COURSE UNIT TITLE

: DAILY LIFE IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
ERA 4039 DAILY LIFE IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ELECTIVE 2 0 0 6

Offered By

History

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR YAKUP ÖZTÜRK

Offered to

History
History (Evening)

Course Objective

The objective of this course is to emphasize the significance of everyday life in comprehending the rich and complex history of the Ottoman Empire. Students will be introduced to the particulars of daily life that shaped the social, economic, cultural, and political structure of the Ottoman Empire. The course will examine the traditions, customs, social norms, and values of the Ottoman Empire's everyday existence from the very beginning. The differences between social strata will be discussed alongside reflections on daily life, and the inner dynamics of Ottoman society will be elucidated. By analyzing architectural structures, dwellings, clothing styles, food and beverage culture, and daily activities, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the daily life of the Ottoman Empire. In addition, they will gain an understanding of how Ottoman daily life in significant areas such as commerce, crafts, entertainment, and education influenced the social and economic structure. At the end of this course, students will be able to evaluate the history of the Ottoman Empire through everyday life experiences and will have a broader understanding of Ottoman history.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Understanding fundamental concepts and terminology related to daily life in the Ottoman Empire: Students will acquire knowledge of fundamental concepts and terminology related to daily life in the Ottoman Empire, forming a solid foundation for comprehending the society and culture of the era.
2   Understanding the social structure of Ottoman society: By analyzing various aspects of daily life, students will gain insight into the different social classes and their interrelationships within Ottoman society, thereby gaining a greater understanding of the overall social structure.
3   Assessing the influence of daily activities on the economy and trade: By analyzing the role of everyday life in the Ottoman Empire, students will gain an understanding of the period's economic structure and activities.
4   Understanding lifestyle and cultural diversity in the Ottoman Empire: Students will investigate how cultural interactions from diverse geographical regions influenced lifestyles and cultural richness in daily life during the Ottoman Empire, allowing them to discover the empire's diverse cultural heritage.
5   Considering the significance of daily existence in historical narratives: In addition to recognizing the traditional emphasis on significant events and political changes in historical narratives, students will also recognize the crucial role of daily life in shaping history, which will contribute to their appreciation of the diversity and richness of historical accounts.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction: The significance of researching daily life in historical contexts Overview of the Ottoman Empire, including its origins, expansion, and significant periods.
2 Social Structure Examination of social classes: ruling elite, religious scholars, merchants, artisans, and peasants; interactions and relationships among different social classes.
3 Family Life and Gender Roles Family structures and dynamics in the Ottoman society; exploration of gender roles and expectations
4 Housing and Architecture Understanding the architecture of Ottoman houses and palaces; the role of architecture in shaping urban and rural spaces.
5 Clothing and Fashion Overview of traditional Ottoman clothing and its symbolic significance; fashion trends among different social classes.
6 Cuisine and Food Culture Exploration of Ottoman culinary traditions and regional specialties; the impact of trade and cultural exchanges on Ottoman cuisine.
7 Daily Customs and Rituals Analysis of daily customs, rituals, and traditions in the Ottoman society; the influence of religion on everyday practices.
8 Midterm
9 Entertainment and Leisure Popular forms of entertainment in the Ottoman Empire; examination of music, dance, storytelling, and other leisure activities.
10 Education and Knowledge Education system in the Ottoman Empire: madrasas, libraries, and scholars; the role of knowledge and learning in shaping society.
11 Health and Medicine Traditional medicine and medical practices in the Ottoman society; the importance of public health and sanitation.
12 Trade and Economy Overview of the Ottoman economic system and trade networks; the role of merchants and guilds in the economy.
13 Art and Culture Appreciation of Ottoman art forms: calligraphy, miniature painting, and ceramics; the impact of art and culture on society and identity.
14 Technology and Reforms Technological advancements and reforms during the Ottoman Empire; understanding the role of technology and reform in everyday life.
15 Ottoman Legacy Reflection on the legacy of the Ottoman Empire in modern-day societies; contemporary perspectives on the significance of studying everyday life in history.
16 Final

Recomended or Required Reading

Students will receive a textbook (pdf) detailing the 14-week course outline.
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Agoston, Gabor, & Masters, B. A. (2010). Encyclopedia of the Ottoman Empire. Infobase Publishing.
Costantini, V., & Markus, K. (2008). Living in the Ottoman Ecumenical Community: Essays in Honour of Suraiya Faroqhi. Brill.
Deguilhem, R., & Faroqhi, S. (2005). Crafts and Craftsmen of the Middle East: Fashioning the Individual in the Muslim Mediterranean (illustrated edition). I. B. Tauris.
Doumani, B. B. (2017). Family Life in the Ottoman Empire: A Social History. Cambridge University Press.
Eckert, A., & Jones, A. (2002). Introduction: Historical Writing about Everyday Life. Journal of African Cultural Studies, 15(1), 5-16.
Faroqhi (ed.), S. (2015). Bread from the Lion s Mouth: Artisans Struggling for a Livelihood in Ottoman Cities. Berghahn Books.
Faroqhi, S. (1999). Approaching Ottoman history an introduction to the sources. Cambridge University Press.
Faroqhi, S. (2004). The Ottoman Empire and the World Around It. I.B. Tauris.
Faroqhi, S. (2009). Artisans of Empire: Crafts and Craftspeople Under the Ottomans.
Faroqhi, S. (2010). Coping with the State: Political Conflict and Crime in the Ottoman Empire, 1550-1720. Gorgias Press.
Faroqhi, S. (2014). Travel and Artisans in the Ottoman Empire: Employment and Mobility in the Early Modern Era. I.B. Tauris.
Faroqhi, S. (2016). A Cultural History of the Ottomans: The Imperial Elite and its Artefacts. I.B.Tauris.
Faroqhi, S. (2023). Women in the Ottoman Empire: A Social and Political History. I.B. Tauris.
Grehan, J. P. (2011). Everyday Life and Consumer Culture in Eighteenth-Century Damascus. University of Washington Press.
Kia, M. (2011). Daily Life in the Ottoman Empire. Greenwood.
Metinsoy, E. M. (2017). Ottoman Women during World War I: Everyday Experiences. Cambridge University Press.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lectures (The instructor will present in-depth lectures on important topics related to daily life in the Ottoman Empire)
Presentations (Use of multimedia resources, including videos, images, and historical documents, to enhance comprehension and participation)
Discussions (Conducting debates on travelogues to promote critical thinking and analysis)

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE MIDTERM EXAM
2 PAR PARTICIPATION
3 FIN FINAL EXAM
4 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.40 + PAR * 0.10 + FIN * 0.50
5 RST RESIT
6 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.40 + PAR * 0.10 + RST * 0.50


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

This course employs a balanced approach to evaluate students' comprehension and interest in the material. The evaluation consists of three components, with the midterm examination accounting for 40% of the total grade, the final examination for the 50% and class participation for the remaining 10%. The midterm examination will consist of both objective and essay-style questions, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge and critical reasoning. Students will be encouraged to synthesize their learning from the entire semester and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the complexities of ordinary life in the Ottoman Empire on the final exam, which carries a heavier weight. In addition, throughout the course, students' participation in class discussions will be evaluated to ensure a comprehensive assessment of their progress and engagement with the learning process. The combination of these assessment methods is intended to facilitate a comprehensive and well-rounded evaluation of students' academic performance and overall subject mastery.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria for this course are intended to provide a transparent framework for evaluating students' performance and knowledge of the material. The evaluation will be based on the following standards:
- Students will be evaluated on their knowledge and comprehension of the main concepts, historical events, and social structures associated with daily life in the Ottoman Empire. This criterion will assess the extent to which students comprehend the foundational information presented in lectures and readings.
- Students will be evaluated on their ability to analyze and interpret historical sources, artifacts, and primary documents. The course promotes critical thinking skills. Students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to engage critically with the material and draw logical conclusions.
- Active participation in classroom discussions, group activities, and debates will be assessed. The willingness of students to contribute positively to the learning environment and interact with their peers will be considered.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

Attendance to 70% of the courses is compulsory.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Yakup ÖZTÜRK

E-mail: yakup.ozturk@deu.edu.tr
Tel : 0232 301 8735

Office Hours

Monday 10.00-12.00

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 14 2 28
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 14 3 42
Preparation for midterm exam 1 10 10
Preparation for final exam 1 20 20
Reading 14 3 42
Midterm 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 146

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12
LO.144
LO.25
LO.3454
LO.445
LO.545