SOCIOLOGY
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code	Course Name	Semester	Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
POL1351	Introduction to Political Science	Fall	3	0	3	8

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:	Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Hybrid
Course Coordinator :	Assoc. Prof. ESRA ALBAYRAKOĞLU
Course Lecturer(s):	Assoc. Prof. ZEYNEP HANDE PAKER UNCU Dr. Öğr. Üyesi YÜKSEL ALPER ECEVİT Dr. Öğr. Üyesi ARDA CAN KUMBARACIBAŞI Instructor YASEMİN BİLGEL
Recommended Optional Program Components:	None
Course Objectives:	This course provides an introduction to basic concepts and theories of political science. It adopts a holistic approach which combines a variety of theories, conceptual frameworks and paradigms with political practice. It starts from human nature, elaborates on state and society and focuses on systems and structures emerging from the political. It finally addresses political economy, political violence and international relations to clarify how these three areas intersect with the discipline of political science. Some of the central themes that the course will cover are society and state, justice, legitimacy, sovereignty, authority, government, constitution, regimes, leadership, political culture, public opinion, interest groups, parties, elections, electoral systems, legislatures, executives, judiciaries, political economy, poverty, development, political violence, terrorism and international relations.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
The students who have succeeded in this course;

1. Grasp the general concepts relating to political science;
2. Recognize multilateral processes in between individual, state, civil society, institutions and organizations;
3. Distinguish the basic theories, methodologies and applications of Political Science;
4. Find out important contributors to political thought with the reasons which make them essential;
5. Identify strengths and weaknesses of political systems and regimes;
6. Compare similarities, dissimilarities and contrasts of political structures;
7. Examine and implement political theories to analyze past and contemporary issues.

Course Content

Theories of Political Science, Ideologies, States, Constitutions and Rights, Societies and Regimes, Political Culture, Public Opinion, Political Communication and the Media, Interest Groups and Parties, Elections and Electoral Processes, Representation, Legislatures, Executives, Bureaucracies, Judiciaries, Institutions and Democracy.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to Politics and Political Science	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.1
2)	Theories of Political Science	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.2
3)	Political Ideas and Ideologies	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.3
4)	Governments, Systems, and Regimes	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.12
5)	Democracy and Legitimacy	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.4
6)	Politics, The State and Sub-National Politics	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.5
7)	MIDTERM EXAM
8)	Nations and Nationalism
9)	Globalization, Political Culture and the Media	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.9
10)	Representation, Elections and Voting	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.10
11)	Parties and Party Systems	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.11
12)	Legislatures, Executives and Judiciaries	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.13, 14, 15
13)	Interest Groups, Civil Society and Social Movements	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan,2013 4th edition. Ch.16
14)	Revision and Summary

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:	Andrew Heywood, Politics. Macmillan, 2013 4th edition. Michael G. Roskin, Robert L. Cord, James A. Medeiros, and Walter S. Jones, Political Science: An Introduction, Perason, 12th edition, 2012William Hale, Turkish Foreign Policy since 1774, 3rd Ed., London: Routledge, 2012.
References:	Articles in Course Package

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Midterms	1	% 40
Final	1	% 60
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 40
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 60
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Workload
Course Hours	13	39
Study Hours Out of Class	13	157
Midterms	1	2
Final	1	2
Total Workload		200

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)	To learn and compare major sociology perspectives, both classical and contemporary, and apply all of them to analysis of social conditions.
2)	To be able to identify the basic methodological approaches in building sociological and anthropological knowledge at local and global levels
3)	To be able to use theoretical and applied knowledge acquired in the fields of statistics in social sciences.
4)	To have a basic knowledge of other disciplines (including psychology, history, political science, communication studies and literature) that can contribute to sociology and to be able to make use of this knowledge in analyzing sociological processes
5)	To have a knowledge and practice of scientific and ethical principles in collecting, interpreting and publishing sociological data also develop ability how to share this data with experts and lay people, using effective communication skills
6)	To develop competence in analyzing and publishing sociological knowledge by using computer software for quantitative and qualitative analysis; and develop an attitute for learning new techniques in these fields.
7)	To identify and to have a knowledge of the theories related to urban and rural sociology and demography, and political sociology, sociology of gender, sociology of body, visual sociology, sociology of work, sociology of religion, sociology of knowledge and sociology of crime.
8)	To have knowledge of how sociology is positioned as a scientific discipline from a philosophical and historical perspective
9)	To have the awareness of social issues in Turkish society, to develop critical perspective in analysing these issues and to have a knowledge of the works of Turkish sociologists and to be able to transfer this knowledge
10)	To have the awareness of social issues and global societal processes and to apply sociological analysis to development and social responsibility projects
11)	To have the ability to define a research question, design a research project and complete a written report for various fields of sociology, either as an individual or as a team member.
12)	To be able to transfer the knowledge gained in the areas of sociology to the level of secondary school.