Basic Course Outline

Week 1:   Monumental Foundations (4^th -7^th Century)

Issues:   Urban geography, fortifications, Imperial and religious monuments, food and water supply,

            Sites:  Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, St. Sergius and Bacchus, Valens Aquaduct, Fatih Camii, City Walls,

            Hippodrome.

Week 2:   Byzantine Glory (8^th-14^th Century)

            Issues:  Economic and cultural prestige of the city in the medieval period, non-

Byzantines in Constantinople.

            Sites:   Chora Monastery, Pammakaristos, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Galata Tower and Area

Week 3 & 4:     Ottoman Constantinople (15^th-17^th Century)

            Issues:   Ottoman Conquest, political and religious transformation, physical and

economic re-development.

            Sites:   Suleymaniye, Atik Valide, Bazaar District, Topkapi, Military Museum, Blue Mosque

Week 5:   Late Ottoman Constantinople (18^th-19^th Century)

            Issues:   Religious and ethnic diversity, political and economic decline,

            westernization, “problem” of nationalism

            Sites:  Neve Shalom Synagogue, Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate, Pera

            Museum, Dolmabahçe Palace