In this course, we will explore the links between nationalism, citizenship and policies of exclusion and violence in the modern nation-state by focusing on the experiences of Armenian, Greek, Jewish, Assyrian, Alevi and Kurdish populations in Turkey in the 20th and 21st centuries. What does the term minority mean? What were the legal, institutional and political problems faced by minorities in Turkey? How did the processes of denial and non-recognition of some communal rights shape debates and policies over citizenship and equality? What are the implications and effects of these historical developments on democratization, human rights, and equality debates in Turkey? In this course, we will discuss these questions with a particular focus on the experiences and struggles of people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Readings and other course materials include primary and secondary sources, oral history accounts, and memoirs, as well as clips from films and documentaries.
Course Requirements:
Attendance, participation in class discussions, one take-home midterm exam, two essays (6-8 pages).
Intended Audience:
No prior knowledge is required.
Class Format:
Lecture with discussions