(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)September 9, 2013

(MAHWAH, NJ)  – “Russo-Turkish Relations and the Armenian Community of the Ottoman Empire” will be the title of a talk to be given by George A. Bournoutian at Ramapo College of New Jersey on Tuesday, September 24 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the York Room of the Birch Mansion. Since 1986, he has been on the faculty of Iona College, New Rochelle, New York, where he is the senior professor of History. Bournoutian will examine the impact of Russo-Turkish conflict since the mid-nineteenth century on the fate of the Armenian community of the Ottoman Empire. The program will be sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the History Club of Ramapo College.

Far from being a zero sum game, for Tsarist Russia the diplomatic and political problems posed by the decay of the Ottoman Empire constituted an opportunity to gain influence and territory on Turkey’s eastern and  western frontiers. As a Christian minority primarily residing in the eastern reaches of Ottoman territory, the Armenians were almost automatically involved the long decades of struggle that only ended with the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide.

As Russia extended its border southwards, it became increasingly involved with Ottoman affairs. Not only because Russia gained control of a swathe of Armenian territory, but also its support of Serbian and Romanian independence Armenians increasingly viewed Russia as its champion vis-a-vis the Ottomans. It is this volatile and potentially incendiary development that Bournoutian will explore in his talk.

Born in Ishfahan, Iran, Bournoutian is the author of more than two dozen books and numerous articles on the history of Armenia, Georgia, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Iran, and Azerbaijan. His book, “A Concise History of the Armenian People,” published by Mazda Publishers and already in its 6th edition (some 20,000 copies sold), is the basic text for most Armenian courses offered in the United States. It has been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian, with editions in Japanese, Persian and Russian forthcoming.

In addition to his post at Iona College, he has held visiting appointments at Columbia University, Tufts University, New York University, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, California State University at Fresno, and Ramapo College. Bournoutian resides in Haworth. He is an avid world traveler and is fluent in eight languages. He holds B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in History from the University of California at Los Angeles.

For a photo of Professor Bournoutian click here:
https://www.ramapo.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/118/2013/09/George_A._Bournoutian.jpg

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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