141009 UE M10 Digital Humanities und Osmanistik (2024W)

Aims:
The primary objective of this course is to develop the ability to effectively engage with Digital Humanities (DH) tools and methods, while also critically assessing their applications and limitations within the context of Ottoman studies.

The methodology, tools, and techniques used in the humanities have been shaped over the past ten years by the interdisciplinary field called Digital Humanities (DH). While Digital Humanities has transformed various fields within the humanities, its influence on specific areas like Ottoman Studies is still emerging. Ottoman Studies, on the other hand, is an interdisciplinary field focused on the history, culture, society, politics, and legacy of the Ottoman Empire, which spanned from the late 13th century to the early 20th century.

Contents:
In order to explore the Digital Humanities in Ottoman Studies, this course will first aim to take a brief look at the core concepts of the field of DH. The course will then explore various key topics, including Text Recognition, Digital Editions, Databases, Network Analysis, and Spatial Analysis, each covered in dedicated lectures to provide a comprehensive understanding of these essential tools and methods. Furthermore, some of these lectures will feature guest speakers who are experts in the specific topics covered, offering additional specialised insights.

The course will primarily focus on applying Digital Humanities tools, techniques, and methodologies to the study of a specific author, Lāmiʿī Çelebi and his works. Mahmud bin Osman bin Naḳḳāş ʿAlī bin Ilyās (b.1472 – d.1532), known by the pseudonym Lāmiʿī Çelebi, was an Ottoman litterateur who lived during the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

To explore Lāmiʿī Çelebi’s literary corpus, this course will utilize Digital Humanities tools, techniques, and methodologies. By applying DH approaches such as digital editions, network analysis, and spatial analysis, students will explore how his works reflect his literary biography. Despite the inherent challenges of using narratives as biographical sources, these digital methods will allow us to gain new insights into his life and literary persona.

Method of the course:
In this course, the methods will be divided into two primary sections. The first will focus on the discussion and application of Digital Humanities practices, providing students with the skills necessary to utilize these innovative tools effectively. The second section will address the issues of Ottoman literary historiography and the complexities of literary biography, enabling students to critically engage with the challenges and methodologies involved in the study of Ottoman literature.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students are not expected to have any prior knowledge of software, coding, or technical skills for the Digital Humanities component of the course. However, proficiency in reading, understanding, and comprehending Ottoman texts—which will serve as the primary materials for application and discussion—is essential. To sum up, in line with the course content, only Ottoman texts will be utilized.