ONLINE: A Zoom invitation link will be sent one day before class begins.
Strategically located between Europe and Asia, between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the city has been a crossroad of civilizations for 2500 years, starting with the Greeks creating Byzantium. The Romans incorporated it into their Empire as Constantinople, and in 1453 it was captured by the Ottoman dynasty and renamed Istanbul. We will trace its cultural and religious changes by visiting its many World Heritage sites, visit its breathtaking architectural temples, cathedrals, and mosques, as well as observe the beginning of the Silk Road. Admired by millions of tourists, we will visit its museums and castles and walk the breathtaking bridges between the two continents. Gerlinda Melchiori holds advanced degrees in history and business, and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Michigan. She has served as international consultant to universities around the world. Her special interests include the history and arts of regions and cultures worldwide.
