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79083-01 - Seminar: Ethnic Groups in Türkiye (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Hasan Münüsoglu (hasan.munusoglu@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The Republic of Türkiye, as a nation-state, is home to a wide range of ethnic groups with diverse cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. Alongside larger communities such as Alevis and Kurds, smaller groups including Malakans and Pomaks also form an integral part of this ethno-cultural landscape. Although these groups, which for many years remained marginalized under the dominant discourse of nationalism, have become increasingly visible in recent times, they continue to face persistent challenges in terms of representation and recognition within the public sphere. This seminar seeks to promote a deeper understanding of cultural identities by examining the cultural presence, historical trajectories, and contemporary realities of ethnic groups living in Türkiye. By engaging with issues of visibility, belonging, and cultural heritage, the seminar aims to provide a critical perspective on the complexities of identity formation within the context of nation-building and state policies. Course Outline 1. Introduction and Scope of the Course 2. Method and Writing in Ethnic Studies 3. Cultural Identity, Ethnicity, Nation 4. Etno-cultural Boundaries 5. Ethnolinguistic Groups in Türkiye 6. Ethnoreligious Groups in Türkiye 7. Students Seminar 8. Students Seminar 9. Students Seminar 10. Students Seminar 11. Students Seminar 12. Students Seminar 13. Students Seminar 14. Students Seminar |
| Learning objectives | By the end of this seminar, students will be able to: - Define the concepts of cultural identity, ethnic groups, nation, acculturation, assimilation, cultural diversity, multiculturalism, prejudice, discrimination, and othering. - Describe the historical background of the ethnocultural structure in Anatolia. - Explain the cultural diversity of Turkey and identify major ethnocultural groups within the region. |
| Bibliography | Andrews (ed.), Peter Alford. 2002. Ethnic groups in the Republic of Turkey: Supplement and index. Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag. Gültekin, A. K. and Suvari, Ç. C. 2021. The Ethno-Cultural Others of Turkey: Contemporary Reflections, Yerevan, Russian-Armenian University Press. Van Brunessen, M. 1992. Agha, Shaikh and State- The Social and Political Structures of Kurdistan, Zed Books. Örs, İ.R. 2018. Diaspora of the City: Stories of Cosmopolitanism from Istanbul and Athens. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Rowe, P. S. 2018. Routledge Handbook of Minorities in the Middle East. Routledge. Eriksen, T. H. 2010. Ethnicity and Nationalism: Anthropological Perspectives, Pluto Press. Olsson, T. Özdalga, E. Raudvere, C. 1999. Alevi Identity- Cultural, Religious and Social Perspectives. Routledge. Akgönül, S. 2013. The Minority Concept in the Turkish Context- Practices and Perceptions in Turkey, Greece and France, Brill. Barth, Fredrik (ed.) 1969. Ethnic Groups and Boundaries : The Social Organization of Cultural Difference. Long Grove : Waveland Press. |
| Admission requirements | No specific requirements. |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 19.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 26.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Thursday 05.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 12.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 19.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 26.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 02.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Ostern |
| Thursday 09.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 16.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 23.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 30.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 07.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 14.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Auffahrt |
| Thursday 21.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Thursday 28.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum 0105 |
| Modules |
Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Ethnographien (Bachelor's degree subject: Anthropology) Modul: Fortgeschrittene Nahoststudien (Bachelor's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Themen der Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | During the initial weeks of the seminar, the focus will be on the theoretical foundations of ethnic studies, after which the course will proceed with student presentations. Students are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to the sessions and to actively contribute to seminar discussions. Each student is required to prepare a presentation on an ethnic group in Türkiye. The chosen research topic must be communicated to the seminar coordinator within the designated timeframe. Both the seminar presentation and the final paper to be submitted at the end of the term will constitute essential components of the overall course assessment. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Nahost-Studien |