The Ottoman Empire in world history
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- Start Date: 12 Sep 2025End Date: 10 Oct 2025Fri (Daytime): 15:00 - 17:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 5 sessions (over -5 weeks)Course Code: HWH45Tutors: Martin JorgensenFull fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00
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What is the course about?
The Ottoman Empire grew to be one of the largest Eurasian empires and endured for several centuries. How did it emerge, expand and adapt to ever-changing circumstances? What circumstances led to its demise and what have since been its legacies? Linking past and present, this course explores these questions at a point in time where the Middle East is ever-present in most media coverage of global affairs today.
The course would work well before our after our courses on the politics of the Contemporary Middle East.
What will we cover?
- Introduction to course, the Ottoman Empire in historical works, the Anatolian origins of the Ottoman Empire and its expansion into the weakening Byzantine Empire
- The development of Ottoman administrative, legal, military and economic systems in a global context and the relations between the dominant Islamic religion and the empire’s Christian and Jewish minorities
- The Ottoman expansion across the Mediterranean and Middle East from the 16th to 18th centuries in a global context
- The Ottoman Empire and the other European and Eurasian imperial powers in the 19th century.
- The last years: The Ottoman Empire in the first decades of the 20th century
- The legacies of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East
- The Ottoman Empire in Middle Eastern Memory Politics since 1918.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe the general chronological development of the empire from the 1300 to 1918
Evaluate the different relationships between the conquered and integrated territories and the metropole
Assess the development of the empire in a global context
Be able to discuss the legacies in the modern Middle East and how today’s Middle East was formed by the Ottoman Empire and its demise.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is introductory so you do not need prior experience. As with most of our history and current affairs courses, intellectual curiosity, an open mind and a sound grasp of English are more important than specific levels of skills, as is a willingness to engage in class debates and discussions. The course would work well before our after our courses on the politics of the Contemporary Middle East.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a mixture of lecture and discussion. You will not be set any homework but it will improve your experience if you do some recommended reading during the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
None. However, you may want to obtain paper and a pen for notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may be interested in:
HWH98 Global encounters: Europe and the Ottoman Empire, 1206-1368.
Martin Ottovay Jorgensen is a historian by education (BA, MA and PhD in Denmark and Belgium). As a teacher in higher ediucation and further education, he has taught courses on world and global history; African history, Asian history, imperial and colonial history; the history of international organisations; peace and conflict; global issues and international relations as well as how memory is an active dimension in community-building, society, politics, international relations, conflict as well as corporate branding. At City Lit, Martin heads the Department of History, Politics, Philosophy and Sience and teaches across history and politics. He strives to promote history as a socially relevant way of thinking and to give each class and course a horizon beyond itself. Perhaps more importantly, Martin sees the active promotion of robust historical thinking as a democratic practice of vital importance to both the workings of our democracy and the embracing and valuing our multi-cultural and diverse society.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.