070069 PS BA-Proseminar - Ottoman Bulgaria (2023W)

This undergraduate proseminar offers an in-depth exploration of Bulgarian history during the period of Ottoman rule. The course is structured around several interrelated themes that are central to understanding Bulgaria's socio-economic landscape during this era. These themes encompass institutional arrangements, social composition and hierarchical structures, population geography, economic activities, and the nexus of urban and rural networks. The course aims to contextualize Bulgaria’s experience under Ottoman governance within the broader scope of imperial dynamics, offering insights into how Muslim and Christian populace of Bulgaria interacted with, and was influenced by, larger forces in the Mediterranean world. An integral aspect of the course curriculum involves collaborative readings of both translated and original primary source materials. By scrutinizing these texts, students will be able to develop a more nuanced understanding of the historical circumstances, cultural exchanges, and social tensions that characterized this formative period. Such an approach will empower students to critically engage with the content, fostering a richer and more complex grasp of the intricacies of Bulgarian history during Ottoman rule. To facilitate critical thinking and academic discourse, students will be exposed to a variety of scholarly perspectives through readings in secondary literature. This will not only broaden their intellectual horizons but also provide them with the methodological tools required for historical analysis. By the end of the course, students are expected to have gained a comprehensive understanding of Bulgaria’s social and economic configurations during the Ottoman period, equipped with the analytical skills to assess primary sources and contribute meaningfully to scholarly discussions on the subject.