A panel titled “Sociological and Psycho-political Readings on Space” was held within the scope of the ‘Sociological and Psycho-political Readings-Book Discussion’ events, organized under the leadership of Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, also attended the panel.
As guests at the seminar held in Üsküdar University's Southern Campus Socrates Hall, Dr. Pınar Karababa Demircan, Lecturer at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Hazal Ayas, Head of Üsküdar University Psychology Department, Dr. Selin Dingiloğlu, Head of Üsküdar University Political Science and International Relations Department, and Dr. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin, Lecturer at Üsküdar University Sociology Department, participated.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan Delivered the Opening Speech
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan delivered the opening speech of the seminar. Arıboğan, mentioning the current work of the Political Psychology Application and Research Center, stated that the book, which was the subject of the panel, was also a fruit of the center's work.
Women's Relationships with Space and Themselves Were Examined
Dr. Nihal Kalkandeler Özdin, Lecturer, providing information about her chapter in the book, examined women's relationships with space and themselves. In this context, Özdin noted that women's social life resembles a kind of surveillance society; and drew attention to the fact that women's movements are constantly under external and internal control. Dr. Özdin, stating that this control sometimes alienates women from being themselves, mentioned that in her chapter, she examined the impact of this situation on the shaping of social spaces.
Emphasized that Stadiums Can Reduce Social Tensions…
Dr. Hazal Ayas, Lecturer, who discussed examining sports venues in her chapter in the book and focusing on stadiums as a space prominent with its unique characteristics, drew attention to the fact that stadiums have gained importance since ancient times as spaces where emotions such as sorrow, joy, disappointment, friendship, and enmity are experienced more intensely than in daily life.
Dr. Ayas, Lecturer, stating that the stadium, particularly identified with football in the modern era, has gained importance in its relationship with politics today, emphasized that stadiums function both as a public space where social reactions can be expressed and as a place of relief for people, thereby reducing social tensions.
It Was Noted that Taverns Transformed into Political Organizing Spaces
Dr. Selin Dingiloğlu, Lecturer, who stated that she discussed taverns, whose social meaning has changed throughout history, as a public space in the book, mentioned that she particularly focused on the transformation of taverns in Germany. Dr. Dingiloğlu, Lecturer, drawing attention to the fact that industrialization and urbanization caused changes in the role of taverns as public spaces, pointed out that in Germany, taverns transformed into political organizing spaces for socialist and fascist groups, serving as venues for interaction and conflict. Dr. Dingiloğlu, Lecturer, also stated that taverns, as spaces, played an important role in the rise of the Nazi Party in the 1930s.
Signifies Different Meanings for West and East German Citizens…
Dr. Pınar Karababa Demircan, Lecturer, who spoke as the last presenter at the seminar, stated that in her chapter in the book, she examined the transformation of the Berlin Wall as a social space over the years. Dr. Demircan, Lecturer, mentioned that the wall signified different meanings for West and East German citizens. She drew attention to topics such as the process leading to the demolition of the wall and how the wall was shaped as a space of collective memory after Germany's reunification.
The seminar concluded with answering questions from the audience.