Back to selection
79227-01 - Seminar: Ethnic and Religious Groups in the Ottoman Empire (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Maurus Reinkowski (maurus.reinkowski@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | As any early modern empire the Ottoman Empire was based on the management of diversity. Assimiliation as the nation-state expects from its citizens was not requested from the imperial subjects in the Ottoman Empire. By today's standards, therefore, ethnic and religious diversity in the Ottoman Empire was extraordinarily high. Following a general introduction to the basics of the Ottoman Empire and an introductory discussion of the concepts of "ethnic" and "religious," we will turn our attention to aspects of the imperial organization of ethnicity and religion. We will also examine specific religious groups (such as Jews, Armenians, and Greek Orthodox Christians) and ethnic groups (such as Kurds) and groups where ethnicity and religious belonging overlap (such as the Alevis and Yezidis). |
| Learning objectives | Students will -- understand how ethnic and religious diversity was organized in an early modern empire; -- be able to identify the differences and overlaps between religious and ethnic groups; -- have an overview of the tools the Ottoman state used in dealing with ethnic and religious groups; -- possess a solid foundation of knowledge regarding the major ethnic and religious groups. |
| Bibliography | Will be announced well in advance of the seminar's start. |
| Comments | Maximum number of participants: 20 students. |
| Admission requirements | Good reading skills in English texts and ability to participate in academic exchange in English. |
| Course application | Register: Required; Withdraw: Required. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 15.09.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 212 |
| Tuesday 22.09.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 29.09.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 06.10.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 13.10.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 20.10.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 27.10.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 03.11.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 10.11.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 17.11.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 24.11.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 01.12.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 08.12.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Tuesday 15.12.2026 | 14.15-16.00 | Vesalianum, Seminarraum (O2.02) |
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor Jewish Studies: Recommendations (Bachelor's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Modul: Alternative Religionsgeschichte (Master's degree subject: Science of Religion) Modul: Antike / monotheistische / aussereuropäische Religionen (Bachelor's degree subject: Study of Religion) Modul: Geschichte, Literatur, Religion (Master's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Modul: Gesellschaft in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree program: Eastern European Studies) Modul: Gesellschaft in Osteuropa (Bachelor's degree subject: Eastern European Cultures) Modul: Spezialisierung «Geschichte und Politische Bildung» (Master's Studies: Subject-Specific Teaching and Learning) Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Modul: Vertiefung Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Module: Advanced Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Module: Religion, Society, State (Master's Studies: Interreligious Studies) Module: Theory and Themes of Social Anthropology (Master's degree subject: Social Anthropology) Module: Topics and Theories of Social Anthropology (Bachelor's degree subject: Social Anthropology) Module: Topics in Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Wahlbereich Master Geschichte: Empfehlungen (Master's degree subject: History) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | -- Regular attendance and thorough preparation of the texts to be read together; -- giving a presentation during the semester. |
| 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 |