Study Abroad Program
The SFSU Islamic Cityscapes Program in Turkey ◆ June 2010
6 UNITS
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Spend a month in Turkey studying Ottoman and Turkish culture through its historic urban neighborhoods, its architecture, its multifaceted musical, religious, social and political culture, its economy its ideals. This class invites students to study in two Turkish provincial towns of un-paralleled historic and modern significance, along with a guided architectural field trip to Istanbul.
SAFRANBOLU is a mountain town in North Western Anatolia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site chosen because it preserves the urban fabric of an Ottoman town and is famous for its central mosque and intact neighborhoods of half-timbered houses. Safranbolu also preserves many important pre-Ottoman monuments from the Byzantine period as well as the period when the town was under the reign of Islamic Princely tribes. As a town that housed both Muslim and Greek Christians, among others, it is the perfect setting in which to learn about mosques, caravansarays, medreses and baths and how these served Ottoman and Turkish social and religious needs. Stay in a restored Ottoman-Turkish house in a town full of historic houses and learn how these |
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were designed and used to served domestic family as well as governmental functions, and how they were used by a variety of religious cultures. Sponsored by Karabuk University, students will stay in an Ottoman House in the center of Safranbolu, near its historic buildings and new cafés.
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ESKISEHIR lies on a high flat plain in the shadow of four mountains in West Central Turkey. Although depicted for Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent 450 years ago as a typical Ottoman city with Mosques, colleges, baths and churches by the mapmaker, today it’s public sculptures, gardens |
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and museums and its café culture make it a model of how Turkish economic prosperity has been used for European style modernization. A former industrial city, it now hosts two major universities including a medical school and a law school, and it is the center of Turkey’s famous “open university.” Eskisehir is a sophisticated town; yet its preserved Ottoman section shows a sensitive consciousness of its heritage. It is the perfect place in which to study the life, culture, politics and ideals of the Turkish present. Sponsored by Anadolu University, students will stay in university owned housing near the city’s center.
ISTANBUL was the Imperial capital of the Ottoman Empire for over 500 years; with its rich architectural and social presence, it remains the cultural capital of the modern Turkish Republic. Many programs concentrate on this rich city alone. Because it has something from every part |
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of Turkey and from every era, it is both quintessentially “Turkish” and completely atypical of Turkey. We have thus decided to offer our students an in depth experience in the Turkish interior capped by time in this city, which every student of Turkish culture or lover of cities deserves. It is the perfect place to fall in love with life. Sponsored by Özyeğin University, students will stay in apartments in Beyoglu, one of several historic “centers” of this large city, but certainly its most cosmopolitan.
CURRICULUM |
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In addition to field trips (such as to historic towns, picturesque villages and archeological sites), students will spend 3 hours per day in the classroom and 3 hours a day in “the field” in guided, in situ learning. A final hour of discussion, recap and journal writing will end each day.
Morning classes include one hour per day of Turkish language and 2 hours of preparatory discussion of the day’s project. Discussions and reading are in English, led by SFSU and local faculty. (A professor in Middle East and Islamic Studies from San Francisco State University will accompany the group at all times.)
In each city, students will be “paired” for short periods with English speaking Turkish students, and will work in teams of 4 on chosen field work projects.
Safranbolu --- 12 days (includes travel to the Black and to the historic village Yoruk).
Eskisehir --- 12 days (includes travel to the first Ottoman capital of Bursa, and to the pottery capital, Kuhtahya).
Istanbul --- 6 days.
REQUIREMENTS |
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This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from any university, but all students must register through SFSU’s summer school/CEL. All students must have valid passports. Portable laptops are suggested.
CREDIT |
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Through CEL and MEIS, this study abroad program is appropriate for curriculum in all areas of the Humanities; and in History, Political Science, and Anthropology among others.
6 units of credit. Credit for one semester of Turkish 1 may also be possible. (20 hours plus practice)
To receive credit, students will be required to attend ALL classes and ALL field projects, to complete daily journal assignments, and to write a paper on a project to be researched during the program.
COSTS |
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For costs including airfare and tuition, please check back soon.
APPLICATION and DEADLINES |
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To be announced.
CONTACT |
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For more information, please contact Dr. Carel Bertram.
