Political Science

Political Symbols and Rituals(SP452)

Course Code Course Name Semester Theory Practice Lab Credit ECTS
SP452 Political Symbols and Rituals 6 3 0 0 3 5
Prerequisites
Admission Requirements
Language of Instruction Turkish
Course Type Elective
Course Level Bachelor Degree
Course Instructor(s) Birol CAYMAZ birolhoca.caymaz@gmail.com (Email)
Assistant
Objective The main objective of the course is to analyze the state authority and its permanence in space and time, through the rituals and symbols policies by using the disciplines of anthropology, sociology, history and political science. The course focuses mainly on the construction of national identity and the question of invention of tradition through ceremonies and state symbols.
Content Following two introductory courses we will focus on the “state” rituals practiced in the Ottoman Empire. Then, we will study the relationship of the republic with its Ottoman past; the relationship artificially created on a register of antagonism between old/new that crystallizes in particular rituals and political symbols. Finally, we will show the role played by state symbols and rituals in the construction of national identity in Turkey.
Course Learning Outcomes 1- Know the anthropological conception of ancient ceremonies and modern national celebrations and symbols used in these occasions.
2- Interpret the sacred dimension of state power through various civilizations
3- Learn the construction of the sate, nation and the emergence of nationalism and the “invention of tradition” (Comparing Western Europe and the Ottoman Empire)
4- Know the interrelationships between consciousness and national identity and political symbols and rituals.
5- Understand the political rites and symbols practiced in the Ottoman State
6- Discuss the national festivals of the late Empire and early Republic
Teaching and Learning Methods The course will be realized mostly in the form of lectures. Depending on the subject and the availability of meeting rooms, the instructor will use audio-visual material such as miniatures and engravings of the Ottoman era or photos, films, movies and audiotapes.
References Eric. J. Hobsbawm- Geleneğin icadı. Agora kitaplığı, 2006.
Benedict Anderson- Hayali Cemaatler. Metis yay., 2007.
Ernest Gellner- Milliyetçiliğe Bakmak. iletişim yay., 1998.
Marc Abeles- Devletin antropolojisi. Kesit yay., 1998.
Sibel Bozdoğan- Modernizm ve ulusun inşası. Erken Cumhuriyet Türkiyesi’nde mimari kültür. Metis yay., 2002.
Hakan T. Karatepe- Padişahım çok yaşa. Osmanlı devletinin son zamanında merasimler. Kitap yay., 2004.
Caner Onay- Tören, kutlama ve saha içi gösteri teknikleri. Nobel, 2004.
Esra Özyürek- Modernlik nostaljisi: Kemalizm, laiklik ve gündelik hayatta siyaset. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi yay., 2008.
Arzu Öztürkmen- Türkiye’de folklor ve milliyetçilik. İletişim yay., 1998.
Seyfi Öngider- İki şehrin hikayesi. Ankara İstanbul çatışması. Aykırı yay., 2003.
Neşe G. Yeşilkaya- Halkevleri: İdeoloji ve mimarlık. İletişim yay., 1999.
Selim Deringil- Simgeden Millete. II. Abdülhamid’den Mustafa Kemal’e devlet ve millet. İletiştim yay., 2007.
Birol Caymaz- Türkiye’de Vatandaşlık. Resmi ideoloji ve yansımaları. Bilgi Üniversitesi yay., 2007.
Sibel Özbudun- Ayinden törene. Anahtar kitaplar, 1997.
Print the course contents
Theory Topics
Week Weekly Contents
1 Course definition and organization. Distribution of syllables and general presentation of sources.
2 Historical and theoretical introduction
3 Continuation of the course
4 Rituals in Ottoman Empire
5 Continuation of the course
6 Religious and secular celebrations
7 Invention of tradition and “Cuma Selamlığı” (“Friday Salutation”)
8 State symbols and Palace music
9 Mid term
10 Political Rituals and symbols within the national construction
11 The construction of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk image
12 Cult of personality and monumental sculptures
13 City model of Nation State: Ankara
14 National celebrations
Practice Topics
Week Weekly Contents
Contribution to Overall Grade
  Number Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade 1 50
Contribution of final exam to overall grade 1 50
Toplam 2 100
In-Term Studies
  Number Contribution
Assignments 0 0
Presentation 0 0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation) 1 50
Project 0 0
Laboratory 0 0
Other Applications 0 0
Quiz 0 0
Term Paper/ Project 0 0
Portfolio Study 0 0
Reports 0 0
Learning Diary 0 0
Thesis/ Project 0 0
Seminar 0 0
Other 0 0
Toplam 1 50
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5
1 Understanding the major theories, concepts, foundations, and methodologies used in the study of politics. X
2 Identifying the structure and operation of the political system in Turkey and other political systems in the world. X
3 Identifying and gathering information from credible primary and secondary sources; analyzing and synthesizing the acquired knowledge. X
4 Generating and testing empirically hypotheses about political processes, institutions, mechanisms and relationships. X
5 Designing, conducting and interpreting the results of original research in accordance with the scientific and ethical principles by using basic research methods. X
6 Showing awareness and sensivity towards issues related to democracy, human rights and social peace. X
7 Appraising the sources of societal conflict and how they can be resolved by political means. X
8 Examining critically the nature of change in the global political community, and the complex character of processes such as globalization. X
9 Taking a role in a teamwork in political science and general fields of other related disciplines. X
10 Following publications in foreign languages and communicating with the colleagues in the international environment by using French which is the language of education in Galatasaray University and English, the compulsory foreign language. X
11 Using required level of information and communication technologies. X
Activities Number Period Total Workload
Class Hours 13 3 39
Working Hours out of Class 12 2 24
Presentation 10 2 20
Midterm Examinations (including preparation) 1 10 10
Term Paper/ Project 10 2 20
Total Workload 113
Total Workload / 25 4,52
Credits ECTS 5
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