This global education course seeks to increase student knowledge and understanding of the political cultural forces that shape and determine respect for human rights and political competition. Has Turkey, achieved “a balance between Islam, democracy secularism and modernity” as suggested by Turkish Prime Minister Recept Tayyip Erdogan?” This is the essential question addressed in this spring semester course. Addressing this question requires that students have a frame of reference. Students will therefore be exposed to scholarly articles, journalist essays, speeches and videos seeking to increase knowledge and understanding of the following; a) the importance of Turkey in the western democratic culture; b) the influence of Islam in a secular Turkey; c) the intersection of secularism, modernity and Islam in Turkey; d) the perception of United States elites and citizens of Islam and its relationship to democracy; and e) the impact of 9/11 on Turkey’s democratic culture.
