Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

In this travel and study subject, students assess the cultural, social, architectural and political history of the Ottoman Empire to the First World War. On location at historic sites in Turkey in Bursa, Edirne and Istanbul, the three Ottoman capitals, students examine six key periods of Ottoman history: the early Ottomans, the conquest of Constantinople, the 'classical' era of Suleyman the Magnificent and his successors, the eighteenth-century 'Tulip Age', nineteenth-century Europeanization and reform, and the Gallipoli campaign. Initial classes in this subject will take place in December every second year (ie 2007, 2009, 2011etc) and travel to Turkey will occur in the January.

Objectives

On successful completion of HSY2130 students will:

1. Acquire a broad knowledge of the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire and an understanding of key themes, periods and personalities.

2. Experience first-hand key institutions, monuments and artefacts of the Ottoman/Islamic world and develop conceptual frameworks for integrating material culture into the understanding of historical pasts.

3. Be conversant with a range of primary sources and develop a critical appreciation of the strengths and limitations of texts, particularly travelogues, in the production of historical knowledge.

4. Develop an understanding of mapping cultural landscapes in space and time.

5. Gain experience in the planning and organisation of a critical essay involving both primary and secondary sources.

Assessment

Tutorial presentation prepared in Melbourne for oral delivery in Turkey (1,000 words): 10%
2000-word paper written after visiting the site of the informal tutorial presentation (2,000 words): 20%
Travel journal written in Turkey (2,000 words): 20%
Research essay 4,000 words 50%

Contact hours

Three-weeks intensive study in Turkey: and two 2-hour seminars in Melbourne.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

History

Prerequisites

A first year sequence in History or permission from Head of School

Prohibitions

HSY3130