From Missionary Tradition to Liberal Leadership: Robert College, 1918-1970*

ERKEN A.

BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, cilt.71, sa.4, ss.439-458, 2023 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 71 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00071005.2023.2210640
  • Dergi Adı: BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Periodicals Index Online, Applied Science & Technology Source, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Historical Abstracts, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Public Affairs Index
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.439-458
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Missionaries, liberal education, history of United States, history of Turkey
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This article analyses the transformation of Robert College, the first American college founded abroad, from 1923 to 1970. Based on a careful investigation of Robert College archives and personal accounts of the College staff, it contends that the school's missionary character acquired a new identity after the foundation of Republican Turkey. Robert College gradually abandoned its missionary tradition to become an institution of liberal learning in the service of westernizing Turkey. The College presidency and trustees have long elaborated on the new context and trends in liberal education in the United States. At the same time, the Turkish officers and graduates quickly adjusted to this new character immersed in secular values. The College's transition involved a shared commitment going beyond political partnership, reflecting an intellectual vision that came out of long years of negotiations within the College establishment.