HIST405 OTTOMAN STATECRAFT
| Course Code: | 2400405 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | History |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. KAYHAN ORBAY |
| Offered Semester: | Fall Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course examines the political mechanisms and administrative structures of the pre-Tanzimat Ottoman Empire, focusing on how governance functioned at various levels. It explores the roles of key Ottoman officials, their responsibilities, and the processes through which political decisions were formulated and executed. The course also analyzes the ways in which political authority was communicated, negotiated, and maintained within the empire’s diverse and complex sociopolitical landscape. By studying imperial edicts, court records, and other historical documents, students will gain insight into the decision-making practices of the Ottoman ruling elite and the broader administrative strategies that sustained the empire for centuries.
This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Ottoman governance before the Tanzimat reforms, examining the political structures, administrative practices, and key figures who shaped imperial policy. Through the analysis of historical sources and scholarly debates, students will develop an appreciation for the complexities of Ottoman statecraft and the mechanisms of power, diplomacy, and administration that defined the empire’s political culture.
Course Content
The course introduces the political mechanisms of the pre-Tanzimat Ottoman Empire describing the role of Ottoman officials and their manner of making political statements.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to: Identify and explain the key administrative and political structures of the pre-Tanzimat Ottoman Empire. Analyze the roles and functions of Ottoman officials in decision-making processes. Evaluate how political authority was expressed, negotiated, and enforced within the empire. Interpret primary sources, such as imperial decrees and court records, to understand Ottoman political discourse. Assess the relationship between governance practices and the empire’s broader sociopolitical framework. Develop historical arguments about the nature of Ottoman statecraft and its evolution over time.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | are familiar with general world historical periods and trends; demonstrate knowledge of key facts, ideas, societies, organizations, cultures, structures and processes related to a variety of historical contexts. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | are familiar with existing scholarly literature, historiography and historical methodology; and have developed the ability to approach them critically. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | are acquainted with interdisciplinary approaches. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | are able to generate research questions and conduct independent historical research by locating and analyzing primary and/or secondary sources; can construct viable arguments based on source interpretation. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | have developed sufficient English language skills; additionally, they have acquired the skill to read both printed texts and manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | are able to present research results both in oral and written form. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | are able to work individually or as part of a team. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | are equipped with academic ethics. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | are aware of modern day issues and current events; have the skills and knowledge to generate informed opinions. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution