How have historians conceptualized the post-Ottoman world in current scholarship? Is there a coherent theory or privileging of space or institutions that can be used across contexts to tell post-Ottoman histories in relation to each other? Is post-Ottoman studies an “area studies that never existed”? How can we use the post-Ottoman to reconsider regional/historical geographies to tell global histories?

The seminar will unfold over three conference sessions, each co-led by a pair of historians whose geographic focus expands concentrically from the core post-Ottoman territory outwards. Session one will address Turkey and Greece, session two will look at the Arab World and the Balkans, and session three will consider the post-Ottoman frame in a global context. Seminar leaders will introduce key sources, texts and ideas, some of which may be shared with participants in advance, in short introductions and conversation will follow with participants and audience for the remainder of each session.

This is a seminar session. Seminars meet three times during the conference, allowing participants to sustain a conversation and build relationships. Participants do not give papers but precirculate discussion documents according to guidelines circulated by the organizers. Participants must commit to attending all three sections of the seminar.

No charge; because space is limited, free advance registration is required. Potential participants should register by by December 1. Seminar facilitators will be in touch to confirm participation by mid-December. Graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Seminar facilitators may allow additional auditors to attend, but auditors must contact the facilitators in advance.