USC Institute of Armenian Studies

USC Institute of Armenian Studies A hub of research and learning at USC that studies the contemporary Armenian diaspora and Republic of Armenia.

09/09/2026

What if fluency is not the only thing a language can offer? From the intimacy of audio storytelling to an unexpected turn toward writing poetry in Armenian, Nyree Abrahamian reflects on what becomes possible when a language long associated with correction, anxiety, and getting it right becomes a place for experimentation instead.

This episode is part of Language Therapy with Dr. K, a podcast by the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies.

🎧 Stream the episode on all podcast platforms�🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube�🔗 Link below

Catch up on previous episodes in the series on our YouTube channel or stream them on your favorite podcast platform.

09/01/2026

One year ago, we gathered at the Greek Theatre for an evening of music, history, and community. The moments we shared became memories, and the music became an echo that stayed with us, much like the echoes of our ancestors that continue to shape us.

The USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies is pleased to support “Echoes of Our Ancestors 2: Heroes & Saints,” a sweeping musical and visual experience celebrating the enduring spirit, faith, courage, and cultural legacy of the Armenian people, presented by the People of AR Cultural Foundation.

At the Institute, we believe in uplifting spaces where culture comes alive and continues the conversation long after the last note is played. Last year, we organized a pre-show panel that provided intellectual and scholarly context for the show. This Thursday, September 3, we look forward to returning to the iconic Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for the second edition of Echoes of Our Ancestors.

Because every great story deserves a sequel. 💛✨🎶

08/27/2026

Welcome back, Trojans. ✌️

A new academic year brings new questions, new perspectives, and new opportunities to learn.

At the Institute for Armenian Studies, we believe education begins with curiosity and a willingness to embrace what we do not yet know.

As you begin this year, embrace the uncertainty that comes with learning.

Welcome back to campus. We look forward to seeing where your curiosity takes you. 😊💛✨✌️

08/25/2026

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Echoes of Our Ancestors, we are delighted to co-sponsor its second installment, Heroes & Saints.

In this clip from Language Therapy with Dr. K, Institute Director Dr. Shushan Karapetian sits down with the show’s creator, Arman Nshanian to discuss the vision behind the project. 

Bringing Armenian culture and history to life through an epic act of storytelling, Echoes of Our Ancestors: Heroes & Saints demonstrates the power of the arts to make our history immediate, accessible, and deeply resonant.

📍 The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles
📅 Thursday, September 3, 2026
🚪 Doors open at 6:00 PM | Show begins at 8:00 PM
🎟️ Purchase tickets through the link in our bio.

🎧 Watch the full episode of Language Therapy with Dr. K on our YouTube channel or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Kicking off the academic year with the Institute’s Academic Council!It was wonderful to come together for a warm and eng...
08/20/2026

Kicking off the academic year with the Institute’s Academic Council!

It was wonderful to come together for a warm and engaging meeting with three of the Institute’s Academic Council members—Moh El-Naggar, Dean’s Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biological Sciences; Aroussiak Gabrielian, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urbanism; and Josh Kun, Vice Provost for the Arts and Professor and Chair in Cross-Cultural Communication.

Over a lively and thoughtful conversation, the Council shared valuable guidance and insights on the Institute’s five-year strategic plan and major initiatives for the year ahead. The group also reflected on the Institute’s impact at USC and beyond, exchanging ideas about its long-term sustainability and opportunities to deepen connections and collaboration across the university.

We’re grateful to our Academic Council for their interdisciplinary perspectives and invaluable partnership!

08/18/2026

Dr. K is back—and so is MDA 330!

The Armenian Heritage: History, Arts, and Culture — Language in Diaspora is a 4-unit interdisciplinary course that uses the Armenian experience as a lens to explore heritage languages, multilingualism, language anxiety, identity, and diaspora.

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deep into the complex ways language shapes identity, belonging, and life in the diaspora.

No Armenian language or history background required. Open to all majors!

📅 Fall 2026 | 🕑 Tues & Thurs, 2:00–3:20 PM

Questions? 📧 [email protected]

🗣️ Make your voice heard in the history of Armenian Los Angeles! 🇦🇲Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resour...
08/14/2026

🗣️ Make your voice heard in the history of Armenian Los Angeles! 🇦🇲

Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources, in collaboration with the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies, has commenced work on the Armenian American Historic Context Statement, a landmark initiative to document, preserve, and celebrate the history and heritage of Armenian Americans in Los Angeles.

As part of this effort, community members are invited to complete a survey identifying places that hold historical, cultural, or personal significance to the Armenian American community. Survey responses will help ensure that the project reflects the richness and diversity of Armenian experiences in Los Angeles.

To learn more about the project and complete the survey in person, the general public is invited to a community workshop on Saturday, August 29, from 4:30–6:30 PM at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 11960 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606.

This event is co-hosted by Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources, Los Angeles City Council District 2, and the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies.

⏰ When: Saturday, August 29, 4:30—6:30 PM
📍 Where: Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 11960 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606
📝 Details: Free of charge and open to the public. RSVP required to attend. Link in bio

08/12/2026

Why do Armenians write the same language differently? Why do debates over spelling evoke such strong emotions? And what can linguistic scholarship reveal about one of Armenian’s most enduring controversies?

In our new episode, Armenian Orthography: History, Reform, and Evidence, Dr. K continues her conversation with historical and comparative linguist Dr. Hrach Martirosyan, one of the world’s leading specialists on the history of Armenian, to explore the evolution of Armenian orthography—the shared conventions that govern how a language is written.

Drawing on historical linguistics and comparative examples from languages around the world, they examine why writing systems evolve, how orthographic reforms unfold, and where the Armenian experience fits within a broader global history.

🎧 Stream the episode on all podcast platforms
🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube
🔗 Link in bio

This episode is part of Language Therapy with Dr. K, a podcast by the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies, and part of a limited series filmed in Armenian with exclusive guest Dr. Hrach Martirosyan.

Catch up on previous episodes in the series on our YouTube channel or stream them on your favorite podcast platform.

Ever feel more nervous speaking your heritage language than a foreign one?Many heritage speakers do.Why does this happen...
08/03/2026

Ever feel more nervous speaking your heritage language than a foreign one?

Many heritage speakers do.

Why does this happen? How does diaspora shape the way we speak, think, and connect to our communities? And what role does language play in identity and belonging?

Explore these questions in MDA 330: The Armenian Heritage: History, Arts, and Culture — Language in Diaspora, a 4-unit interdisciplinary course taught by Institute Director Dr. Shushan Karapetian.

Using the Armenian experience as a lens, this course examines heritage languages, multilingualism, language anxiety, identity, and diaspora—topics that resonate far beyond any one community.

No Armenian language or history background is required. Open to all majors.

📅 Fall 2026 | 🕑 Tues & Thurs, 2:00–3:20 PM
Questions? 📧 [email protected]

07/29/2026

For twenty years, the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies has been a place of inquiry—where history informs the present and scholarship creates real-world impact. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to research, teaching, and community by building innovative new programs, preserving voices at risk of being lost, and shaping the future of Armenian Studies for generations to come.

Join us as we build the next chapter of Armenian Studies.

Learn more: Armenian.usc.edu
Read the Strategic Plan. Link in comments.

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