An Investigation into the Use of Ottoman-Era Cultural Heritage Sites in Amasya as Out-of-School Learning Environments in Religious Education

Authors : Muhammet Mustafa Bayraktar, Saliha Bozer Bayraktar

Pages : 9-53

Doi:10.18498/amailad.1748939

View : 180 | Download : 272

Publication Date : 2025-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study investigates the extent to which Ottoman-era cultural heritage sites located in Amasya can be utilized as out-of-school learning environments in religious education. The study is grounded in contemporary educational paradigms that argue learning should not be confined solely to classroom-based activities and emphasize the pedagogical value of historical, cultural, and architectural spaces. These perspectives form the theoretical foundation of the research. Designed in alignment with the value-oriented educational philosophy and place-based learning strategies advocated by the Century of Türkiye Education Model, the study employs a qualitative research methodology, supported by document analysis, literature review, and on-site observations. Key historical structures in the city center of Amasya—such as the Sultan Bayezid II Mosque, the Şehzade Osman Çelebi Mausoleum, the Bayezid II Madrasa, the Bayezid Manuscript Library, the Mustafa Bey Bathhouse, and the Yalıboyu Houses—have been examined in detail in terms of their historical, architectural, and functional characteristics. The religious, moral, and cultural values embodied by each site have been analyzed both through their physical attributes and their historical contexts. Adopting a place-based learning approach, the study explores how these spaces can be more effectively integrated into pedagogical practice and highlights the potential of religious architecture in facilitating value transmission and contextual learning. It argues that methods such as field trips, observation-based learning, and interactive instruction can transform these heritage structures into dynamic teaching materials. Furthermore, the study underlines the compatibility of this approach with both the Century of Türkiye Education Model and the current Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge curriculum. The findings suggest that the cultural heritage elements examined possess a high potential for fostering students’ historical consciousness, aesthetic perception, and internalization of religious values within tangible environments. However, to fully realize this potential, teachers must be equipped with place-based instructional competencies, curricula should allocate sufficient time and content for such activities, and collaborative efforts with relevant institutions (e.g., museums, local governments, foundations) must be established. Accordingly, the study contributes to the academic literature on religious education while also offering practical recommendations, demonstrating the educational potential of Amasya’s cultural heritage.
Keywords : Din Eğitimi, Türk İslam Sanatları, Okul Dışı Öğrenme, Osmanlı Dönemi, Amasya

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