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Intermediate Ottoman 

Dr. Çağlar Deniz

 

In the Intermediate course, students will deepen the textual analysis skills introduced at the end of the beginner level. Over 12 weeks, we will engage with texts from nearly every walk of life to ensure students become well-acquainted with diverse subject matter. Nevertheless, the primary focus will remain on the social sciences. The core of this course consists of selected texts from fields such as art, literature, sociology, history, and psychology, as well as articles and news reports from various periodicals. At the intermediate level, students will also be introduced to manuscript reading, with a specific emphasis on Rika script. Additionally, we will survey texts written in other calligraphic styles such as Thuluth (Sülüs), Ta'liq, Divani, and Ijaza (İcazi).

 

Syllabus

  • Session 1

    • Text: General overview of vowel marks (harakah) in printed texts and why unvocalized texts are more common; readings from Mızraklı İlmihal and the Divan of Yunus Emre.

  • Session 2

    • Text: Readings from books on sociology (İçtimaiyat) and psychology (İlm-i Ruh).

  • Session 3

    • Text: A section from Tarih-i Umumi (General History).

  • Session 4

    • Text: General overview and sample readings of the usage areas of Naskh, Rika, Thuluth, Ta'liq, Divani, and Ijaza scripts.

  • Session 5

    • Text: An excerpt from the Epic of Köroğlu.

  • Session 6

    • Text: Ottoman hagiography (Menakıb) texts and a section from Menakıb-ı Hacı Bektaş Veli.

  • Session 7

    • Text: High Ottoman (Ağdalı Osmanlıca) and a reading of a Ghazal by Baki.

  • Session 8

    • Text: Deciphering Imperial Tughras and sample Tughra readings.

  • Session 9

    • Text: A section from The New Housewife’s Cookbook (Yeni Ev Kadının Yemek Kitabı).

  • Session 10

    • Text: Humor in the Ottoman Era: Sections from Letaif-i Hoca Nasreddin and the Book of Karagöz with Songs and Cantos.

  • Session 11

    • Text: Ottoman Madrasa Books: Sections from Karabaş Tecvidi and Birgivi İlmihali.

  • Session 12

    • Text: Ottoman Military Texts: Sections from the Endaht Nizamnamesi (Firing Regulations) and Harp Mecmuası (The War Gazette).

 

About the instructor 

Dr. Deniz is a versatile scholar with a PhD in sociology from Istanbul University, following academic training at Selçuk and Gazi Universities. With a global academic footprint, they have served as a visiting researcher at the University of Delaware and a guest lecturer at both the University of Ljubljana and Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University. A prolific author and editor, Dr. Deniz has published extensively on topics ranging from Turkish modernization and social movements to refugee integration and Alevi theological texts, including the recent 2024 work Tabibu Kulubi’l-Asfiya Seyr-i Süluk-i Evliya. Beyond the classroom, they have contributed their expertise as a scientific consultant for TRT documentaries and hold a certification in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. Currently pursuing further studies in tourism guidance at Osmangazi University, Dr. Deniz actively teaches courses on gender equality, Old Anatolian Turkish, and medieval Arabic.

 

Course Details

Schedule: Thursdays, 2 April 2026 – 18 June 2026

Time: 9:00–10:00 AM (US Pacific), 12:00–1:00 PM (US Eastern), 6:00–7:00 PM (Central European)

Format: 12 online sessions 

​Tuition: $300 (payable in 3 installments)

 

Notes:

  • Class days and times may be adjusted in accordance with the request of enrollees.

  •  ​​Registered participants will receive full access to recorded session videos and all course materials.​

 

Registration link: https://forms.gle/sYUJxWHHrBx56fyJ7 

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