Comparative Perspectives to Ottoman and European History

Course content

This course aims to familiarize the students with key issues and debates regarding the Ottoman Empire and certain European countries such as England, France and Germany. The course employs a rigorously comparative perspective and the weekly topics are arranged accordingly. The readings about European history are mostly seminar works whereas those on Ottoman history are selected so as to introduce the students to latest trends and recent advances in historiography. The themes to be discussed throughout the semester include mode of production, early modern era, state formation, the working class question, commonalty vs. exceptional in historical paths, and state violence.