Combines introductory instruction in Ottoman
law and legal practice with advanced paleographical
training. Different aspects of law, such
as court practice, legal interpretation, and royal
legislation, are examined, and the relevant
primary sources introduced, in alternating years. (Thus
if the theme for a particular semester
has been the practice of ifta, after an introduction to
relevant debates in the field of Islamic
and Ottoman law, the class embarks on a collective
historical survey of selected themes
as they appear in fetva collections of the 16th to the 18th
centuries. A comparable approach will
be adopted for other themes to be offered in rotation over
the years.) Requirements : a major research paper
of around 30 pages based on primary source materials.
Counts towards fulfilling the seminar requirement in
History. Prerequisite : An adequate command
of Ottoman Turkish, through TLL 501-502 or the equivalent,
and subject to the instructor's approval.
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