Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
2SBU626Strategic Culture and State Studies3+0+031029.12.2025
Course Details
Language of Instruction Turkish
Level of Course Unit Doctorate's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations (PhD)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course Attendance is compulsory. Students’ attendance records and class participation will be evaluated as part of the assessment (discretionary grade).

This course aims to enable students who take the course to:

Acquire knowledge of strategic culture and develop the competencies necessary to successfully fulfill the responsibilities they may assume in the future in national and international roles (such as diplomacy, resolution of international disputes, peace enforcement, peacekeeping, etc.).

Gain a clear understanding of how the strategic cultures of different countries are reflected in the decisions of their leaders or how those decisions are shaped and guided by national strategic cultures.

To this end, students will first study the concepts of Turkish strategic culture and the characteristics of the use of force. Subsequently, by examining the strategic cultures of selected states from a comparative perspective, they will learn about different strategic cultures and the decision-making patterns of leaders within those cultures, thereby developing skills on how to apply this knowledge in practice.

With this course, it is also intended—outside the National Defense University—to produce knowledge in the fields of social, human, and administrative sciences on this subject for the first time at a university in Türkiye.
Course Content The course content covers the following topics: strategic culture and its fundamental concepts; American Strategic Culture; German Strategic Culture; Russian Strategic Culture; Chinese Strategic Culture; and Iranian Strategic Culture.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture
Discussion based lecture
Case study
Small group work
Group work
Activities within a Student Body or Research Project
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Prof.Dr. Ahmet KESER
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020), Stratejik Kültür Ülke İncelemeleri, Berikan Yayınevi, Ankara.
LEWIS, Adrian, The American Culture of War: The History of U.S. Military Force from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Routledge Taylor&Francis Group, New York, NY, USA, 2007..
JOHNSTON, Alastair Iain, “Cultural Realism and Strategy in Maoist China”, Peter Katzenstein (ed), The Culture of National Security: Norms and Identity in World Politics, Columbia University Press, New York, NY,USA, 1996, 216-268.
HARRISON, Richard W., The Russian Way of War: Operational Art, 1904-1940, University Press of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA, 2001.
LONGHURST, Kerry, Germany and the Use of Force: The Evolution of Germany Security Policy 1990-2003 (Issues in German Politics), Manchester University Press, Mancherster, UK, 2005..
Required: KAMALAK, Zeynep Elçin (2023). WEIMAR ÖNCESİ (II. WILHELM 1888-1918) DÖNEMDEN BİRLEŞME SONRASI (MERKEL 2005-2021) DÖNEME ALMAN STRATEJİK KÜLTÜRÜ. Hasan Kalyoncu Üniversitesi, LEE, Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler AD, Doktora Tezi, Danışman: Doç.Dr. Ahmet KESER. Required: Lantis, Jeffrey S., (2005), “Strategic Culture: From Clausewitz to Constructivism”, Strategic Insights, Volume IV, Issue 10 (October 2005). Required: Gray, Colin S., (2006), Out of the Wilderness: Prime Time for Strategic Culture, A Publication of the United States Nuclear Strategy Forum, Publication No. 0004, National Institute Press, s.:iii. Required: Snyder, Jack, (1977), “The Soviet Strategic Culture: Implications for Limited Nuclear Operations”, RAND Cooperation, September 1977, s.22-29. Required: Al-Rodhan, Nayef, (2015), “Strategic Culture and Pragmatic National Interest”, Global Policy, Online on 22 July 2015, URL: https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/22/07/2015/strategic-culture-and-pragma
Course Notes Zorunlu: Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020), Stratejik Kültür Ülke İncelemeleri, Berikan Yayınevi, Ankara.
Zorunlu: LEWIS, Adrian, The American Culture of War: The History of U.S. Military Force from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Routledge Taylor&Francis Group, New York, NY, USA, 2007..
Zorunlu: JOHNSTON, Alastair Iain, “Cultural Realism and Strategy in Maoist China”, Peter Katzenstein (ed), The Culture of National Security: Norms and Identity in World Politics, Columbia University Press, New York, NY,USA, 1996, 216-268.
Zorunlu: HARRISON, Richard W., The Russian Way of War: Operational Art, 1904-1940, University Press of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA, 2001.
Zorunlu: LONGHURST, Kerry, Germany and the Use of Force: The Evolution of Germany Security Policy 1990-2003 (Issues in German Politics), Manchester University Press, Mancherster, UK, 2005..

Course Category
Social Sciences %60
Field %40

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 % 20
Assignment 1 % 5
Attendance 15 % 15
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
18
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 15 6 90
Assignments 4 9 36
Presentation 2 15 30
Mid-terms 1 45 45
Final examination 1 50 50
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 10 296

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 LO1 (ÖÇ1): a) Understand strategic culture and its fundamental concepts. b) Learn American Strategic Culture. c) Learn German Strategic Culture. d) Learn Russian Strategic Culture. e) Understand Chinese Strategic Culture. f) Learn Iranian Strategic Culture. Students will be able to effectively comprehend and interpret ideas related to these topics and discuss them within a framework of respect for differing viewpoints. (PY1: Demonstrates command of fundamental texts related to strategic culture and the strategic cultures of the countries studied; understands the field’s basic concepts, theories, models, approaches, and the relationships among them. PY3: Can effectively understand and interpret news and commentary on strategic culture; participate in discussions and make future-oriented assessments.)
2 LO2 (ÖÇ2): Develop awareness of the main approaches when evaluating different perspectives on strategic culture theory. a) Understand the sources, tools, and methods used in the study of strategic culture. b) Identify, explore, and independently research fundamental issues related to strategic culture; analyze and interpret the relevant literature. c) Conduct research and studies in accordance with social, cultural, scientific, and ethical values. (PY1: Knowledge of basic concepts and theories. PY2: Can evaluate and interpret quantitative and qualitative data using theoretical, factual, and methodological knowledge; define problems, conduct data analysis, and develop solutions. PY5: Ability to work independently. PY11: Acts in accordance with social, cultural, scientific, and ethical values.)
3 LO3 (ÖÇ3): Recognize the concept of strategic culture and the strategic cultures of different countries, and compare them using various cultural models. Understand and construct strategic culture typologies (Offensive, Active Defensive, Passive Defensive, Negotiator). Conduct research on this topic using political science methodologies, collect data, and perform analysis. Prepare for negotiations by understanding the communication techniques of different cultures and manage negotiation processes collaboratively as part of a team. (PY1: Knowledge of basic concepts and theories. PY2: Ability to evaluate, interpret, analyze data, and produce solutions using acquired theoretical and methodological knowledge. PY5: Ability to conduct independent research and prepare comprehensive reports or academic articles. PY6: Can fulfill responsibilities as a team member or leader in project and group work; takes initiative when necessary. PY7: Can clearly and effectively present and share knowledge, research findings, ideas, and interpretations in academic and professional settings in Turkish. PY8: Demonstrates respect for cultural and individual differences and communicates empathetically in multicultural environments.)
4 LO4 (ÖÇ4): a) Learn the strategic cultures of the United States, Germany, Russia, China, Iran, and other major countries. b) Understand Turkish Strategic Culture. c) Understand how leaders’ decisions regarding the use of force in international politics are influenced by strategic culture. Evaluate different practices related to these topics, apply fundamental approaches within groups while maintaining a sense of social responsibility, and share this knowledge in academic environments. (PY1: Knowledge of basic concepts and theories. PY9: Understands the individual, social, and ecological dimensions of social responsibility and demonstrates awareness of active citizenship. PY10: Demonstrates competence in knowledge sharing, collaborative work, and incorporating critical perspectives in academic settings.)
5 LO5 (ÖÇ5): Analyze definitions and concepts related to strategic culture, national culture, political culture, and organizational culture within the frameworks of sociology, psychology, and political science; examine these concepts through country case studies; and conduct interdisciplinary studies integrating Political Science, Psychology, Law, and Sociology. (PY4: Can relate and integrate knowledge from Political Science and International Relations with Law, Sociology, and Psychology; interpret information holistically, generate new knowledge, and demonstrate understanding of interdisciplinary interaction.)

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Strategic Culture and Fundamental Concepts Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020), Stratejik Kültür Ülke İncelemeleri, Berikan Yayınevi, Ankara.
2 Levels of Analysis in Strategic Culture Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020).
3 Turkish Strategic Culture, Style of Warfare, and Use of Force Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020),
4 American Strategic Culture Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020),
5 American Style of Warfare and Use of Force Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020),
6 Russian Strategic Culture Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020)
7 Russian Style of Warfare and Use of Force Keser, 2020
8 MID TERM EXAM Keser, 2020
9 German Strategic Culture Keser, 2020
10 German Style of Warfare and Use of Force Keser, 2020
11 Chinese Strategic Culture Keser, 2020
12 • Chinese Style of Warfare and Use of Force Keser, 2020
13 Iranian Strategic Culture Keser, 2020
14 Iranian Style of Warfare and Use of Force keser, 2020
15 General Review, Discussion, and Student Presentations Keser, 2020
16 FINAL EXAM NA

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11
All 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2
C1 2 2 3 2
C2 3 1 3 2 2 1 2 2 2
C3 1 2 2 3 2 1 1
C4 2 2 2 1 1
C5 1 2 2 1 2 2 3

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