OCMO 2335 - Turkey’s Changing State and Society. Domestic and Global Power Dynamics

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

Turkey has a strategic position at the crossroads of several of the world's critical regional complexes, such as the Middle East, Europe, and Caucasus. As the successor of the Ottoman Empire, one of the longest surviving empires in history, Turkey retains historical, political and cultural ties with these regions.

This course introduces students to the study of Turkish politics and foreign policy from the standpoint of political sociology, with a focus on contemporary reconfigurations of power. It provides keys to a better understanding of political developments – both domestic and international. Students will explore issues such as the regime issue, reconfigurations of the judiciary, the political economy of the hegemonic party (Justice and Development Party), new positionings of Turkey in surrounding regions (especially Middle East) and internationally, new patterns of ”soft power” and non-state actors.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Expertise on Turkish and Middle Eastern studies, with the ability to make better sense of what one reads in the news
• Writing skills
• Group working skills
• Acquire comparative tools and knowledge to think of hybrid regimes in different contexts

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Strategic analysis,
• Analytical and critical skills,
• Investigation and research,
• Report writing
• Oral presentation skills

No prerequisite is required but some basic knowledge of the Middle East is more than useful.

Oral presentation : written feedback in the week following the presentation

Research paper: written feedback at the end of the semester

• Group (2 students) take home research paper on Turkish society and politics (English) : 40% (end of semester)
• Individual oral presentation (in English) : 40% (during the semester)
• Participation : 10% (during the semester)
• Short feedback on news item : 10% (during the semester)

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities:
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week/24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 25 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 25 hours a semesterr