Information Package / Course Catalogue
Alevism Bektashism
Course Code: İL317
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

This course on Alevism and Bektashism aims to explore these traditions—significant components of Islamic thought and history—from historical, theological, cultural, and social perspectives. It seeks to provide students with an understanding of the historical origins, core beliefs and practices, literary and mystical dimensions of Alevism and Bektashism, as well as their transformations from the Ottoman period to the present day. Students are expected to critically analyze the Alevi-Bektashi intellectual tradition within its proper context and evaluate its contemporary expressions.

Course Content

Basic concepts, Emergence of Bektashism and Alevism, Sunni-Kizilbash Differentiation; its origin and basic qualities, Ottoman Safavid struggle and its effect on the formation of Alevism.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.The student learns the formation of the Alevi-Bektashi tradition
2.Students comprehend the common and different points of the Alevi-Bektashi tradition
3.Students comprehend the basic elements of the Alevi-Bektashi written and oral tradition
4.Students comprehend the modern period crises and engagements of the Alevi-Bektashi society
5.Have knowledge about the demands of Alevi Bektashis
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Ahmet Yaşar Ocak, Türkler, Türkiye ve İslam, İletişim yayınları, 2011.
2.Ahmet Yaşar Ocak, Türk Sufiliğine Bakışlar, iletişim yayınları, 2016.
3.Ahmed Yaşar, Ocak, Osmanlı Toplumunca Zındıklar ve Mülhidler: 15-17. yüzyıllar, İstanbul 1998.
4.Ethem Ruhi, Fığhalı, Türkiye’de Alevilik Bektaşilik, İstanbul 1990.
5.Irene, Melikoff, Hacı Bektaş: Efsaneden Gerçeğe, İstanbul 1998.
6.Irene, Melikoff, Uyur İdik Uyardılar, çev. Turan Alptekin, İstanbul 1993.
7.Makalat, derleyen Ali Yılmaz, Diyanet Vakfı yayınları, 2007.
8.Mehmet, Yaman, Alevilik, İnanç, Edep, Erkan, Demos yayınları, 2012.
9.Orhan, Türkdoğan, Alevi-Bektaşi Kimliği, Timaş yayınları, 1995.
10.Rıza Yıldırım, Menakıb-ı Evliya, Buyruk, Yapı Kredi Yayınları, 2020.
11.Rıza, Yıldırım, Geleneksel Alevilik, iletişim Yayınları, 2018.
12.Mehmet Çelenk, 16-17. Yüzyıllarda İran’da Şiiliğin Seyri, Emin yayınları, 2013.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The phenomenon of sect in Islamic Tradition and the connection of the course with other theological fields
Week 1 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 2 - Theoretical
Shia and Ahl al-Bayt in the Islamic tradition.
Week 2 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 3 - Theoretical
The zahiri and batini sects that emerged in the Islamic tradition.
Week 3 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 4 - Theoretical
The concepts of Alevism and Bektashism, the development course of the concepts of Alevism and Bektashism.
Week 4 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 5 - Theoretical
The emergence of Anatolian Alevism on the stage of history, the Safavid Dervish lodge, the Ottoman / Safavid struggle and its effects on the formation of Alevi / Kizilbas thought.
Week 5 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 6 - Theoretical
Founding leaders and the thought of Alevisim
Week 6 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 7 - Theoretical
Basic components of Alevi / Kizilbash ş thought, Islam, Shia, Sufism, Old Turkish tradition.
Week 7 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 8 - Theoretical
Alevi / Bektashi difference and their Institutional structuring
Week 8 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 9 - Theoretical
Written sources of Alevi / Kizilbash thought: Buyruks
Week 9 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 10 - Theoretical
Verbal nature of Alevi / Kizilbash thought
Week 10 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 11 - Theoretical
The process of opening up Alevi / Kizilbash thought to the public sphere, the demands of the Alevi community.
Week 11 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 12 - Theoretical
Evolution of Alevi / Kizilbash thought and crises
Week 12 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 13 - Theoretical
the process of "Alevi Açılımı" and the workshops on Alevism
Week 13 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Week 14 - Theoretical
New public faces of Alevism, Writers, Poets, Politicians. General evaluation of the course
Week 14 - Preparation Work
Book, article and internet research on the content
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory143270
Reading2228
Individual Work2228
Midterm Examination1314
Final Examination1314
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)94
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
PÇ-19
PÇ-20
OÇ-1
3
3
3
4
3
4
3
3
3
5
3
3
3
3
5
3
2
5
3
5
OÇ-2
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
2
5
4
3
3
3
5
3
3
5
3
5
OÇ-3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
3
3
3
3
5
4
3
5
3
5
OÇ-4
3
3
2
3
2
3
2
3
2
5
3
3
2
3
5
3
2
5
2
5
OÇ-5
3
3
4
3
3
4
3
4
3
5
3
3
3
3
5
3
3
5
3
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026