POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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
The course opens with the approval of the Department at the beginning of each semester

Basic information

Language of instruction: En
Type of course: Must Course
Course Level: Bachelor
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
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 Outputs

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: 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
Attendance % 0
Laboratory % 0
Application % 0
Field Work % 0
Special Course Internship (Work Placement) % 0
Quizzes % 0
Homework Assignments % 0
Presentation % 0
Project % 0
Seminar % 0
Midterms 1 % 40
Preliminary Jury % 0
Final 1 % 60
Paper Submission % 0
Jury % 0
Bütünleme % 0
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
Laboratory
Application
Special Course Internship (Work Placement)
Field Work
Study Hours Out of Class 13 157
Presentations / Seminar
Project
Homework Assignments
Quizzes
Preliminary Jury
Midterms 1 2
Paper Submission
Jury
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) Grasp basic theoretical and conceptual knowledge about the field and relations between them at the level of practice. 5
2) Possess basic knowledge about the causes and effects of political transformations in societies. 5
3) Possess knowledge about quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods in social and behavioral sciences.
4) Recognize historical patterns while evaluating contemporary political and social developments. 5
5) Demonstrate interdisciplinary and critical approach while analyzing, synthesizing and forecasting domestic and foreign policy. 5
6) Conduct studies in the field professionally, both independently or as a team member. 3
7) Possess consciousness about lifelong learning based on Research & Development. 3
8) Communicate with peers both orally and in writing, by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio B1 General Level and the necessary informatics and communication technologies. 5
9) Apply field-related knowledge and competences into career advancement, projects for sustainable development goals, and social responsibility initiatives. 3
10) Possess the habit to monitor domestic and foreign policy agenda as well as international developments. 5
11) Possess competence to interpret the new political actors, theories and concepts in a global era. 5
12) Evaluate the legal and ethical implications of advanced technologies on politics. 3