History, Culture, and Tradition in Istanbul
Program Overview
UC San Diego Global Seminar in Istanbul, Turkey

Travel Dates: July 1 - August 4, 2012Explore Istanbul, one of the world’s most remarkable cities! Istanbul – formerly Constantinople – was the imperial capital and economic and cultural center of both the Byzantine Empire (4th to the 15th Century) and the Ottoman Empire (15th to the 20th Century). Straddling both Europe and Asia, Istanbul has been the pivotal connection between cultures, languages, religions, and traditions from antiquity to the present.
The Global Seminar program is not limited to the University of California San Diego and is open to all college and university students. The program consists of a package of two UCSD courses taught by a UCSD faculty member (in this case, Matthew T. Herbst). All instruction is in English and there is no need to know any Turkish although a 2 hour elementary language instruction is included to help you navigate the local community. Lodging, site-visits, transportation within the city, daily breakfast and some additional meals are provided (though transportation to Istanbul is not).
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| Location | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Dates | - |
| Deadline | |
| Courses / Credits | MMW 14GS: Making of the Modern World 14 - Revolution, Empire, Industry HIEU106GS: Imperial Constantinople = 8 UCSD Units |
| Price | $ 4,665 plus UCSD tuition and fees |
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| Location | Istanbul, Turkey | |
MMW 14GS: Making of the Modern World 14 - Revolution, Empire, Industry
This course examines developments in world history from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, moving from the Enlightenment to the aftermath of the First World War, and traces the impact of these developments in the West and in the much wider world beyond. Topics include the Enlightenment, revolution and political change, industrialization, the rise of nationalism and the nation state, modernization and westernization, and imperialism. While the course attempts to provide a general level global portrait, it pays particular attention to the impact of these events on the Ottoman Empire. As the gap between the technological, economic, and military power of Western states increased and as the West began to dominate the once mighty Ottoman Empire, how did the Ottomans and their subjects respond? Did modernization mean westernization? How should we understand the role of religion in this critical period? How did the experience of the Ottomans compare to other formerly dominant cultural and/or political entities, such as China, India, and Japan, which also encountered this new dynamic. How, in the end, did these developments culminate in the end of the Ottoman Empire?Find more course details about this program on the UCSD Global Seminar website
Additional Resources:
HIEU106GS: Imperial Constantinople
This course explores the history of Constantinople (now called Istanbul) during its long period as an imperial capital, when it served as the political, cultural, economic, and religious center of the Byzantine Empire (4th – 15th century) and then the Ottoman Empire (15th – 20th century). How did these two empires share one imperial center? How did the Byzantines create this imperial center and how did the Ottomans make it their own? We will examine both continuity and change in the city’s history through such topics as the use of urban space, demographic change, religious organization and practices, political and religious ceremony, commercial activity, and art and architecture. We will trace the city’s transition through its imperial period as it transformed from a Christian Byzantine into a cosmopolitan Muslim imperial capital.Find more course details about this program on the UCSD Global Seminar website
Additional Resources:
Cultural Activities

- Yeni Camii (New Mosque) and Egyptian Bazaar
- Neighborhood Walk: Gülhane Park and Hippodrome
- Mosaics Museum
- Yediküle Fortress
- Blachernae Palace ruins
- Ayazma Church of the Virgin Mary of Blachernae
- St. Irene church
- Küçük Ayasofya Camii
- Basilica Cistern Museum
- Evening at Istiklal
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- Pammakaristos/ Fetihye Camii
- Kariye Müzesi
- Karaköy-Galata: Yeralti Camii
- Neve Shalom Synagogue
- Galata Tower
- Fatih Area
- Ferry to Fener and Balat: Orthodox Patriarchate, Church of St. Stephen, and St. Mary of the Mongols
- Topkapi Palace and Harem
- Bosphorus Ferry to Rumeli Hisari
- Military Museum and Mehter concert
- Ferry to Eyüp
- Architectural tour of Mimar Sinan: Süleimaniye and Rüstem Pasa
- Blue Mosque
- Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in Kumkapi
- Dolmabahçe Camii, Dolmabahçe Palace and Harem, and its Crystal Palace
- Ferry to Haydarpasa Train Station; then to Selimiye Barracks and the Florence Nightingale Museum
- Archaeological Museum
Housing & Meals
Housing:
- Twin bedrooms with private bathrooms at 3-star Hotel Erboy
- Linen and towels are available and will be changed daily
- Air-conditioning in the rooms
- Laundry services are available near the hotel.
- Roommate requests will be accepted during the pre-departure process. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed and must be mutual. Each student must request the other student in writing separately. The request must include the PID and first and last name for both students.
Meals that are included:
- Daily breakfast at the Hotel Erboy
- Welcome dinner
- Two additional lunches during excursions
- 12 Euros per person cash allowance for lunch in Kumkapi
- Farewell dinner
Program Fees
Date: July 1 - Aug. 4, 2012
| UC | Non-UC & Grad | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administration fee) |
$4,911.40 | $4,911.40 |
Course and Campus-Based Fees: |
$2,500.00 | $3,100.00 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
$7,411.40 | $8,011.40 |
Application fees for non-UCSD students:
- Visiting UC students pay an additional $50 Summer Session application fee
- Non-UC students pay an additional $100 Summer Session application fee
What's included in the program fee:
Housing:
- Twin bedrooms with private bathrooms at 3-star Hotel Erboy
- Linen and towels are available and will be changed daily
- Air-conditioning in the rooms
- Laundry services are available near the hotel.
- Roommate requests will be accepted during the pre-departure process. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed and must be mutual. Each student must request the other student in writing separately. The request must include the PID and first and last name for both students.
Meals that are included:
- Daily breakfast at the Hotel Erboy
- Welcome dinner
- Two additional lunches during excursions
- 12 Euros per person cash allowance for lunch in Kumkapi
- Farewell dinner
Excursions:
- Yeni Camii (New Mosque) and Egyptian Bazaar
- Neighborhood Walk: Gülhane Park and Hippodrome
- Mosaics Museum
- Yediküle Fortress
- Blachernae Palace ruins
- Ayazma Church of the Virgin Mary of Blachernae
- St. Irene church
- Küçük Ayasofya Camii
- Basilica Cistern Museum
- Evening at Istiklal
- Hagia Sophia Museum
- Pammakaristos/ Fetihye Camii
- Kariye Müzesi
- Karaköy-Galata: Yeralti Camii
- Neve Shalom Synagogue
- Galata Tower
- Fatih Area
- Ferry to Fener and Balat: Orthodox Patriarchate, Church of St. Stephen, and St. Mary of the Mongols
- Topkapi Palace and Harem
- Bosphorus Ferry to Rumeli Hisari
- Military Museum and Mehter concert
- Ferry to Eyüp
- Architectural tour of Mimar Sinan: Süleimaniye and Rüstem Pasa
- Blue Mosque
- Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate in Kumkapi
- Dolmabahçe Camii, Dolmabahçe Palace and Harem, and its Crystal Palace
- Ferry to Haydarpasa Train Station; then to Selimiye Barracks and the Florence
Nightingale Museum - Archaeological Museum
Courses:
- MMW 14GS: Making of the Modern World 14 - Revolution, Empire, Industry
- HIEU106GS: Imperial Constantinople
- 2 hours survival Turkish course during the first week of the program
Classroom and computer access:
- Free access to a classroom / computer lab at Hotel Erboy 7 days a week
- Free wireless internet access at Hotel Erboy
Transportation:
- Public transportation pass for the entire stay in Istanbul is included.
- Transfer by private bus from Istanbul Airport to Hotel Erboy and return is included in the program price.
- Two pick-up times will be arranged for the airport transfers.
Phones:
- CEPA Europe will provide each participating student use of a cell phone and sim card for the duration of the program.
- Students will be responsible to purchase their own calling time/minutes.
Insurance, health and safety
- Comprehensive CareMed Gold Insurance Package (incl. Travel Health & Accident Insurance, Travel Accident Indemnity Insurance, Travel Assistance Insurance, Travel Luggage Insurance and Travel Third Party Liability Insurance)
- A coordinator will accompany the group during the first two days in Istanbul and arrange a comprehensive on-site orientation session, which will also include health and safety issues.
All fees are subject to change without notice.
Registration, course fees, and schedules are determined by the Governor, Legislature, and Board of Regents. For more information about UC fees and budget situation, please consult the UC website. All University of California, San Diego students are charged campus-based fees as part of their registration/course fees (University Center, Recreation Facility, ICA Student Activity fees). For specific fee information, please visit: UCSD Summer Session website.
Sponsored by: UC San Diego
Founded in 1960, the University of California, San Diego is one of the nation’s most accomplished research universities, widely acknowledged for its local impact, national influence and global reach. The campus is ideally located near the Pacific Ocean, the U.S.-Mexico border and the Pacific Rim. UC San Diego is renowned for its collaborative, diverse and cross-disciplinary ethos that transcends traditional boundaries in science, arts and the humanities. The university’s award-winning scholars are experts at the forefront of their fields with an impressive track record for achieving scientific, medical and technological breakthroughs. A leader in climate science research, UC San Diego is one of the greenest universities in the nation and promotes sustainability solutions throughout the region and the world.
Faculty Leader:
Matthew T. Herbst, Faculty Director, MMW ProgramEmail: matthewherbst@ucsd.edu
Matthew T. Herbst is Faculty Director of the Making of the Modern World Program at the University of California San Diego, Eleanor Roosevelt College, where he teaches courses on pre-modern world history and on religious topics. Prof. Herbst received his Ph.D. and M.A. in History from the University of Michigan, specializing in Byzantium, and his B.A. in History, Greek, and Latin from Binghamton University.
Prof. Herbst is passionate about undergraduate education, earning the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2009, and dedicated to internationalizing the undergraduate experience. He designs and leads summer study abroad programs, teaching in Istanbul (2009-2012) and in Paris (2008), and is developing a global service and learning project abroad. Prof. Herbst has served as faculty fellow for the UCSD International House in 2010-2011 and is a representative on the UCSD Academic Senate and member of the Committee on Preparatory Education. His academic interests include Constantinople/Istanbul, study abroad, hermits, and the spirituality of desire.
Host University:
How to apply
Application materials are available now, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis (first-come/ first-served) until each program is full. Some programs will fill by the end of fall quarter.Priority application deadline: January 30, 2012. For the programs that remain open after the priority deadline, the final deadline will be March 1, 2012.
Applications will not be reviewed until they are complete.
Your application is complete when:
- You have completed the GS Online Application
- You have submitted the GS Supplemental Documents
- Your dean’s office has returned your Judicial Affairs form
- You have turned in the $250.00 non-refundable deposit

For more information regarding the application process, please visit the
UCSD Global Seminars Website
Get in touch with UCSD Global Seminars
Programs Abroad Office
International Center
9500 Gilman Drive #0018
La Jolla, California 92093-0018
Phone: (858) 534-1123
Email: globalseminar@ucsd.edu
All application details can be found on the UCSD Global Seminars Website
| Term for Overview and Search | Summer 2012 | ||
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| "Type of Program" for Overview and Search: | US sponsored program abroad | ||
| Location: | Istanbul, Turkey |
Phone +49 (0)7142 95 65 11 Fax +49 (0)7142 95 65 44 info@cepa-europe.com
CEPA Europe offering study abroad programs in Europe since 1997.
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