A survey of the cultural politics and political culture of a number of great courts selected from different periods and geographies, ranging from Renaissance Italy through France under absolutism to Mughal India. Questions to be addressed by a distinguished group of international scholars will include : the role of pomp and circumstance in building authority and legitimacy; the composite nature of early modern polities; the role played by courts in shaping rulers' relations with the wider community of the realm; the imprint of ceremonies and ceremonial organization on urban space - framing a closer look at the impact of the Ottoman court on the texture and topography of Istanbul. Requirements : short papers for every comparative, non-Ottoman module, plus a major research paper of around 20-30 pages based on Ottoman materials. Counts towards fulfilling the seminar requirement in History while also serving as a course in advanced paleography. Prerequisite : An adequate command of Ottoman Turkish, through TLL 501-502 or the equivalent, and subject to the instructor's approval.
