The Department of Turkish Literature, admitted the first students to its M.A. program in the 1998-1999 academic year. A Ph.D. program will be initiated in 2001 for the graduates of the M.A. program and other qualified candidates.

The graduate programs are designed to encompass all periods and genres of oral and written Turkish literature. Fields of concentration are: Ancient Turkish Literature, 13th Century Literature, Ottoman Literature, Folk Literature, 19th Century Literature, 20th Century Literature, and Turkic Literatures.

Unlike many of the traditional departments in this field, the Department of Turkish Literature encourages free and creative thinking, emphasizing research, analysis, interpretation, and criticism. Aiming at enhancing the standards of Turkish literary studies and universalizing the field, the Department underscores proficiency in several languages and encourages theoretical, interdisciplinary, and comparative approaches.

The language of instruction for courses in the Department is Turkish, except in instances where a non-Turkish visiting professor might prefer to teach in English.

Master of Arts in Turkish Literature

The duration of the M.A. program is three years, including a prep year during which students take courses designed to introduce various aspects of literature and strengthen proficiency in Ottoman Turkish and foreign languages.

Admission: Applicants must be graduates of four-year undergraduate programs, preferably in literature. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the applicant's scholastic record, level of proficiency in Turkish and English, a written examination designed to assess his/her ability to critically analyze literary texts, and an interview.

Degree Requirements: Candidates for the M.A. degree are required to complete at least 33 units of credit beyond the preparatory year and to prove their competence in Turkish, Ottoman, and English. Some students may be exempted from English and/or Ottoman depending on their proficiency levels. The candidates may be required to learn additional languages according to their fields of concentration: Persian and/or Arabic for 13th Century Literature and Ottoman Literature; a Turkic language and Russian for Ancient Turkish Literature and Turkic Literatures; French and/or German for 19th Century Literature and 20th Century Literature. Candidates must prepare and defend a Master's thesis. They must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout their studies. Language courses and thesis writing are non-credit requrements.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctoral program in Turkish literature will be initiated in 2001.

Admission: Applicants are required to hold a M.A. degree in Turkish Literature from Bilkent or another university. To be admitted to the program, applicants from other universities must pass written and oral exams. The maximum duration of the doctoral program is three and a half years.

Degree Requirements: Doctoral students must complete course work of at least 24 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and fulfil all language requirements before they present their written dissertation proposals and take comprehensive written and oral exams. The research proposal for the dissertation must be approved by the Department before the candidates take the comprehensive exams. These exams are designed to evaluate the candidate's expertise in his/her area of concentration and research proposal for the dissertation. The candidate is eligible to take the orals after passing the written exam. Following the successful completion of these requirements, the candidates will conduct research and proceed with the writing of their dissertation, which must embody original research and make a substantial contribution to Turkish literary scholarship. Candidates must successfully defend their dissertation before a committee of the faculty.

Bilkent University will award successful doctoral candidates the degree of "Doctor of Philosophy in Turkish Literature."

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