Departments Supervised by the Rectorate · İZÜ Seçmeli Dersler · Undergraduate
Course Objective
The primary objective of this course is to enable students to understand Istanbul—which has served as the capital of three great empires (Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire) throughout history and is today a global metropolis—within a holistic framework that encompasses its historical, architectural, sociocultural, and urban dimensions.
Course Content
This course examines the layered history of the city—from Istanbul’s prehistoric settlements to its contemporary structure as a global metropolis—through the lens of spatial and cultural dynamics. It covers a broad spectrum, ranging from the topography and water features that shape the city’s physical form to the evolution of its administrative, religious, and civil architectural heritage (public squares, complexes, city walls, and residential typologies).
Required Resources
There is no required textbook for the course.
Recommended Resources
Bilgili, A. E. (Ed.). (2015). Şehir ve kültür İstanbul. Profil Kitap
Cansever, T. (2010). Osmanlı Şehri. Timaş Yayınları.
Çelik, Z. (2019). 19. yüzyılda Osmanlı başkenti: Değişen İstanbul (S. Deringil, Çev.). Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür Yayınları.
Dursun, A. H. (2025). İstanbul'da Yaşama Sanatı. Kapı Yayınları.
Eldem, S. H. (1984). Türk evi: Osmanlı dönemi Cilt I. Türkiye Anıt Çevre Turizm Değerlerini Koruma Vakfı.
Görsel kaynaklar: Tarihi haritalar (Pervititch, Alman Mavileri haritaları), dönemin gravürleri (Melling) ve hava fotoğrafları
Johnson, B., & Başgelen, N. (Ed.). (2007). Efsanelerden günümüze İstanbul: Seçme yazılar [Myth to modernity Istanbul: Selected themes]. Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları.
Kuban, D. (1970). İstanbul'un tarihî yapısı. Mimarlık, 8(5), 26-48.
Kuban, D. (1995). Türk “Hayat”lı Evi. Eren Yayıncılık.
Uğur, Y. (2022). Büyük İstanbul'un oluşumu: Osmanlı İstanbulu'nun sosyal-mekânsal gelişimi üzerine bir değerlendirme. O. Yeşilot & B. Gürışık Köksal (Ed.), Türk tarihinin kadim şehirleri içinde (ss. 579-600). Selenge Yayınları.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Knows a general understanding of the historical and spatial development of Istanbul, spanning from the prehistoric period through the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Republican eras.
- Evaluates the monumental architectural structures, public spaces, neighborhood fabric, and residential typologies that shape the city’s physical form within the context of the sociocultural conditions of each period.
- Explains the role of Istanbul’s geographic location and water features such as the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn in urban settlement, trade, defense, and cultural interaction.
- Examines Istanbul through a holistic and critical lens, drawing on the tools of various disciplines such as architecture, history, sociology, geography, and urban planning.
- Recognizes the city’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage; develops an awareness of the preservation of the historic environment, the balance between preservation and use, and approaches to restoration.
- Globalization, rapid urbanization, migration, urban renewal, and mega-projects are examined from a critical perspective to assess their impact on Istanbul’s urban identity and sustainability.
- Acquire the culture of visiting Istanbul.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 16 | 2 | 32 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Midterm | 1 | 90 | 90 |
| Quiz | 5 | 25 | 125 |
| Assignment | 5 | 20 | 100 |
| Practice | 5 | 30 | 150 |
| Final | 1 | 90 | 90 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “How Do We Interpret the City?” — Methods, Sources, and an Overview of the Cultural Layers That Define Istanbul | . |
| 2 | • Istanbul’s natural landscape, urban layout, and Bosphorus culture • From Byzantium to Constantinople: the city’s founding, the hippodrome, and the culture of public squares | . |
| 3 | • Byzantine Istanbul: palaces, walls, churches, the water system, and the era’s trade and food culture | . |
| 4 | • Field visit: Valens Aqueduct and Zeyrek Mosque (Pantokrator Monastery) | . |
| 5 | The Conquest and the Reconstruction of the City: Fatih’s Istanbul and Beyond | . |
| 6 | Classic Ottoman urban structure: complexes and neighborhood fabric | . |
| 7 | Field Visit: The Süleymaniye and Şehzade Complexes | . |
| 8 | Midterm | . |
| 9 | Seminar: The Yeni Mosque Complex | . |
| 10 | • Multicultural society: non-Muslim neighborhoods, the cosmopolitan life of Galata-Pera, Fener, and Balat | . |
| 11 | • 19th-century modernization: the Tanzimat, new streets, trams, and the process of modernization | . |
| 12 | • Field Visit: Istiklal Avenue | . |
| 13 | Istanbul's Museums: A Map from Classical/Archaeological Museums to Contemporary Art Institutions | . |
| 14 | Civil Architecture (Waterside, Mansions on the Asian-European Side) | . |
| 15 | • Field visit: Istanbul Museum of Modern Art | |
| 16 | Final exam | . |