PSYCHOLOGY
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 develop an interest in the human mind and behavior, to be able to evaluate theories using empirical findings, to understand that psychology is an evidence-based science by acquiring critical thinking skills.
2)	To gain a biopsychosocial perspective on human behavior. To understand the biological, psychological, and social variables of behavior.
3)	To learn the basic concepts in psychology and the theoretical and practical approaches used to study them (e.g. basic observation and interview techniques).
4)	To acquire the methods and skills to access and write information using English as the dominant language in the psychological literature, to recognize and apply scientific research and data evaluation techniques (e.g. correlational, experimental, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, case studies).
5)	To be against discrimination and prejudice; to have ethical concerns while working in research and practice areas.
6)	To recognize the main subfields of psychology (experimental, developmental, clinical, cognitive, social and industrial/organizational psychology) and their related fields of study and specialization.
7)	To acquire the skills necessary for analyzing, interpreting and presenting the findings as well as problem posing, hypothesizing and data collection, which are the basic elements of scientific studies.
8)	To gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary for psychological assessment and evaluation.
9)	To acquire basic knowledge of other disciplines (medicine, genetics, biology, economics, sociology, political science, communication, philosophy, anthropology, literature, law, art, etc.) that will contribute to psychology and to use this knowledge in the understanding and interpretation of psychological processes.
10)	To develop sensitivity towards social problems; to take responsibility in activities that benefit the field of psychology and society.
11)	To have problem solving skills and to be able to develop the necessary analytical approaches for this.
12)	To be able to criticize any subject in business and academic life and to be able to express their thoughts.