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
POL4410 Theories of International Relations Spring 3 0 3 5
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): Dr. Öğr. Üyesi MERVE ÖZDEMİRKIRAN
Dr. ANNA MARIA BEYLUNİOĞLU
Assoc. Prof. ESRA ALBAYRAKOĞLU
Course Objectives: This course examines various theories, which offer different viewpoints on how to evaluate concepts, actors and events in international relations. The course handles theories in historical setting, discusses the critique directed against each theory and seeks to put theory into practice through case analyses.

Learning Outputs

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

1. Differentiate between classical and critical IR theories;
2. Identify the major figures and basic assumptions associated with each IR theory;
3. Put theory into practice through case analyses;
4. Discuss the explanatory strength of IR theories;
5. Develop competencies with respect to active inquiry and critical thinking.

Course Content

Introduction to Western and Non-Western Theories of IR, Classical and Neo Realism, Classical and Neo Liberalism, English School, Constructivism, Copenhagen School, Post-structuralism, Marxist-inspired Third World Theories (Post-colonialism and World Systems Theory), Feminism, Green Theory (Environmentalism)

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to Western and Non-Western Theories of IR Barry Buzan, "How and How not to Develop IR Theory" • Mark Kauppi and Paul Viotti, "Thinking about IR Theory" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvKRAd9b0zU (Steve Smith & TIR) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6uwExc7eu8 (What is a non-Western IR theory?)
2) Classical Realism • Tim Dunne et. al., "Classical Realism" • John Herz, "Security Dilemma in IR" • Hans Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnKEFSVAiNQ (Realism) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--kUgPyhg2U (Niccolo Machiavelli) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyKpG8Owk2I (Hans Morgenthau)
3) Structural Realism • Tim Dunne et.al., "Structural Realism" • Richard Ned Lebow, “The Long Peace, the End of the Cold War, and the Failure of Realism” • Fred Halliday, "Interview with Ken Waltz" • Gideon Rose, “Neoclassical Realism and TFP” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T-Bh254RJI (Kenneth Waltz) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXllDh6rD18&list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mx (John Mearsheimer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESwIVY2oimI (John Mearsheimer II)
4) Classical Liberalism • Tim Dunne et. al., “Liberalism” • John Ikenberry, "Liberalism in a Realist World" • Christopher Layne, “Kant or Cant” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZbDMUaqwE8 (Liberalism) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzh7N1gEF8 (Liberalism/Neoliberalism) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D5FNrqT5dM (Andrew Moravscik on liberal theory)
5) Structural (Neo) Liberalism • Tim Dunne et. al., "Neoliberalism" • John Mearsheimer, “The False Promise of Int. Ins." • Andrew Moravscik, "Explaining Human Rights Regimes" • Miroslava Kulkova, "The North American Security Community" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdV9bnNMIw (Neorealism vs. Neoliberalism) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgF2-RVu1Ag (Functionalism and the European Union)
6) WRAP UP AND Q&A
7) The English School • Mark Kauppi and Paul Viotti, “The English School" • Paul Sharp, "Mullah Zaeef and Taliban Diplomacy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnUEkddkKjQ (The Globalization of International Society - Tim Dunne and Chris Reus-Smit)
8) Constructivism • Ted Hopf, "The Promise of Constructivism" • Rey Koslowski and Friedrich Kratochwil, “Understanding Change in International Politics" • Jutta Weldes and Diane Saco, “Making State Action Possible" • James MacHaffie, "SCO as a Nascent Security Community" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYU9UfkV_XI&t=87s (Constructivism) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwU0UX5ktcU (Social Constructivism) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUF-T5JubDg&t=37s (War in Iraq through the lens of Realism, Liberalism and Constructivism)
9) Copenhagen School • Ole Wæver, “The Changing Agenda of Societal Security” • Matt McDonald, “Securitization and the Construction of Security” • Barry Buzan, "Security Complexes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ07tWOzE_c (Copenhagen School and Securitization Theory) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwSdjBU7LFI&list=PLhYE8cjKxVOPqhwGl4f0NvQ2dj7MUyHpL (Societal security issues in the Baltics)
10) Poststructuralism • John Baylis and Steve Smith, "Poststructuralism" • David Campbell, “Global Inscription: How FP Constitutes the US” • Roxanne Lynn Doty, "Border-crossing Deaths" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKJlSY0DBBA (Understanding Derrida, Deconstruction & Of Grammatology) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBpI7PxwjzU (Foucault's Governmentality - International Relations) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgKJVz40lds (Drones, what drones? News media and the ongoing war on terror)
11) Marxism and Third World Theories (Post-colonialism & World Systems Theory) • John Baylis and Steve Smith, "Marxist Theories of IR" & "Postcolonial and Decolonial Approaches" • Daniel Chirot and Thomas Hall, "World Systems Theory" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7CyPpnZ7PU (How the colonial past influences the way we see the world today) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGBnkk3-fS0 (Homi Bhabha on Postcolonial studies) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7lmz4UL4wE (Africa post-colonial development)
12) Feminism • Mark Kauppi and Paul Viotti, "Feminist Understandings in IRT" • Eric Blanchard and Shuang Lin, "Gender and Non-Western Global IR" • Anna Agathangelou and L. Ling, "Lessons of Violence and Desire from 9/11" • Cynthia Cockburn and Cynthia Enloe, "Militarism, Patriarchy and Peace Movements" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajAWGztPUiU (Feminism and International Relations) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B33FkDx4__k (What has feminism done for International Relations? - Ann Tickner) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDsX2dl9hn0 (Interview with Cynthia Enloe)
13) Green Theory (Environmentalism) • Tim Dunne, et al. "Green Theory" • Michael J. Denis, "Green IR Theory and Domestic Wars" • Tayyar Arı and Fatih B. Gökpınar, "Climate-migration: A Security Analysis within the Context of Green Theory" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8yOamWq3a0 (Garrett Hardin on the Tragedy of the Commons) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUIIM0jgYY (Why climate change negotiations fail - An IR perspective) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE_jle2QL6M (Future resource wars) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reFswkkZYA (Is green-socialist ideology destroying Germany?)
14) WRAP UP AND Q&A

Sources

Course Notes: Weekly readings will be uploaded on ItsLearning at the beginning of the semester. Please note that all book chapters and articles listed on the syllabus are also accessible through the BAU Library. The PPT files will be shared on ItsLearning following each class. ----- Haftalık ders okumalarının tamamı, dönem başında ItsLearning’e yüklenir. Ders izlencesinde yer alan tüm kitap bölümleri ve makalelere BAU Kütüphanesi’nden de erişilebilir. PowerPoint dosyaları, hafta bazında ve işlenen ders sonrasında ItsLearning’e yüklenir.
References: Articles in Course Package. Youtube videos on related subjects. ------ İşlenen konularla ilgili Youtube videoları.

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 2 % 20
Homework Assignments % 0
Presentation % 0
Project % 0
Seminar % 0
Midterms 1 % 30
Preliminary Jury % 0
Final 1 % 50
Paper Submission % 0
Jury % 0
Bütünleme % 0
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 50
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 14 42
Laboratory
Application
Special Course Internship (Work Placement)
Field Work
Study Hours Out of Class 14 154
Presentations / Seminar
Project
Homework Assignments
Quizzes 2 1
Preliminary Jury
Midterms 1 1.5
Paper Submission
Jury
Final 1 1.5
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. 3
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. 3
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. 2
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. 2