HIST625 READINGS IN OTTOMAN ARCHIVAL MATERIAL
| Course Code: | 2400625 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | History |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. KAYHAN ORBAY |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The objective of the "Readings in Ottoman Archival Material" course is to familiarize students with the extensive and diverse range of primary sources held in the Ottoman Archives, which are essential for conducting thorough research in Ottoman socio-economic history. This course will train students in utilizing these documents effectively for specific research purposes, emphasizing how to navigate the archives, analyze documents, and extract relevant information for historical inquiry. Students will gain hands-on experience in engaging with these materials to develop their research skills and advance their understanding of Ottoman history through archival study.
Course Content
There are more than a million documents in the Ottoman Archives that are indispensable for a thorough study in Ottoman socio-economic history. The course will aim to familiarize students with the vast range of documents, and train them in using these documents for specific purposes and research.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Navigate the Ottoman Archives: Demonstrate the ability to effectively navigate and utilize the Ottoman Archives, understanding the structure, classification, and organization of archival materials.
Identify Key Types of Documents: Recognize and differentiate various types of Ottoman archival documents (e.g., court records, administrative decrees, financial documents, correspondence) and understand their relevance to socio-economic historical research.
Analyze Archival Materials: Critically read and analyze Ottoman archival materials, assessing their historical significance and extracting key information that contributes to the understanding of Ottoman social, economic, and political life.
Develop Research Questions Using Archival Sources: Formulate research questions based on archival materials, and demonstrate how to use these documents to address specific historical inquiries related to Ottoman socio-economic structures and practices.
Apply Archival Documents to Historical Inquiry: Utilize Ottoman archival materials to construct historical narratives or arguments that contribute to the broader field of Ottoman socio-economic history, employing proper archival research methodologies.
Evaluate Document Authenticity and Context: Assess the authenticity, provenance, and context of archival documents to ensure proper historical interpretation and avoid misinterpretations due to issues such as bias, document preservation, or translation.
Synthesize Archival Research into Scholarly Output: Demonstrate the ability to synthesize findings from archival materials into well-organized and coherent research papers or presentations, contributing original insights to the study of Ottoman history.
Critically Engage with Scholarly Literature: Engage with existing scholarly literature on Ottoman history in a critical and informed manner, understanding how archival materials complement, challenge, or expand upon previous research.
Collaborate and Discuss Research Findings: Participate in discussions, peer reviews, and seminars focused on the use of Ottoman archival materials, developing collaborative and communicative skills for presenting and discussing archival research.
This course will equip students with the skills necessary to engage with the Ottoman Archives, enhancing their ability to conduct original, document-based research and contribute to the growing field of Ottoman historical studies.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Demonstrate competence in their chosen fields of study including the sources and the historiography relevant to it | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Construct arguments based on developed research skills that enable them to access, analyze, synthesize and evaluate primary, secondary and tertiary sources efficiently | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Disseminate and communicate research findings effectively in oral and written form | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Develop the ability to work cooperatively on investigation of an area of historical inquiry and to share own findings with co-researchers | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Conduct research in Ottoman archives and other national and international research institutions | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Have a command of language skills necessary for their research | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Act in accordance with a universal understanding of academic ethics | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Contribute to society through a sense of personal responsibility and awareness for social issues | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution