The second workshop of the Social Science Graduate Students Workshop Series was organized by History Program of the Hrant Dink Foundation on 29 March 2018. The purposes of these workshops are to facilitate discussion about theses and dissertations from Turkey about topics related to the Armenian Studies to strengthen the dialogue among researchers. During the second workshop, three theses about the Armenian identity in general and in Turkey were discussed.

First, Fatma Özkaya Şakul’s thesis titled “The Impossible Transmission: The Young Armenian Generation in Armenia and in Turkey - The Memory of 1915” completed at the Sociology Department of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2016 was discussed.  In the thesis, based on the interviews conducted in Turkey and Armenia, Şakul analyzed the approaches of Armenian youths to a variety of issues ranging from 1915 to the relations between two countries. Her thesis was discussed by Prof. Dr. Füsun Üstel. After making methodological discussions, including the scope of the selected sample and the use of secondary works, Üstel offered suggestions for turning the study into a publication.

Second, Ziya Kaya’s thesis titled “Main Axes of Fragmentation within the Armenian Movement in Istanbul since the mid-1990s: Underlying Reasons and Issues of Discussion” completed at the Sociology Department of the Koç University in 2013 was discussed.  According to the results of in-depth interviews, Kaya pointed out that in the beginning of the 1990s, the Armenian community was fragmented into two groups which differed from each other concerning three main issues: concept of being Armenian, the relations of Armenians with the state, and authority of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey in religious and civil matters. His thesis was discussed by Prof. Dr. Günay Göksu Özdoğan. After evaluating the study as an important contribution to the field, Özdoğan noted that although theoretical part of the study could have been stronger, the fieldwork and secondary resources were used properly.

Finally, Duygu Dalyanoğlu Altındiş’s thesis titled “Playwriting in Armenian Diaspora: Melancholia and Survival” completed at Cultural Studies Department of Istanbul Şehir University in 2016 was discussed.  Altındiş who analyzed nine different plays written by six playwrights between 1939 and 2008, examined how representation of the catastrophe and being Armenian in diaspora was reflected in these plays. Her thesis was discussed by Assist. Prof. Murat Cankara. After emphasizing that the thesis was prepared with intensive research and did significant contribution to the field, Cankara presented his suggestions. He said that there were valuable analysis and comments in the thesis and that if this study is turned into a publication, these themes can be examined in further detail.