Course Information

Semester	Course Unit Code	Course Unit Title	T+P+L	Credit	Number of ECTS Credits	Last Updated Date
1	SBU563	Strategic Culture and State Studies	3+0+0	3	7	29.12.2025

Course Details

Language of Instruction	Turkish
Level of Course Unit	Master's Degree
Department / Program	Political Science and International Relations (Non-Thesis)
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

Required: Keser, Ahmet Ed. (2020), Stratejik Kültür Ülke İncelemeleri, Berikan Yayınevi, Ankara. Required: 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.. Required: 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. Required: HARRISON, Richard W., The Russian Way of War: Operational Art, 1904-1940, University Press of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA, 2001. Required: 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 STRATE

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.

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

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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	5	75
Assignments	2	15	30
Presentation	1	15	15
Mid-terms	1	20	20
Final examination	1	25	25
Total Work Load			Number of ECTS Credits 7 210

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

No	Learning Outcomes
12345	Students who successfully complete this course will acquire the following competencies: 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.) 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.) 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.) 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.) 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 countr

Learning Outcomes

12345

Students who successfully complete this course will acquire the following competencies: 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.) 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.) 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.) 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.) 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 countr

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

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

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	2	1	2	2	2	2	2	2
C12345	3	2	4	3	1	2	3	2	2	2	3

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