Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
1PSIR502International Relations Theory3+0+03728.12.2025
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations (English) (With Thesis)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The course explores the main theories of international relations. By the end of the course, students should be conversant with basic IR theories and have the intellectual tools to have insight on global politics by using theories of international relations. The course is also designed to provide students with an understanding of the potential and limitations of theory in the study of international politics
Course Content The course provides basic assumptions of prevalent international theories. Beginning with the elaboration on the concept of theory and how theoretical thinking over international relations matters, the course proceeds with various interpretations of mainstream approaches like Realism and Liberalism. The course also covers the theories of English School, Marxism, Critical Theory, and relatively new ones as Constructivism, Feminism, and Poststructuralism.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture
Discussion based lecture
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Prof.Dr. Cenker Korhan Demir
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Required: Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, Steve Smith (2013), International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (Oxford: Oxford University Press). Required: Scott Burchill, Andrew Linklater, Richard Devetak, Jack Donnelly, Matthew Paterson, Christian Reus-Smith, Jacqui True (2005), Theories of International Relations (New York: Palgrave MacMillan) Recommended: Morgenthau, Hans. (1948). “A Realist Theory of International Politics”, Politics Among Nations (New York: Knopf), 3-17. Recommended: Waltz, Kenneth. (2000). “Structural Realism After the Cold War”, International Security, 35 (2), 210-232. Recommended: Keohane, Robert and Joseph Nye. (1987). “Power and Interdependence revisited”, International Organization 41(4), 725-753. Recommended: Bull, Hedley. (1995). The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics (London: Macmillan). Recommended: Cox, Robert W. (1981). “Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory”, Millennium: Journal of Inter
Course Notes

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Mid-terms 1 % 30
Final examination 1 % 40
Total
2
% 70

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 10 3 30
Assignments 2 15 30
Presentation 1 15 15
Mid-terms 1 40 40
Final examination 1 50 50
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 7 210

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Recognize the nature of the concept of international relations theory
2 Understand the various approaches of Realism
3 Understand the various approaches of Liberalism
4 Understand the theory of English School
5 Recognize the assumptions of Marxism over international politics
6 Recognize the assumptions of Critical Theory over international politics
7 Understand the Constructivist International Relations Theory
8 Recognize the assumptions of the theory of Feminism over international politics
9 Recognize the assumptions of the theory of Poststructuralism over international politics

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Course Overview/ Introduction to IR Theories
2 Great Debates in International Relations Burchill and Linklater, 2005: 1-23. Dunne et al., 2013: 14-33
3 Classical Realism Dunne et al., 2013: 59-75. Morgenthau (1948)
4 Structural Realism Dunne et al., 2013: 77-91.
5 Liberalism Dunne et al., 2013: 94-113.
6 Neoliberalism Dunne et al., 2013: 114-131.
7 The English School Dunne et al., 2013: 132-152.
8 Mid-Term Exam
9 Marxism Dunne et al., 2013: 153-170.
10 Critical Theory Dunne et al., 2013: 171-186.
11 Constructivism Dunne et al., 2013: 171-186.
12 Feminism Dunne et al., 2013: 205-222.
13 Presentations of research topics
14 Presentations of research topics
15 Presentations of research topics
16 Final Exam

 
Recommended Optional Programme Components
Veri yok
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11
All 4 3 4 2 2 1 3 1 1 3 2
C1 4 2 4 2 1
C2 3 2 4 2 1 2
C3 3 2 3 2 1 2 2
C4 3 3 3 2 1 3 2
C5 3 2 3 2 3 3 2
C6 3 2 4 2 1 3 2
C7 3 2 3 2 1 1
C8 3 3 4 2 1 3 3
C9 3 3 3 2 3

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant