Information Package / Course Catalogue
19th Century Ottoman Modernisation
Course Code: SBE519
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

The aim of this course is to analyse the political, administrative, military, social, cultural and economic dimensions of the modernisation process in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century and to analyse the causes, dynamics and consequences of this transformation. The course aims to evaluate Ottoman modernisation not only as a process of Westernisation, but also as a unique response to the empire's internal needs, crises and changing world order.

Course Content

In this course, the proclamation of the Tanzimat and Islahat Edicts, bureaucratic reforms, changes in education, new army and finance structures, provincial regulations, centralisation policies, developments in communication and transportation infrastructure, legal regulations and their social effects are examined. In addition, the relationship between Ottoman modernisation and developments in Europe, the implementation of modernisation in the provinces and social reactions to this process (e.g. ayans, ulema, local notables) are evaluated. Throughout the course, the continuities and break points of the modernisation process are discussed through documents and testimonies of the period.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Res. Assist. Lütfi BUDAK
Learning Outcomes
1.To be able to analyse 19th century Ottoman modernisation, its main causes, actors and reform areas.
2.Can evaluate the effects of Tanzimat and Islahat Edicts on the Ottoman administrative structure.
3.Can explain the structural transformations in the fields of education, army, finance and law during the modernisation process.
4.Can interpret the Ottoman modernisation in historical context by comparing it with similar processes in Europe.
5.Discuss the effects of modernisation policies on different segments of society (provincial notables, ulema, non-Muslims, etc.).
Recommended or Required Reading
1.İbrahim Emre Günay, 19. Yüzyıl Osmanlı Modernleşmesi ve Basın, Nobel Yayınları, İstanbul, 2024.
2.Kemal Karpat, Osmanlı Modernleşmesi, Timaş Yayınları, İstanbul, 2023.
3.Ahmet Dönmez, Osmanlı Modernleşmesi, Kitap Yayınları, İstanbul, 2022.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction and Conceptual Framework Basic concepts for understanding Ottoman modernisation: modernisation, reform, centralisation, Westernisation, continuity and rupture debates.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Transition from the 18th Century to the 19th Century: Preliminary Modernisation Seekings Selim III period and Nizam-ı Cedid; 1808 Sened-i İttifak and the first reforms of Mahmud II.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Reforms of Mahmud II Period Centralisation policies, new army (Asakir-i Mansure), bureaucratic transformation and the relationship between the ulema and the new order.
Week 4 - Theoretical
Tanzimat Edict and the Beginning of the New Era (1839) The content of the Tanzimat Edict, the proclamation process, its objectives and internal/external reactions.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Administrative and Legal Reforms in the Tanzimat Period Provincial regulations, assemblies, new legal system and legalisation efforts.
Week 6 - Theoretical
Modernisation in Education Rüştiyeler, idadiler, Darülfünun and new educational cadres; transformation of classical and modern educational institutions.
Week 7 - Theoretical
Finance and Tax Reforms Muhassıllık Assemblies, tax regulations, budget implementations and modern understanding of finance.
Week 8 - Intermediate Exam
Midterm Exam
Week 9 - Theoretical
Islahat Fermanı (1856) and Equality Policies Status of non-Muslim subjects, social equality discourse and international pressures.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Modernisation and Implementation Problems in the Ottoman Provinces Bureaucratic structure in the provinces, relations with local elites, obstacles encountered in implementation.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Reforms Railways, telegraph, postal organisation and their effects on administration.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Army Reforms and Military Transformation New military schools, modern officer cadres, technical specialisations and changes in army structure.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Social Consequences of 19th Century Modernisation Family, gender, everyday life, social classes and the emergence of new social actors.
Week 14 - Theoretical
Assessment: Achievements, Limits and Legacy An overview of modernisation, analysis on the axis of continuity/divergence and the process leading up to the Constitutional Monarchy II.
Week 15 - Final Exam
Final
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142370
Reading52220
Individual Work42216
Midterm Examination15510
Final Examination15510
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)126
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
OÇ-1
3
1
2
3
2
OÇ-2
3
1
2
3
3
OÇ-3
3
2
1
1
1
3
3
OÇ-4
3
1
2
3
2
OÇ-5
3
1
2
3
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026