ONGI ETORRI: Welcome

ONGI ETORRI
Welcome to the Fall 2013 Term.

Here at Basque Studies at Boise State we again offer various course offerings this semester.

ZER:  What Are We.  The Basque Studies Program at Boise State University is a multi-disciplinary course of advanced study of the Basque people specifically–while exploring the human condition generally–that involves varied aspects of language, history, politics, economics, etc., all the while seeking to forge learning links to empower students to generate a satisfying, self-directed pursuit of life-long learning.

NOIZ:  Since when.  The early origins of Basque Studies at Boise State University goes back to 1974-75, when Boise area locals in the Basque community in conjunction with Boise State University established a successful study abroad program in the Basque Country, that later became the University Studies Abroad Consortium. Then thirty years later, in a repeated pattern of sorts, members of the local Basque community again approached Boise State University, this time with the proposal of creating a full-fledged Basque Studies Program as part of the formal offerings of the University. This initiative was headed by the Cenarrusa Foundation for Basque Culture (formerly the Cenarrusa Center for Basque Studies). In 2004-05, the Basque Studies element of the Cenarrusa Foundation was transferred to Boise State University, and since then the program has continued to expand with varied course offerings including a Basque Studies Minor, and our popular weekend workshops.

NOLA:  Approach.  Our program aspires to construct what we call “learning links.”  While working to enrich the offerings to our students here at Boise State University by coordinating with various campus departments, our Program also seeks to provide resources throughout the region and to collaborate with local, national, and international Basque entities that share a common goal of promoting Basque Studies including the Etxepare Institute that continues to support our efforts.  The creation of a program specifically geared to the understanding of the Basque culture, history and political challenges compliments the ongoing programs for study in the Basque Country offered by the Boise State International Studies Program.  We are also the publishers of the forthcoming online BOGA Basque Studies Consortium Journal, a multi-disciplinary, peer-reviewed academic publication dedicated to the scholarly study of all aspects of Basque culture.

NOR & NON:  Who and Where.  Our Basque Studies Program is now situated in two colleges, with the following coordinators to contact for more information:

BASQUE STUDIES MINOR – Director Nere Lete Office: Library 145D nlete@boisestate.edu	BASQUE STUDIES CENTER – Director John M. Ysursa, Ph.D.  Basque Studies Center: Old Business Bldg-310 johnysursa@boisestate.edu
Department of World Languages in the College of Arts & Sciences	Department of History in the College of Social Science & Public Administration
For more information see BASQUE STUDIES MINOR The Basques refer to themselves in their language as “Euskaldunak” which literally means “one who speaks Basque.” Language has always been a central part of defining what it means to be Basque. Accordingly, Basque Studies here at Boise State has made the teaching of Euskara a key component. Students are offered introductory level courses as well as second year follow-up options.A definitive fact of the Basques is that they are still here; most small population groups are absorbed by larger groups over time. Alone in western Europe, Basques largely escaped this historical process and instead maintained a distinctive identity. Thus the examination of Basque history is a unique case study of the human experience.	David Lachiondo, Ph.D. BASQUE STUDIES CENTER – Associate Director Office:  B-310 davidlachiondo@boisestate.edu John P.Bieter, Ph.D. BASQUE STUDIES CENTER – Associate Director Office:  L-189 johnbieter@boisestate.edu
We also count on a dedicated group of collaborating academic instructors (see Faculty & Staff) to provide our program diversity and depth, and the many students who have taken our courses (see Student Appreciation).	For more information about the Basque Studies Center see our STRATEGIC PLAN

ABOVE BANNER: Our program’s aspiration is to help build bridges or “learning links” to facilitate life-long learning; the Administration Building anchoring us here at Boise State University; Basque arborglyphs or wood-carvings capturing the early Basque connection to the sheep industry; the connection with the Boise “Basque Block” community; first university of the Basque Country (1548) connecting us with the long history of higher learning in Basque Studies and relationship between the cities of Boise and Oñati where our program began its studies abroad in the 1970s.