Armenian Studies Program

The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program (ASP) promotes the study of the history, language, and culture of Armenia and Armenians and helps prepare the new generation of scholars in the field. ASP is built on the solid foundation of rigorous curriculum offered by the two endowed chairs in Armenian studies: The Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History (1981) and the Marie Manoogian Chair in Armenian Language and Literature (1987). The University of Michigan offers an undergraduate major and minor in Armenian studies; MA and PhD degrees are offered through the University’s centers for regional studies and departments.

In addition, the program offers graduate student, post-doctoral, pre-doctoral and visiting scholar fellowships; graduate and undergraduate student research support; specialized symposia, workshops and conferences; and public lectures and outreach programs. Through its work in the United States and abroad, ASP strives to contribute to the scholarly analysis and understanding of the challenges the Armenian people have faced at home, in the Near East and the Caucasus, and in the Diaspora.

History

The origins of the Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, lie in the Armenian language and later history classes taught beginning in 1976 by a number of known scholars and teachers. ASP was officially established in 1981, when Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Marie Manoogian endowed the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History (Department of History), which has been held by Professor Ronald Suny (1981-97), Professor Stephanie Platz (1997-2000), and Professor Gerard Libaridian (2001-12).