Graduate School
ANNUAL LECTURE 2024
Sabri Ates Explores the Origins of Kurdish Nationalism
On March 2, Zahra Institute hosted its Fourth Annual Lecture on the campus of Loyola University Chicago. Kurdish community members and academics from neighboring institutions gathered on a beautiful early Spring day to hear Sabri Ates, professor of history at Southern Methodist University, speak on "The Emergence of Kurdish Nationalism: The Sheikh Ubeidullah Uprising of 1880." In a talk illustrated with excerpts of recently discovered letters and a rare image of the Kurdish leader, Ates, a historian of the Ottoman-Iranian borderlands, gave a preview of his forthcoming book. His discussion of the rise of Kurdish national consciousness and agency in a context of two empires led to a lively Q and A and spirited discussion at a reception following the lecture.
After the demise of the Ottoman, Russian, and Iranian Empires traditional states were replaced by nation states, boundaries turned into modern borders, and the Kurds were divided among five countries. While focusing on divisions and differences among the Kurds because of the creation of modern states in the Middle East, this course also tries to show cross-border interactions, cultural exchanges, and trans-national movements.
This Kurdish culture course consists of three thematic areas to be taught by a team of three instructors: Kurdish music, Kurdish cinema, and Kurdish art and architecture. Each cluster will offer an overview of its medium, then engage the contemporary arts scene by highlighting the work of select practitioners. Students will have the opportunity to take deep dives into Kurdish culture through readings, guest speakers and seminars.
Explores the nature of the research process, data collection, and the main tools of quantitative and qualitative research. The course offers an overview of the research process tailored to Kurdish Studies and related interdisciplinary areas, focusing on interviews, ethnography, and archival research. The second component of the course is a workshop in academic writing, the ethics and standards of scholarly production, and effective presentation techniques.
The Master of Arts in Kurdish Studies at Zahra Institute is the first of its kind in the United States. It examines the lives and culture of the Kurds, a Middle Eastern people living in Kurdistan and beyond, spread across the borders of several modern states and linguistic and cultural zones.
The MA Program provides excellent background preparation for a doctoral degree in any field related to the Middle East and for those interested in pursuing careers in media, government, and international organizations. Our liberal arts approach to Kurdish Studies is based on rigorous academic standards and a strong commitment to scholarly freedom.
ZI Apex Fellowship
Zahra Institute's Apex Fellows are junior scholars who receive mentoring from ZI Faculty as they develop their research agendas and prepare work for publication. To express interest, please email info@zahrainstitute.org.
Current Fellows
Zahra Institute welcomes two inaugural Apex Fellows for 2023-24. Fatma Kaya-Muguc studied psychology in Istanbul. Her current research interests include "the effects of the ISIS genocide and captivity on Kurdish and Yezidi women” and "the need for culturally-appropriate intervention strategies that might help these women process their trauma."Ahmet Ciftcioglu is a doctoral student in sociology at Loyola University in Chicago and is interested in social movements, the sociology of religion, and critical Muslim studies.
Kurdish Studies
Critical Muslim Studies
Zahra Institute is proud to be among the sponsors of Mehmet Ali Konar’s forthcoming film, Dema Ko Pelên Dara Guzê Zer Dibin [When the Walnut Leaves Turn Yellow]. The award-winning Kurdish filmmaker’s recent work includes Hewno Bêreng (Colorless Dreams, 2018) and Govenda Ali û Dayka Zîn (The Dance of Ali and Mother Zin, 2021).
Zahra Institute Certificate Program 2021 alumnus and graduate student at Florida International University
Our Kurdish Studies Certificate Program connects students with highly-trained, responsive faculty in a small-class setting that enables them to expand on their existing knowledge while exploring Kurdish language, culture, and civilization. For application information visit our Certificate Program page.
QWX Blog is an initiative of Zahra Institute. It provides a platform for researchers to share with a wider audience brief reports, timely observations, and commentary in their areas of expertise.
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