Course Objectives: |
Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey was established on the secular and unitary structure of the nation-state, which was formed through the historical experience of modernization. The founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was a key figure in the development of this organization. Kemal Atatürk saw the Turkish Revolution as an opportunity to establish a nation-state and modernity and secularism in Turkey, and he believed that the Kemalist Thought could be a valuable teaching tool for the younger generation. The courses that the students attend are based on the fundamental principles of the Turkish Revolution, which were established by the founder of the Republic of Turkey. These principles are based on reason and science, and they are adapted according to the national principles of contemporary norms.
The courses aim to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to solve contemporary problems at the country level. They also help students to understand the world around them and to gain the ability to analyse it. |
Course Content: |
The Turkish Revolution, which paralleled the founding of the Republic of Turkey, was a defining moment in Turkish history. It was a revolution that shaped the Turkish imperial past and evaluated Turkish society at the level of contemporary nation-states and the system of values. The defining moments of the nation-state were the 1908 Revolution, the 1914-1918, 1918-1922 and 1923-60 sections. The modern Turkish nation-state was born. The state and social restructuring within the framework of the state of the Turkish political and social system occurred. The system as a whole has undergone significant changes, shaped by the size and political implementation of social, economic and cultural change phenomena. This transformation has been analysed through the lens of internal and external political events, as well as the thoughts and activities of all actors. This historical process has shaped the contemporary Turkish society we see today, and has also presented challenges for Turkish politics. |
Week |
Subject |
Related Preparation |
1) |
Outlines of 20th century history |
Eric Hobsbawm, Kısa 20 Yüzyıl: Aşırılıklar Çağı, s. 13-31 |
2) |
Political Life 1923-1945 |
Çağdaş Türkiye 1908-1980, s. 85-154 |
3) |
The formation of Atatürk's principles and Republican ideology |
Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türkiye Ansiklopedisi, c.1 s. 86-88 |
4) |
Social & cultural transformation between 1923-1950 |
Modern Türkiye’de Siyasi Düşünce: Modernleşme ve Batıcılık, s.382-402 |
5) |
Economy in Turkey between 1923-1945 |
Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türkiye Ansiklopedisi, c.2 s. 412-418 |
6) |
Foreign policy in Turkey between 1923-1950 |
Erik Jan Zürcher, Modernleşen Türkiye’nin Tarihi, s. 291-298 |
7) |
1945-1950: Transition to multi-party political life in Turkey |
Eray Yılmaz, İmparatorluktan Ulus Devlete Türkiye Tarihi, s. 265-270 |
8) |
Mid-Term Exam |
None |
9) |
Democrat Party rule between 1950-1960: Political Developments |
Erik Jan Zürcher, Modernleşen Türkiye’nin Tarihi, s. 321-350 |
10) |
1960 - 1980 politics in Turkey |
Feroz Ahmad, Bir Kimlik Peşinde Türkiye, s.147-182. |
11) |
Economic Development and Social Change in Turkey between 1960-1980 |
Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türkiye Ansiklopedisi, c.4 s. 1065-1073 |
12) |
The 1980 coup and the rise of neo-liberalism |
Feroz Ahmad, Bir Kimlik Peşinde Türkiye, s. 185-198 |
13) |
Constitutions in Turkey |
Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türkiye Ansiklopedisi, c.1 s. 18-54 |
14) |
General Review |
None |
15) |
Final Exam |
None |
Course Notes / Textbooks: |
Yok |
References: |
Eric Hobsbawm, Kısa 20 Yüzyıl: Aşırılıklar Çağı, İstanbul: Everest Yayınları, 2006.
Erik Jan Zürcher, Modernleşen Türkiye'nin Tarihi, İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 1993.
Eray Yılmaz, İmparatorluktan Ulus Devlete Türkiye Tarihi, İstanbul: Efe Akademi, 2021.
Feroz Ahmad, Bir Kimlik Peşinde Türkiye, İstanbul: Bilgi Üniversitesi Yayınları, 2007.
Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türkiye Ansiklopedisi, İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 1983.
Çağdaş Türkiye 1908-1980 (Yayın Yönetmeni Sina Akşin), İstanbul: Cem Yayınevi, 2005.
Modern Türkiye’de Siyasi Düşünce: Modernleşme ve Batıcılık, İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 2002.
Yüzyıl Biterken Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türkiye Ansiklopedisi, İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları, 1995. |