Information Package / Course Catalogue
Traditional Turkish Arts
Course Code: İST515
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 examine the historical development, material and technical characteristics, and aesthetic principles of traditional Turkish arts at an advanced level; to materialize theoretical knowledge through small-scale design, motif, and technical trials in selected branches of art; to develop original interpretation and research skills by analyzing traditional works in terms of form, style, and composition.

Course Content

Historical contexts, production techniques, materials, and aesthetic features of illumination (tezhip), miniature, paper cut-out (katı'), marbling (ebru), tile, carpet-kilim, bookbinding, and other traditional Turkish arts; work and source examinations; motif drawing, composition drafting, paper cutting, and pattern trials in selected techniques; critical evaluation of application examples and student portfolio. Applications are conducted as supporting activities within the 3-hour theoretical course.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the historical development, fundamental concepts, and material and technical characteristics of traditional Turkish arts.
2.Compares examples of arts such as illumination (tezhip), miniature, paper cut-out (katı'), marbling (ebru), tile, and weaving in terms of technique, form, function, and style.
3.Recognizes selected traditional art techniques and creates a motif, pattern, or composition draft through guided brief applications.
4.Critically evaluates their own design trials within the framework of traditional aesthetic principles and historical examples.
5.Prepares a portfolio and presentation in accordance with ethical principles, combining academic source-based research with application examples.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Özkeçeci, İlhan and Özkeçeci, Ş. (2012). Turkish Ornamentation: Motif and Design in Classical Period Ottoman Ornamentation. Sanat Kitabevi.
2.Mesara, G. (1998). Fine Paper Cut-out Art (Katı') in Turkish Art. Prime Ministry Printing House.
3.Birol, İ. A. and Derman, Ç. (1991). Motifs in Turkish Decorative Arts. Kubbealtı Neşriyatı.
4.Barışta, H. Ö. (1988). Motifs in Turkish Handicrafts. Ministry of Culture and Tourism Publications.
5.Çağman, F. (2014). Kat'ı: The Art of Paper Cutting and its Artists in the Ottoman World. Aygaz Publications.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Scope and terminology of traditional Turkish arts and the application framework of the course.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Workshop and master-apprentice tradition; materials, tools, and application safety.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Historical development of illumination (tezhip) art; drawing of basic floral motifs.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Motif, symmetry, and composition in tezhip; border or corner-piece draft.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Miniature art and depiction tradition; figure-space arrangement draft.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Katı' (paper cut-out) art; simple motif application using paper cutting technique.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Marbling (ebru) art; materials and techniques, battal marbling application.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Tile and ceramic arts; rumi, hatayi, and geometric pattern draft.
Week 9 - Theoretical
Carpet and kilim arts; geometric motif and repetition order.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Bookbinding and book arts; şemse (sunburst) and salbek (pendant) composition draft.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Stylization in traditional arts; developing motifs from natural forms.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Developing an original motif or pattern composition in the selected branch of art.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Evaluation of student applications in terms of material, technique, style, and aesthetics.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Evaluation of the theory-practice relationship; final portfolio and project presentations.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory145070
Assignment142028
Midterm Examination114014
Final Examination114014
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)126
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
OÇ-1
4
4
4
4
4
4
OÇ-2
4
4
4
4
4
3
OÇ-3
4
4
3
4
4
3
OÇ-4
4
4
4
4
4
2
OÇ-5
4
4
4
4
2
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026