Oriental Languages and Cultures

Knowledge and understanding: This course will introduce students to the study of the Ottoman Empire, from its inception as a frontier principality in the late 13th century through its many transformations as one the largest and most-long lasting empires in world history, until its demise in the 20th century. This course, through different theoretical approaches and discussing also primary sources in translation, will help the students to overcome the established Eurocentric narratives on the Ottoman Empire, focusing, in particular, on its legacy for contemporary Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to analyze the rise and the evolution of the Ottoman empire in the broader context of world history while examining its peculiarities and the reasons that determined the emergence of a Eurocentric narrative on the Ottomans. They will also be able to have a more in-depth knowledge of the historiographical debates that concern various aspects of the study of Ottoman history. Making judgements: Students will be able to analyze critically the knowledge they have acquired and formulate their own judgments. These skills will be built up also through promoting independent and collaborative learning activities such as self-direct learning, written essays, Problem Based Learning (PBS). Communication skills: the students will learn how to express their ideas clearly and adequately and how to communicate effectively what has been learned. These skills will be enhanced by promoting collaborative learning activities such as Think-Pair-Share (TPS), small discussion groups, simulations, peer reading and peer editing. Learning skills: the students will learn how to study in a self-directed and autonomous way, understand their shortcomings and conceive and develop a self-learning project within a set time limit. These skills will be enhanced by activities such as flipped classroom, self-evaluation exercises and written essays.