POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (ENGLISH, PHD)
PhD TR-NQF-HE: Level 8 QF-EHEA: Third Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 8

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
POL6025 International Politics in the Middle East Spring 3 0 3 12
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Departmental Elective
Course Level:
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Assoc. Prof. ESRA ALBAYRAKOĞLU
Recommended Optional Program Components: none
Course Objectives: This course aims to give the students brief information on the historical background of the Middle East region. As the Middle East gains more importance each day, the course stresses to explain the formation period of the region and the possible causes of dissolution by examining the Arab Spring while also looking at the origin and the peace process of the Arab-
Israeli conflict which holds to be one of the biggest conflicts in the region.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Upon successful completion of the course, students will acquire necessary historical and political background on the enduring conflicts of the region and their origins.

Course Content

First and foremost, in order to understand the formation of the region and the diversities in the Middle East, the course will also cover the superpower interventions in the states and influences over them. After explaining the region’s features, the course will emphasize on the post September 11 foreign policy of the United States towards the Middle East. Giving
a theoretical approach on the changing balance of power in the international arena after the 1990s, the course will debate on the current status of the world and try to explain the 2003
Iraq War and US’s democracy promotion.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Historical Perspective: An Introduction to the Middle East, Foreign Involvement in the Middle East in the early 19th century, I. World War, Interwar Period Academic Articles and related books
2) Historical Perspective: An Introduction to the Middle East, Foreign Involvement in the Middle East in the early 19th century, I. World War, Interwar Period Academic Articles and related books
3) Second World War and the consequences, the impact of the war on the Jewish public and the region, increasing sympathy towards the Jewish public and Zionism and twice Promised Land Academic Articles and related books
4) The establishment of the Israeli state, The Origin of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, beginning of the Palestinian refugee problem, 1947 Partition, 1948 War, 1956 Suez Crisis and the increasing US Pressure on the region Academic Articles and related books
5) Nasser Era, Six Day War, Arab Union and the shift of balance of power between the Arab States, Israel-US Partnership Academic Articles and related books
6) The Rise of PLO and Arafat, Death of Nasser and Anwar Sadat Era, the Yom Kippur War and Superpower Involvement, the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Process Academic Articles and related books
7) The Oil Embargo, Kissinger’s Shuttle Diplomacy, Camp David Accords, Iran, Lebanon, Hamas Academic Articles and related books
8) The Oil Embargo, Kissinger’s Shuttle Diplomacy, Camp David Accords, Iran, Lebanon, Hamas Academic Articles and related books
9) Iraq, The Gulf War, US and the Gulf, Madrid and Oslo Accords, 2000 Camp David, September 11 Attacks Academic Articles and related books
10) Iraq, The Gulf War, US and the Gulf, Madrid and Oslo Accords, 2000 Camp David, September 11 Attacks Academic Articles and related books
11) Foreign Policies of the Middle East States, US Post-September 11 Policies, 2003 Iraq War Academic Articles and related books
12) US Democracy Promotion – Interventions Academic Articles and related books
13) Arab Spring and It’s Implications Academic Articles and related books
14) Overview Academic Articles and related books

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: William L. Cleveland – Modern Middle East History
Louise Fawcett - International Relations of the Middle East
Raymond Hinnebusch & Anoushiravan Ehteshami - The Foreign Policies of the Middle East
States
Ian J. Bickerton - The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Laura Zittrain Eisenberg & Neil Caplan- Negotiating Arab - Israeli Peace
David S. Sorenson - Interpreting the Middle East
References: Robert D. Lee – Religion and Politics in the Middle East
Peter Mansfield – A History of the Middle East

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 30
Homework Assignments 10 % 40
Final 1 % 30
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 70
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 30
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Application 14 4 56
Study Hours Out of Class 14 4 56
Homework Assignments 9 2 18
Final 1 3 3
Total Workload 175

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Have the social, scientific and ethical values under any circumstances with related to the field of Political Science and International Relations in data collection, interpretation, and dissemination stage also information to develop and deepen the level of expertise. 3
2) Students can critically evaluate the political developments, strategies and practical outcomes on the international political arena, based on theoretical knowledge. 4
3) Have the knowledge of the nation state to the present day about geographical, institutional, structural, conceptual and theoretical development of the international relations; the political, economic and juridical foundation of the state. Evaluated to be critical a variety of security issues, strategies, and practical consequences in the international arena. 4
4) Possess the ability to recognize problems and create original solutions through independent and critical thinking, as well as the ability to develop theoretical concepts. In addition, a knowledge of recent advances within one's field and in related areas, an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within one's research field. 4
5) Through completion of advanced course work and rigorous skills training, the doctoral program prepares students to make original contributions to the knowledge of Political Science and to interpret and present the results of such research. 4
6) Distinguish among and apply the distinct levels of analysis and the leading schools of thought in political science and international relations to understand and explain international political phenomena 4
7) Distinguish among leading schools of thought in comparative politics and apply and critically discuss these approaches in understanding and explaining domestic political phenomena 4