Turkish history from the 18th century to the present. Turkey as strategic ally of the US; candidate for membership in European Union; first Muslim country to adopt democracy, secularism, and Westernization, and as political, cultural, and economic model for other Muslim countries. Focus on Turkish people's encounter with modernity as Muslims; questions about contradictions and promises of Muslim and modern experience; informed consideration of Islam's encounter with the West. No prerequisites. No knowledge of Turkish required.
