Abstract

The goal of this study is to analyze the 10th grade high school students’ misconceptions related to the sense of ruling in the Ottoman State during the absolutist and constitutional periods and to investigate the causes of these misconceptions. The data were collected through eight open-ended questions related to the concepts of absolutism and constitutionalism in the Ottoman History lesson. Descriptive analysis was carried out through the written answers by students. The study was applied to two hundreds of 10th grade students (16 to 17 years old).  Data analysis suggests several causes of students’ misconceptions for the conceptions under consideration, due to the fact that students cannot understand the complicated structure of ruler ship depending on different periods. They use the contemporary moral and religious values when they interpret these concepts.  They are affected by the exaggerated images of rulers in media. Also, they forget some of the concepts in the subjects while they remember some others. Based on all these observations, the paper makes following suggestions:  the language of history courses should be simplified; plans for concept teaching should be carried out during the courses. Also, students should have frequent exercises of thinking over historical concepts.

Key words: History teaching, misconception, Ottoman history concepts, absolutism, constitutionalism.