Women’s Writing in Turkish Literature (1895-1950)

Course Objectives:

The main objective of this course is to introduce students with women’s writing and major narratological concepts specific to it, such as narrative strategies, intertextuality, parallel themes, and linguistic and semantic structures. It is expected that the students will become familiar with feminist literary criticism and gyno-critical reading. The course also aims to help students develop their critical thinking and analytical skills in relation to Turkish literary historiographies and the male-dominated literary canon in Turkish literature.

Course Content:

Women’s Writing in Turkish Literature (1895-1950) explores the foundational texts of women’s writing, beginning with the first works produced by female authors within modern literary genres. The course covers the period from the late Ottoman era to the shift brought about by post-1950s modernist literary movement in Turkish literature. Its goal is to equip students with the skills necessary to critically engage with these texts through the lens of gyno-critical reading. By engaging with key works of feminist literary theory, the course aims to develop both theoretical reading skills and the ability to apply these theoretical and methodological insights in literary criticism. Consequently, the course includes a range of theoretical texts, literary works, and academic writings that offer gyno-critical readings of women’s writing.