Topics in Ottoman/Islamic History

This course may be a survey of the Ottoman Empire covering from its establishment in Anatolia in the 13th century through its rise as a world empire in the 15th century to its dissolution in the early 20th century. It will explore the formation and transformation of political, religious, economic and cultural institutions, including the role of the state, law and sovereignty. Attention will also be given to ethnic/religious minorities, gender and center/periphery differences. This topics course may also focus on a single century (e.g., the long nineteenth century), a region within in the Ottoman world (e.g., Anatolia and Arab Lands) or particular issue such as the military endeavors and role/legacy of the military in state/empire building and imperial identity; politico-administrative evolution and roles of the elites; relations of center (Istanbul) with periphery (Anatolia, the Balkans, the Arab Lands); economic development (regional/empire-wide and within the world economy); social transformation and cultural developments; rise of nationalism and communitarian relations; imperialism and religion; notions of success and notion of decline and the Ottoman legacy.

All Terms

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