, and to provide them the technical and cultural contexts for contemporary reading habits, particularly through social media.

As part of this ethnological approach, they will also examine the values, purposes, and material expressions attached to books and libraries, and how a given culture or nation may relate to the culture of the world at large in these ways.

There will be a study tour to Istanbul, Turkey over Spring Break.  In addition to work with the holdings of UC’s Archives & Rare Books Library, there will be field excursions to local repositories and exhibitions to study books and manuscripts.

Tentative Intinerary

Friday – depart Cincinnati for Istanbul

Saturday – arrive Istanbul, check in to hotel.  Tour the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Spice Market.

Sunday – walking tour of Sahaflar Çarşısı, the “Book Bazaar” through the Gate of the Spoonmakers; examination of contemporary signage and of graphic novels.

Monday – discussion with students of Koç University on reading and social media; explore contemporary reading habits in Istanbul.  Evening cruise and dinner on the Bosphorus.

Tuesday – tour of the Museum of Calligraphy and Ebristan Istanbul paper marbling house; tour of the Museum of Innocence of Nobel Literary Laureate Orhan Pamuk to study how a novel was brought to life in a physical format.

Wednesday – visit the Istanbul Sanat Araştırmaları Derneği book arts centre; tour the Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi and its traditional manuscripts.  Evening dinner with traditional Turkish dancing.

Thursday – tour Topkapi Palace and the Islamic manuscript holdings; tour of the Blue Mosque and learn how traditional Turkish designs are used in printed form; tour of Hagia Sophia.

Friday – return to Cincinnati.

Other activities may include palace visits and local sports such as soccer and Turkish oil wrestling.

Course Information

Course details:

     •  Course number is HNRS3074

     •  Meets on Saturdays at a TBD time

     •  Course Attributes: H, I

     •  BoK: DC, HU

     •  Credit hours: 3

     •  Honors Seminar

Course Expectations

Students are expected to meet the instructor's academic and behavioral expectations during the class time leading up to the travel component. Students who do not meet academic and/or behavioral expectations will not be permitted to travel. Students in this situation will not receive a refund.

Cost

Expected costs will be updated as final travel plans are made and are highly contingent upon airfare.

Costs include airfare, accommodations, some meals, some ground transportation, admissions, and tickets.

Costs do not include passport, tips, some meals, snacks, personal supplies, souvenirs, or ISIC (international student identity card, $25).

Students are required to purchase an ISIC (International Student Identification Card) from UC International for $25. This is not included in the total expected cost.

Participants can apply for grants from UC International.

Application

Application required - the application will be available in late 13SS.

Applicants will be asked to schedule a time to interview with Prof. Kevin Grace, the course professor.

UC undergraduates who are not in the University Honors Program are welcome and encouraged to apply, provided the student has a cumulative university GPA of 3.4 or above. Graduate students are not eligible to enroll. Priority is given to University Honors students, but we are often able to offer spaces to other students as well.

A waiting list will be maintained.

Travel Documents

In order to travel outside the United States, you will need to have passport that is valid for at least six months after your return; for this course, that means September 2014.  To find the forms you need to apply for or renew your passport, go to the Passport page on the US State Department's website.  New passports regualrly cost $135 while renewals cost $110.

UC requires that all students have an International Student Identification Card (ISIC).  UC International has information regarding how to obtain an ISIC.  ISICs are $25.

Health

Please visit the CDC page for Turkey.  Talk to your doctor about which vaccines to get, if any, and any health precautions you should pursue.

Course Director:

Kevin Grace, Head of the Archives & Rare Books Library, with research and collection responsibilities in rare books, urban studies, institutional and government materials, and multicultural documentation; University Archivist; and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the University Honors Program.

Questions

Please contact seminar professor Prof. Kevin Grace or André Durham of the University Honors Program.