Course Syllabus

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                        Islam and Turkey

 

University of Florida Spring 2025

Class meetings MWF/5 (11:45am) @ Flint Hall 119

EUS3142 - ASH3931 – REL3938 – SYA4930

 

Instructor Contact Information

Emrah Sahin, Ph.D.

emrahsahin@ufl.edu  

Phone: (352) 642-5091

Office Location: Turlington 3326; Zoom Room

Office hours Mondays and Fridays Periods 2-4 (8:30-11:30)

Sign up here at calendly for a f2f or zoom meeting

For a f2f or zoom meeting

 

Course Information

This course is about what Islam is and what Turks believe that it is. Particular topics include, a) Islamic message, sources, and theological conflicts; b) Turkish encounters with Islam, the Ottoman legacy, and interactions between secularism and Islam; c) intellectual and mystic movements; and d) Islamist politics and the discord between political and social activists. The course explores these topics through the prism of original sources such as Quran and Islamist literature, and emphasizes ways cultural forces contribute to the making of modern Islam.  Beside others, students interested in History, International Studies, European Studies, Religious Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies are welcome and encouraged to join this survey course. Sophomore standing or the instructor’s approval is a prerequisite.

 

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Recognize the significance of Turkish Islam in larger discussions about religious identities and global exchanges in culture and politics,
  • Present an informed understanding of major themes in Islam and Turkey,
  • Discuss Turkish and Muslim entities,
  • Analyze complex historical issues with empirical evidence,
  • Reconsider the nuanced dynamics that created and transformed Turkey across time, and,
  • Develop skills for advanced focus on International, European, Middle Eastern, Religious, and Turkish studies.

Presentation slides will include specific objectives and expectations to be found on weekly modules.

 

Additionally, students are as well expected to achieve the following outcomes in content, analysis, and critical thinking:  

  1. Content: Students demonstrate working knowledge and competence in the political, social, and cultural contours and discourses as manifested in sources. 
  2. Analysis: Students analyze and present ideas, views, and facts in written and verbal fashion from an interdisciplinary perspective. 
  3. Critical Thinking: Students study the existing materials and produce their own perspectives carefully and logically by way of developing content and case-driven approach to discussing at length specific perspectives, trends, and representations in modern Turkish history. 

 

Meeting Times and Communication

Zoom ID for online office hours are 943 8605 6195, alternately available here. Instructor will admit online attendees from the waiting roo shortly before the start of the meetings.

Office hours are tba… Students can contact the instructor by email anytime, by phone during office hours, and also by the course Group Me page throughout the semester. 

 

Course Requirements

Required textbook

Readings and recommended materials will be posted on the e-learning website. There is no required textbook for this course.

Prerequisites

There are no additional fees for the course.

Materials/Supply Fees

There is no supply fee for this course.

Zoom

Zoom is an easy-to-use video conferencing service available to all UF students, faculty, and staff that allows for meetings of up to 100 participants.

You can find resources and help using Zoom at here.

 

Course Policies

Requirements for make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found at here.

 

Coursework and Assignments

This course includes the following assignments along with lecture and discussion sections. Be willing, engaged, and punctual – that is, attend the lectures, participate in discussions, and complete your reading/writing assignments on time. 

  • Participation and quizzes. Students will write three short quizzes including multiple choices and brief explanations.
  • Mid-Term. The mid-term examination is scheduled on Week 8. Professor will provide guidelines and address questions about this exam.
  • Take-home Final. The final examination will draw from lectures and select readings, and will be due on the last meeting of class. A review class will provide guidelines and address questions about this exam.
  • Book review. By Week 4, students will submit a 4-page abstract on a text of their choice, or, from the readings recommended below. Original abstracts capture the core of a book’s arguments and its themes. Examples will be provided.
  • Attendance. Students are expected to attend all the classes.

Please note that all the readings and written assignments must be completed by the date indicated on the syllabus and cannot be rescheduled. Requests of any special accommodations must be made to the professor in writing and in advance. You are welcome to discuss any of these assignments with the professor. Though the instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus (with an in-advance warning if deemed necessary), the assignment schedules and UF regulations will stand at all times.

 

Grading Administration

Participation

5 points

Quizzes

15 points

Mid-term

30 points

Take-home final

30 points

Book review

15 points

Attendance

5 points

 

Grading Scale

Letter Grade

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

Numerical Value (% rank)

+93

90

92

87

89

83

86

80

82

77

79

73

76

70

72

67

69

63

66

60

62

-59

GPA Equivalent

4.0

3.67

3.33

3.0

2.67

2.33

2.0

1.67

1.33

1.0

0.67

0

More information on grades and grading policies is at here

 

Class Attendance and Make-Up Policy

Attendance and participation are required for success. They not only constitute 5% of your grade. Repeated absences also affect your performance on exams and quizzes since they will be based on lectures and discussions. Missing class likewise means missing participation and falling behind in other assignments.

According to the Office of the University Registrar, “acceptable reasons for absence from class include illness, serious family emergencies, special curricular requirements (e.g., judging trips, field trips, and professional conferences), military obligation, severe weather conditions, religious holidays and participation in official university activities such as music performances, athletic competition or debate. Absences from class for court-imposed legal obligations (e.g., jury duty or subpoena) must be excused.” (for further information about the University of Florida’s attendance policy, see the current Undergraduate Catalogue here)

 

UF Policies

University Policy on Accommodating Differently Abled Students

Differently abled students requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter that must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Differently abled students should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.

 

University Policy on Academic Conduct

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code.  On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."  The Honor Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor in this class.

 

Netiquette and Communication Courtesy

All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy during, before, and after class, in all email messages, threaded discussions, and chats.

Students are expected to arrive to class on time and behave in a manner that is respectful to the instructor and to fellow students. Please avoid the use of cell phones and restrict eating to outside of the classroom. Opinions held by other students should be respected in discussion, and conversations that do not contribute to the discussion should be held at minimum, if at all.

 

Getting Help

Technical Difficulties

For issues with technical difficulties for Canvas, please contact the UF Help Desk at:

Any requests for make-ups due to technical issues should be accompanied by the ticket number received from the Help Desk when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You should e-mail your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up.

 

Health and Wellness

  • U Matter, We Care:  If you or someone you know is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu, 352-392-1575, or visit ufl.eduto refer or report a concern and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.
  • Counseling and Wellness Center:  Visit ufl.eduor call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services as well as non-crisis services.
  • Student Health Care Center:Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need or visit ufl.edu.
  • University Police Department: Visit ufl.eduor call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).
  • UF Health Shands Emergency Room/Trauma Center: For immediate medical care in Gainesville, call 352-733-0111 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; org/emergency-room-trauma-center.

 

Academic and Student Support

  • Career Connections Center:352-392-1601. Career assistance and counseling services ufl.edu/.
  • Library Support: Various ways to receive assistance with respect to using the libraries or finding resources. uflib.ufl.edu/ask.
  • Teaching Center:352-392-2010 Study skills and tutoring: ufl.edu.
  • Writing Studio:352-846-1138. Help brainstorming, formatting, and writing papers: ufl.edu/writing-studio.

 

Course Evaluations

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at here. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via here. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at here.

 

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below.

--COURSE SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW

 

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

1 Week of January 13

1) Course Mechanics and Introduction, 2) The Messenger

Discussion based on readings.

 

2 Week of January 20

The Message: Quran and the Right Path (No lecture on MLK day January 20)

Discussion

  • Quran on believers, family, human rights, and inheritance (chapters 4, 58, 93-114)
  • Bulaç. “The Medina Document”
  • Documentary. Decoding the Past: Secrets of the Koran Part 1 and Part 2

 

3 Week of January 27

Knowledge and Sunni Islam: Sources of Authority and the Ideological Drift

Discussion

  • Shouaiaia. “On the Sources of Islamic Law and Practices”
  • Hallaq. “Was the gate of Ijtihad Closed?”
  • PBS Documentary. Empires of Faith: The Awakening

 

Part II: The Turkish Path

4 Week of February 3 QUIZ I

Encounters: Migrations to the Abode of Islam

Discussion

  • Findley. “Islam and Empire from the Seljuks through the Mongols”
  • Devereux. “Al-Kashgari and Early Turkish Islam”

** Book-review Canvas-submission **

 

5 Week of February 10

Conversions: God’s Unruly Friends

Discussion

  • Karamustafa. “Renunciation, Deviant Individualism, and Sufism”; “Dervish Groups”

 

6 Week of February 17

Manifestations: Ottoman Legacy of Islam

Discussion

 

7 Week of February 24

Containment: Secularism vs. Islam

Discussion

  • Yavuz. “The Tempering of the Kemalist Revolution”
  • Smith. “Between Allah and Ataturk”
  • Short piece by Fallers. “Turkish Islam”

 

8 Week of March 3

General Review (M); Mid-term Part 1 (Wednesday); Mid-term Part 2 (Friday)

 

Part III: Forty Shades of Sufism

9 Week of March 10

Sufism: The Nakshibandis

Discussion

 

10 Week of March 24

Sufism: Rumi and Whirling Dervishes

Discussion

  • Cyrus Masroori, “An Islamic Language of Toleration: Rumi’s Criticism of Religious

Persecution”

  • Selected texts from Mawlana’s Masnavi
  • Reed Flute.

           

11 Week of March 31 QUIZ II

No meeting to be held on Wednesday, which is a Recharge Day!

Activism in Prison: Said Nursi and the Islamist Utopia

Discussion

  • Ahmet Kuru, “Apolitical Interpretation of Islam: Said Nursi’s Faith Based Activism

in Comparison with Political Islamism and Sufism”

           

12 Week of April 7

From Classroom to the Pulpit: Muslim Prayer Schools

Discussion

  • Diren Cakmak, “Pro-Islamic Public Education in Turkey: the Imam-Hatip Schools”
  • Dorian Jones, “In Turkey, Religious Schools Gain a Foothold” (VOA)
  • Kim Shively, “The Merve Kavakci Affair”
  • Interview with Kavakci. My Life as a Muslim Woman Activist Scholar

 

13 Week of April 14 QUIZ III

From Activism to Terror: The Case of Fethullah Gulen

Discussion

  • Sections from Gulen’s writings
  • Hakan Yavuz, “The Neo-Nur Movement and Fethullah Gülen”
  • Critical Reflections in Context of the 2016 Coup Attempt

 

14 Week of April 21

Politicizing Islam: I Know What You Did on July 15

Will Islam Fail in Turkey? Review Lecture and Conclusion

Discussion on Gulen, Erdogan, and the Failed 2016 Coup

Take-home final instructions will be provided (due by the last class meeting)

 

 

 Readings for Book Review and Further Study

  • Acikgoz, Salih Can. Sacrificial Limbs: Masculinity, Disability, and Political Violence in Turkey
  • Arat, Yesim. Rethinking Islam and Liberal Democracy
  • Aydin, Cemil. The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History
  • Azak, Umut. Islam and Secularism in Turkey
  • Dedeoglu, Saniye, and Adam Elveren. Gender and Society in Turkey
  • Gole, Nilufer. The Forbidden Modern: Civilization and Veiling
  • Hart, Kimberly. Then We Work for God
  • Karpat, Kemal. Politicization of Islam
  • Koprulu, Mehmed Fuad. Early Mystics in Turkish Literature
  • Lings, Martin. Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources
  • Pamuk, Orhan. Snow
  • Peres, Richard. Day Turkey Stood Still: Merve Kavakci’s Walk into the Turkish Parliament
  • Rogerson, Barnaby. The Heirs of the Prophet Muhammad
  • Murata, Sachiko and William C. Chittick. Vision of Islam
  • Sahin, Emrah. Faithful Encounters: Authorities and American Missionaries in the Ottoman Empire
  • Saktanber, Ayse. Living Islam: Women, Religion, and the Politicization of Culture in Turkey
  • Shafak, Elif. The Forty Rules of Love (A Novel of Rumi)
  • Shankland, David. The Alevis in Turkey
  • Shively, Kim. Islam in Modern Turkey
  • Vahide, Sukran and Ibrahim Abu-Rabi. Islam in Modern Turkey
  • White, Jenny. Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics
  • Yavuz, Hakan. Nostalgia for the Empire: The Politics of Neo-Ottomanism
  • Zurcher, Eric. The European Union, Turkey, and Islam

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due