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Program Type: 
Thesis
Course Code: 
POLS 655
Course Type: 
Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
15
Course Language: 
English
Course Coordinator: 
Courses given by: 
Course Objectives: 

This seminar aims to explore Turkish political thought both in the imperial and republican periods through a comparative perspective.

Course Content: 

Young Ottomans, Jeune Turks, Ottomanism, Turkism, Westernism, Islamism, Kemalism, Nationalism, Socialism are some of the ideological currents to be discussed within this course. The students are expected to focus either on a particular thinker or a current of thought and write a research project.

Teaching Methods: 
1: Lecture, 2: Discussion based lecture, 3: Case study, 4:Small group work, 5: Seminar, 6: Group work, 7: Research paper, 8: Oral presentation/exam, 9: Survey, 10: Panel, 11: Guest speaker, 12: Activities within a Student Body or Research Project.
Assessment Methods: 
A: Exam, B: Homework, C: Presentation, D: Discussion

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Program Learning Outcomes Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
Demonstrate an understanding of major currents of thought in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey.  1, 3 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 A, B, C, D
Discuss the rise of major debates and traditions in Ottoman-Turkish intellectual life. 1, 3 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 A, B, C, D
Trace historical origins of contemporary ideological currents in order to demonstrate the elements of continuity and change. 1, 3, 6 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 A, B, C, D
Compare Turkish political thought with western political thought. 2, 4, 13 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 A, B, C, D
Analyze primary and secondary sources of Turkish-Ottoman political thought 4, 5, 6, 8 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 A, B, C, D
Interpret ideas of a political thinker or strands of an ideological current within the frame of a research paper. 8, 9, 10, 11 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 A, B, C, D

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week Topics Study Materials
1 Introduction  
2 Siyasetnameler (Mirror of Prince): Ottoman political thought in the Pre-Tanzimat period Mardin (2000)

Handouts

3 New perspectives of the Tanzimat Period Mardin (2000)

Lewis (2002)

Oktay (1998)

4 European Influence and the rise of new ideas Mardin (2000)

Lewis (2002)

5 New wine in old bottles: Expression of new ideas through traditional structures Oktay (1998)

Lewis (2002)

6 Young Ottoman Thought Mardin (2000)

Lewis (2002)

7 Early Advocates of Constitutionalism Mardin (2000)

Oktay (1998)

Lewis (2002)

8 Abdulhamid and the Young Turk Opposition Lewis (2002)

Mardin (2000)

9 Social and Political Thought of Young Turks: decentralization vs. centralization. Mardin (2000)

Oktay (1998)

Tunaya (2004)

10 Political Currents of II. Constitutional Period: Nationalisms Mardin (2000)

Oktay (1998)

Tunaya (2004)

11 The National Struggle and After: Kemalism and Hyper-Modernization Ahmad (1993)

Oktay (1998)

12 Single Party Period: Alternative modernization strategies and two failed attempts of transition to multi-party politics Ahmad (1993)

Oktay (1998)

13 Innovations of the Multiparty period: Debates on the rule of law, social rights, and alternative models of development. Ahmad (1993)

Oktay (1998)

14 Student Presentations  
15 Conclusion  

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook Mardin, Şerif (2000) [1962] The Genesis of Young Ottoman Political Thought: A Study in the Modernization of Turkish Political Ideas (Princeton University Press).

Lewis, Bernard (2002) [1961] The Emergence of Modern Turkey (Oxford University Press).

Ahmad, Feroz (1993) The Making of Modern Turkey (London: Routledge).

Tunaya, Tarık Zafer (2004) [1959] Hürriyet’in İlanı (İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi).

Oktay, Cemil (1998) Siyaset Yazıları: Hum Zamirinin Serencamı ve Diğerleri (İstanbul: Der).

Oktay, Cemil (2012 ) Siyaset Bilimi Yazıları (Alfa Yayınları).

Additional Resources Said Halim Paşa (2012) Buhranlarımız (İz Yayınları)

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents Required readings and documents can be found both in the Reserve section of the library and in the bookstore.
Assignments Handouts explaining the assignments will be given in class.
Exams Exams will be given in class.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms 1 .25
Presentation 1 .25
Research Paper 1 .50
Total   100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE   0
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE   100
Total   100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5  
1 The ability to analyze and critically evaluate basic research models, approaches and intellectual traditions in the field of political science, international relations, comparative politics, Turkish politics and foreign policy. To demonstrate the ability to create innovative and original contribution to the field by specializing and expanding on these models and approaches.         X  
2 To demonstrate the ability to make original contributions to the field with an interdisciplinary approach.       X    
3 A command of basic research models and approaches of political science and international relations discipline and the ability to apply them in academic research and project design.       X    
4 Having the ability to compare, contrast and analyze societal and political systems with an interdisciplinary approach.       X    
5 Having a command of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and abiding by the highest levels of academic and research ethics.       X    
6 The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by conducting original and independent studies that produce original thought, methods, models, and applications to the field and/or utilize existing ideas, methods, models, and applications in another field of study.       X    
7 The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by publishing at least one academic article at a refereed journal and/or by producing or interpreting an original contribution.   X        
8 To develop current and advanced level of data into original thought and research as a specialist. The ability to develop original ideas and methods in the field of political science and international relations.         X  
9 The ability to debate and make presentations within an intellectual framework, and the ability to express oneself in a professional and academic manner. The ability to apply academic writing and presentation methods to dissertations, articles, and project design.       X    
10 Having advanced reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in the English language.   X        
11 Having the ability to apply knowledge of political science and international relations discipline to information technologies and traditional tools so as to produce sound solutions to problems.   X        
12 Having the competency to work in the public sector, NGOs, research institutions and the academia.   X        
13 Having empathy towards diverse and differing communities, which will facilitate conducing teamwork at local as well as global platforms.         X  
14 Having competency of comprehending and interpreting local and global issues through information exchange with international academics and students.     X      

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities Quantity Duration
(Hour)
Total
Workload
(Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 9 144
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Research Paper 1 30 30
Presentation 1 18 18
Total Work Load     250
Total Work Load / 25 (h)     10
ECTS Credit of the Course     10