Information Package / Course Catalogue
Turkic-Islamic Literature: Concepts and Themes
Course Code: İST500
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 provide graduate students with a solid foundation of knowledge regarding the historical development and literature of the field by introducing the conceptual framework, temporal and spatial boundaries, primary sources, key figures and works, and the principal themes contained within the works of Turco-Islamic literature. The objective is to cultivate researchers who can critically evaluate debates concerning the nomenclature and scope of the field, and who are capable of identifying and accessing the appropriate sources for their research.

Course Content

The definition of and debates surrounding the nomenclature of Turco-Islamic literature; the relationship between religion and literature; temporal and spatial boundaries; fundamental concepts, primary sources, and key figures and significant works—categorized by period and geography—within the field; and the principal themes addressed in these works.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Critically evaluates the naming debates, time-space boundaries, and fundamental concepts within the field of Turkish Islamic Literature.
2.Analyzes the relationship between religion and literature, as well as the transformation of Turkish literature following the acceptance of Islam, within historical and geographical contexts.
3.Recognizes the primary biographical and bibliographical sources of the field and demonstrates the ability to access accurate resources for academic research.
4.Examines prominent figures and their works across different centuries and the Sufi tradition, starting from early period works.
5.Classifies literary genres centered around Allah (cc) and the Prophet Muhammad, and conducts thematic evaluations through selected texts.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Çavuşoğlu, Ali. Türk İslâm Edebiyatı (Kitaplar, Türler, Devirler ve Şahsiyetler) [Turkish-Islamic Literature (Books, Genres, Periods, and Figures)]. Kayseri: Kimlik Publications.
2.Güzel, Abdurrahman. Dinî-Tasavvufî Türk Edebiyatı El Kitabı [Handbook of Religious-Sufi Turkish Literature]. Ankara: Akçağ Publications.
3.İsen, Mustafa, et al. Eski Türk Edebiyatı El Kitabı [Handbook of Old Turkish Literature]. Ankara: Grafiker Publications.
4.Kemikli, Bilal. Türk İslam Edebiyatı Giriş [Introduction to Turkish-Islamic Literature]. Bursa: Emin Publications.
5.Köprülü, M. Fuad. Türk Edebiyatında İlk Mutasavvıflar [Early Mystics in Turkish Literature]. Istanbul: Alfa Publications.
6.Levend, Agah Sırrı. Divan Edebiyatı Kelimeler ve Remizler, Mazmunlar ve Mefhumlar [Divan Literature: Words and Symbols, Motifs and Concepts]. Istanbul: Dergâh Publications.
7.Mengi, Mine. Eski Türk Edebiyatı Tarihi [History of Old Turkish Literature]. Ankara: Akçağ Publications.
8.TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi [TDV Encyclopedia of Islam], relevant articles.
9.Yıldız, Âlim. Türk İslam Edebiyatı [Turkish-Islamic Literature]. Istanbul: Rağbet Publications.
10.Yılmaz, Ali, et al. Türk İslâm Edebiyatı El Kitabı [Handbook of Turkish-Islamic Literature]. Ankara: Grafiker Publications.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to the course, defining the field, and conceptual discussions: terms such as Turkish-Islamic Literature, Sufi Literature, Old Turkish Literature, Divan Literature, etc.
Week 2 - Theoretical
What is, and what is not, Turkish-Islamic literature?
Week 3 - Theoretical
The relationship between humanity and literature, and religion and literature.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Temporal and Spatial Boundaries: The transformation in Turkish literature following the adoption of Islam; the Karakhanid, Khwarazm-Kipchak, Chagatai, Azerbaijani, Anatolian, and Balkan spheres.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Biographical sources.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Bibliographic sources.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Works from the Early Period: Kutadgu Bilig, Atebetü’l-Hakayık, Divan-ı Hikmet, Divanu Lügati’t-Türk.
Week 8 - Theoretical
13th–14th Century Anatolian Sphere: Mevlana, Yunus Emre, Aşık Paşa.
Week 9 - Theoretical
15th Century: Süleyman Çelebi and the *Mevlid* tradition. Ahmedi, Şeyhi, and the early *mesnevî*s.
Week 10 - Theoretical
16th Century: Fuzuli, Baki.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Sufi Literature: Niyazi-i Mısri, Şeyh Galib, and İsmail Hakkı Bursevi.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Works concerning the Prophet; literary genres.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Literary genres concerning Allah (SWT).
Week 14 - Theoretical
General Assessment: A thematic evaluation of the primary subjects contained within the works, along with reading and discussion based on selected texts.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Assignment1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142370
Assignment35118
Presentation 35118
Midterm Examination110111
Final Examination113114
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)131
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
OÇ-1
5
4
4
3
5
2
OÇ-2
4
5
3
3
5
2
OÇ-3
3
2
4
5
2
5
OÇ-4
3
5
3
4
4
3
OÇ-5
3
4
2
4
5
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026