Curriculum Studies in Turkey

This book analyzes curriculum studies in Turkey from the perspective of three paradigms—religion, science, and ideology—since the early 19th century. Using Islam as a guiding point, Turkish curriculum theory later evolved to become the classical curriculum theory. In this book, the author presents a historical account of the long, complex, and contested evolution of the Turkish curriculum, as shaped by the intellectual and international forces of the day. This interplay is designed to inform international curriculum studies across national borders.

“The book offers a detailed literature review on educational history, mostly from reliable sources. … an important and valuable study on the historical bases of curricula in Turkey. The book has been written in clear and fluent language.” (Mustafa Gündüz, History of Education, May 01, 2019)

“Sümer Aktan’s Curriculum Studies in Turkey is the first comprehensive analysis of the ways curricula have been shaped by historical forces from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic.  Reflecting the author’s deep engagement with the sources of and influences on the development of first imperial and then national curricula, this study represents a thoughtful overview of the transformation of learning from that the classical Islamic model to that driven by the nation-state.” (Benjamin C.  Fortna, Professor and Director, School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Arizona, USA)

“This is a fascinating and beautifully written account of curriculum theory’s emergence, contestations, and dialogues in Turkey. Aktan’s rich and panoramic journey is considerate to the reader, demonstrating detail in the historical sources and traversing a wide array of documents across his three major domains of analysis - religion, science and ideology. This is a text that is not just about Turkey or dismissable as the past. It is a must-read for curriculum historians anywhere who acknowledge that no nation, region, or Republic was sealed in advance and that ideas spring from hybridities that cannot be neatly disarticulated. The far and near horizons are sensitively attended to here, with Aktan illustrating the impact of empires – Ottoman, European, and American – on the reshaping of curriculum theories in Turkey. From mainstream classical Islamic sources to 21st century civics education in the elementary school classroom this text dynamically captures how big-picture historical shifts reverberate through dis/continuities in the local, moving the conversation toward what the author characterizes as a new Spring of hope in the curriculum studies field. A wonderful achievement!” (Bernadette Baker, Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA)

“This stunning book contains Aktan’s intricate tracings and analyses of historical influences on Turkey’s curriculum theorizing and studies. Aktan’s scholarship is admirably representative of curriculum theorizing that refuses presentism snares by engaging with curriculum history as always situated within particular socio-cultural histories and contexts. Thus illuminating dangers of promoting mythic senses of a nation’s past on which divisive nationalisms rest, Aktan’s remarkable and timely scholarship is a vital contribution to curriculum studies, not only in Turkey but also worldwide. ” (Janet Miller, Professor in the Department of Arts and Humanities and Faculty-At-Large, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, USA)

“Enlightening, insightful, erudite, and persuasive, this book offers a comprehensive yet in-depth historical view of Turkish curriculum in its continuity, contradictions, and complexity. Using three lenses of religion, science, ideology to understand the foundations and historical evolution of curriculum situated in Turkey’s complicated social and cultural changes, professor Aktan’s landmark book makes an original contribution to the field of curriculum studies not only in Turkey but also worldwide. ” (Hongyu Wang, Professor in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Sciences, Oklahoma State University, USA)

Sümer Aktan is Assistant Professor in the Necatibey Faculty of Education at Balıkesir University, Turkey. His primary research interests are curriculum history and theory, educational philosophy, and instructional processes.