Overview

This course focuses on the Ottoman-Turkish Constitutional Developments; the 1982 Constitution of Turkey, Characteristics of the Republic, Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, Legislative Power, Elections, Members of Parliament, Parliamentary Immunities, Executive Power, Judiciary, Constitutional Court and Constitutional Review. It mainly gives an opportunity to develop a general sense and knowledge on the Ottoman-Turkish Constitutions. It provides students a chance to foster an analytical understanding and evaluation of constitutional history of Turkey.

Throughout the course, students will be developing an ability to analyze the current governing system of Turkey from a perspective of comparative constitutional law. They will not only acquire general knowledge on Turkish constitutional law and politics as well as political and constitutional history of the Turkish state –both late Ottoman era and the Republic; but also understand the significant discussions on human rights, democracy, and rule of law, from a perspective of constitutional law theory. Weekly lectures will help students to improve their skills to comment and discuss about past and contemporary issues of constitutional government in Turkey.

As a point of departure, course will start by explaining the main political and constitutional developments of the 19th century and early 20th century Ottoman Empire. It will then continue with exploring the nation and constitution building process of the young Turkish republic. Important political/constitutional developments of the 60’s and 70’s that lead to the military coup d’etat of 1980 is also a part of this course. Thereafter, the course will explore the constitutional order as provided by the 1982 Constitution. Finally, this course will tell the students about the contemporary problems of constitutional government in Turkey