Information Package / Course Catalogue
Political Change and Modernisation in Turkey
Course Code: KYB544
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

To be able to explain the dynamics and processes of Ottoman-Turkish modernisation through the concept of modernisation, to be able to explain Turkey's history of democracy and political change process in the line extending to today and to be able to identify the continuities and breaks in the process.

Course Content

Conceptual framework of modernisation and Westernisation, theoretical debates in Ottoman-Turkish modernisation, history of modernisation, economic, political, social and cultural dynamics of change.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. İlyas KARABIYIK
Learning Outcomes
1.Defines the concepts related to Reform and Turkish modernisation.
2.Compares the history of Turkish modernisation and change through social, political and economic structures by considering different historical periods.
3.Systematise and explain the history of Turkish modernisation by considering economic, political and cultural processes.
4.Analyses modern political, social and economic structures together with the changes in Turkish political and social life.
5.Evaluates the process of modernisation and change in Turkish political life in the context of political institutions, law, state-society relations, civil society organisations and human rights.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Zürcher Erik Jan; Turkey, a Modern History, İletişim Publishers, İstanbul, 2000.
2.Özbudun Ergun, Contemporary Turkish Politics, Lynne Rienner Publishers, London, 2000.
3.Turkey in Transition, Edt: İrvin & Tonak, Belge Publishers, İstanbul 2006.
4.Modern Political Thought in Turkey, Volume:3, Modernisation and Westernism, edt: Bora & Gültekingil, İletişim Publishers, İstanbul, 2007.
5.Political Life in Turkey, Edt: Mehmet Kabasakal, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi Publishers, İstanbul, 2016.
6.Political Change and Modernisation in Turkey, Edt: Kalaycıoğlu & Sarıbay, Alfa Publishers, Bursa, 2000.
7.Özbudun Ergun, Constitutionalism and Democracy, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi Publishers, İstanbul, 2015.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Foundations of Modernity, Westernisation, Modernity and Modernisation
Week 2 - Theoretical
Consolidation of Democracy in Türkiye: The Theoretical Foundation ; Democracy in Türkiye from Independence to Foundation
Week 3 - Theoretical
A Key to Explain Turkish Politics: Centre-Periphery Relations ; The Phenomenon of Modernisation in Türkiye ; On Three Main Paradigms Problematising Turkish Modernisation
Week 4 - Theoretical
Reform: The Quest for Modernisation and Political Change ; Reform: Man and Reform Society ; Extreme Westernisation after Reform ; Formation of the Modern State in Türkiye ; From Empire to Modern Nation State
Week 5 - Theoretical
Kemalism: Modernisation, State and Democracy ; State Thought in Atatürk ; Kemalism or Turkish Enlightenment
Week 6 - Theoretical
Transformation of Economic Structure in Turkish Modernisation ; Political Economy of Democracy in Türkiye ; Economic Development and Depression 1950-1980
Week 7 - Theoretical
Single Party Period; Transition to Multi-Party System and Problems of Democracy in Türkiye
Week 8 - Theoretical
The Establishment of the Multi-Party System; 1971-80 and the Future After 1980
Week 9 - Theoretical
The Role of the Army in Turkish Modernisation; Politics and the Army
Week 10 - Theoretical
Religion, Ideology and Politics in Türkiye ; Radical Nationalist Right ; Religious Right
Week 11 - Theoretical
Modernisation, Westernisation and the Turkish Left
Week 12 - Theoretical
Civil Society Organisations as a Symbol of Modernisation and Westernisation; Local Governments and Reform
Week 13 - Theoretical
Political Participation and Political Culture in Türkiye ; Cultural Westernisation ; The Place of Westernisation in Turkish Novel
Week 14 - Theoretical
On Secularism Movements in the Ottoman State; Separation of Powers and Political Culture from the Judicial Perspective
Week 15 - Theoretical
State of Law and Independence of the Judiciary ; Westernisation of Law in Türkiye ; Constitutionalism and Democracy in Türkiye
Week 16 - Theoretical
Human Rights and Türkiye
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory144398
Midterm Examination110111
Final Examination120121
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)130
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
OÇ-1
5
3
5
4
4
OÇ-2
5
4
4
3
5
OÇ-3
5
5
4
4
5
OÇ-4
4
5
4
3
5
OÇ-5
5
3
4
5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026