GLS 100 Global Cities: Istanbul



GLS 100 A Global City: Istanbul

Spring 2011 Q4 course

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Glidden

439 Mahar Hall, 312-3277

lisa.glidden@oswego.edu

Office hours: MW 10:15—11:15, Th 11—12, or by appointment

Wednesdays, 1:50 to 2:45 [8 hours at Oswego, 40 hours in Istanbul) in Mahar 107

Course Description:

Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey, a modern, secular, democratic, state, where the vast majority of the population is Muslim. Istanbul has been a global city for more than two thousand years. Straddling the continents of Europe and Asia, it was the capital city of the Roman Empire from 330-395, the Byzantine Empire from 395 – 1204 and 1261 – 1453, and the Ottoman Empire from 1326 – 1923. The Ottomans successfully governed an ethnically and religiously diverse multicultural empire that ruled over Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Greek Orthodox communities in the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe.

This course provides an overview of the forces that shaped modern Turkey and an examination of current issues. We begin by learning about the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. We continue with the successful process of nation-building after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. We will focus especially on contemporary issues of identity, the question of joining the European Union, and the head-scarf issue, that is, what role should the state play in ensuring secularism. We end the course by spending spring break exploring Istanbul. Please note that there are different writing requirements for the 100 and 300 level courses.

Required Readings

Kinzer, Stephan (2001) Crescent & Star: Turkey between Two Worlds

On Orientalism—posted on Angel

POL 300 students will also read: The Clash of Civilizations debate – posted on Angel

Evaluation

Each student will choose a topic of interest related to Istanbul to focus on this quarter. The topic area is open, though I have several suggestions if you have trouble coming up with a topic. While we are in Oswego, you will do background research on the topic in preparation for the trip. Your background research will culminate in a

• research paper (4-6 for GLS students/8 – 10 pages for POL students) on the topic, due by June 5th.

• POL 300 students will also present a review of the clash of civilizations debate.

• While we are in Istanbul, you will continue your focus on this issue by keeping a journal or writing a blog about your observations and experiences (related to your topic) in Istanbul.

• Course participation

• Map quiz

The following is a TENTATIVE schedule:

Course Schedule

|Wednesday, March 23 |Introduction and expectations; Constantinople ( |1st class assignment: read Kinzer 3—51 |

| |Istanbul | |

|Wednesday, March 30 |The Ottoman Empire |Readings: Kinzer 57—115 |

|Wednesday, April 6 |Nation-building: Ataturk and the making of modern |Readings: Kinzer 115—171 |

| |Turkey | |

|Wednesday, April 20 |Turkey and the EU |Readings: Kinzer 171—213 |

| | |The Clash of Civilizations debate presentation by POL 300 |

|Wednesday, April 27 |Political identities and Political Islam |Readings: On Orientalism |

| |Women, Feminism, and head scarves |Readings: Kinzer 213—252 |

|Wednesday, May 4 | | |

|Sunday, 5/22 |Depart for Istanbul—pm flight |Lodging in Sultanahmet |

|Monday, 5/23 |AM Arrival in Istanbul |Ferryboat on the Bosphorus |

|Tuesday, 5/24 |The Byzantine World |Sites to visit: |

| |(Art, Architecture, and Politics) |Hagia Sofia (Church/Mosque/Museum) |

| | |Yerabatan Cistern |

| | |Blue Mosque |

| | |Grand Bazaar |

|Wednesday, 5/25 |Ottoman Empire |Sites to visit: |

| |(History, Islam, Art, and Architecture) |Topkapi Palace |

| | |Suleyman Mosque |

| | |Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar |

|Thursday, 5/26 |Foreigners and non-Muslims in the Empire |Sites to visit: |

| | |Tentative visit to Aremian Church or Jewish Synagogue |

| |Ottoman Empire ( Turkey |Dolmabahce Palace |

|Friday, 5/27 |Campus Life in Turkey |Visit to Bilgi University, meet with Turkish students |

|Saturday, 5/28 |Modern Turkey |Anatolian side |

|Sunday, 5/29 |Return to US or continue travels! | |

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