Admission Requirements
Admission to the MA Middle Eastern Studies, the MA Middle Eastern Studies (research), the MA History, or another relevant MA. While it is an asset to have proficient reading skills in Ottoman and modern Turkish (level B2 European Common Framework), students with little or no knowledge of Turkish but with an interest in and some familiarity with the Ottoman history and culture are highly encouraged to take this course. Students who are interested in taking this course, but who are not admitted to one of the relevant master programs are requested to contact Dr. H. Theunissen.
Description
This course is designed to familiarize students with select topics, debates, and sources in the study of the early modern Ottoman history and culture. As one of the most important Eurasian states that survived from medieval to modern times, the Ottoman Empire constitutes an integral component of Europe and Middle East. There is a vast literature produced in a host of languages on various aspects of early modern Ottoman history. Given the wide scope of topics and chronology that may fall under the study of the early modern Ottoman world, the thematic and temporal outlook of this seminar will be highly selective, and greater precedence will be given to the growing field of Ottoman cultural and intellectual history. Please be advised that this seminar will not provide a mere chronological narrative of Ottoman political and institutional history. Yet the gradually changing nature of the Ottoman polity, society, and culture will be strongly emphasized to escape from essentialist and ahistorical assessment of the Ottoman experiences.
Each week we will discuss a particular theme, revise the current state of scholarship on the relevant topic, and reflect upon a type of primary sources for the study of Ottoman history and culture (ranging from texts in Ottoman-Turkish/translations in English to visual sources (and material culture).
Course Objectives
to become thoroughly acquainted with the current state of scholarship on various aspects of Ottoman history and culture,
to become familiar with the main reference works used in the study of the Ottoman world,
to gain familiarity with primary sources needed to do research in Ottoman studies,
to develop the ability to analyze and evaluate scholarship and/or sources for the purpose of formulating a scholarly argument,
to develop the ability to report on research findings both orally and in writing, in accordance with the basic standards of historical scholarship.
Timetable
Mode of Instruction
Seminar: After an introduction to the topic by the convener students will give short presentations based on the assigned readings. The presentations are followed by discussion. Attendance and active participation are obligatory for each session.
The convenor needs to be informed without delay of any classes missed for a good reason (i.e. due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, family issues, problems with residence permits, the Dutch railways in winter, etc.). In these cases it is up to the discretion of the convener of the course whether or not the missed class will have to be made up with an extra assignment. The maximum of such absences during a semester is two. Being absent without notification and/or more than two times can result in exclusion from the term end exams and a failing grade for the course.
Course Load
participation in courses: 13 x 2 hs = 26 hs
readings and preparation for classes = 110 hs
preparing 3 essays = 30 hs
preparation presentation and final essay = 114 hs
Assessment Method
Assessment
Active Participation in Group Discussion and Oral Presentations (based on the assigned reading materials)
3 Response Essays on Assigned Readings
Oral Presentation and Final Paper (individual research project)
Weighing
Active Participation in Group Discussion and Oral Presentations (25%)
3 Response Essays on Assigned Readings (15%)
The purpose of the response essays is to enable students to critically engage with the arguments presented in the assigned readings. The length of each paper is c. 1000 words. Students will be free to write their response essays on any week of their choice, provided that the paper is turned in before the meeting of that week.Final Paper and Oral Presentation (60%)
Students are expected to produce a term paper of c. 4000 words, that deals with a central question on Ottoman history and culture, and addresses it in the light of modern studies and/or available primary source materials. Students are advised to start thinking about their individual project and contact the instructor as early as possible. By Week 7, students will hand in a one-page project proposal along with a preliminary bibliography. The last meeting(s) of the class will be reserved for student presentations of final projects. These in-class presentations are crucial to enable students to receive feedback from both their classmates and the instructor before submitting the final version of their papers. The overall grade for the final project will be evaluated on the basis of the quality of the written work and student’s performance in presentation sessions.
In order to pass the course, students must obtain an overall mark of 5.50 (= 6) or higher. The final paper should always be 5.50 or higher.
Resit
The course is an integrated whole. All assessment parts must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Reading List
A detailed list of weekly readings will be handed out in the first class. The following (general) textbooks are recommended to gain familiarity with Ottoman history and culture:
Colin Imber, The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1650: The Structure of Power (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002).
Suraiya Faroqhi, Subjects of the Sultan: Culture and Daily Life in the Ottoman Empire (London: I.B. Tauris, 2000).
Donald Quataert, The Ottoman Empire, 1700-1922 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005).
Registration
Students are required to register through uSis. To avoid mistakes and problems, students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number which can be found in the timetable in the column under the heading “Act.nbr.”. General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Registration Contractonderwijs
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Remarks
Students with disabilities
The university is committed to supporting and accommodating students with disabilities as stated in the university protocol (especially pages 3-5). Students should contact Fenestra Disability Centre at least four weeks before the start of their courses to ensure that all necessary academic accommodations can be made in time conform the abovementioned protocol.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you submit any work with your name affixed to it, it is assumed to be your own work with all sources used properly indicated and documented in the text (with quotations and/or citations).