Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
3PSIR241Introduction to International Relations3+0+03510.12.2024
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course The objective of this course is to have students understand the basics of international politics through scrutinizing the fundamental concepts and arguments.
Course Content The course will cover a wide range of themes that appear to be what the proceeding facilitated in the discipline of International Relations. In this sense, a historical process will be presented prior to the formation of the discipline in relevance to the development of political thoughts. After a thorough examination of the historical process, the emergence and relevance of theoretical perspectives and conceptual clarifications will be reviewed.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture, discussion-based lecture.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. Murat https://profil.hku.edu.tr/akademik/murat-aslan/ murat.aslan@hku.edu.tr
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Atilla Eralp, et al., Devlet ve Ötesi: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Kavramlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayıncılık, 2005). Steve Smith, Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorileri: Disiplin ve Çeşitlilik (Sakarya: Sakarya Üniversitesi Yayınları, 2016). Tayyar Arı, Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorileri: Çatışma Hegemonya İşbirliği (İstanbul: Marmara Kitap Merkezi, 2008).
Course Notes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to realize PY-1 Fundamental Concepts and Theories, PY-4 Multi-disciplinary study, PY-5 Independent study, PY-6 Assume responsibility. In this sense, this course aims to realize the following outcomes:
• Build interdisciplinary conceptual toolbox of the International Relations.
• Compare and contrast main theories and currents of thinking.
• Conduct thorough assessment of situations and determine what factors may best explains them and the impact the direction it takes.
• Link theory to practice by examining different case studies from the international arena.
• Assess the complex causes and the dynamics of contemporary politics.
• Critically evaluate competing theoretical approaches and practical methods of practicing international politics.
• Identify the origins and dynamics of specific developments through an academic perspective.

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 % 40
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
2
% 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 3 45
Assignments 4 10 40
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Final examination 1 10 10
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 5 150

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 To enhance their knowledge and understanding and gain mastery of the evolution and the leading debates theories of international relations.
2 To learn to use theories of international relations to understand the contemporary international system and be informed about decision and policy- making processes in sub-inter/intra-state relations.
3 To learn how to use concepts in analyzing current events. and making judgments, by applying their knowledge and understanding of the field to the relevant cases-events.
4 To read policy and political documents critically, assessing their consistency and applicability.
5 To assess documentary evidence and develop communication skills and construct clear, concise arguments using scientific language and methods.
6 To synthesize complex arguments and engage in higher order abstraction and thus develop their ability to apply concepts in doing empirical research.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
2 Historical Course of International Relations Review the readings. John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 35-64. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 32-64. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
3 Historical Course of International Relations John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 64-80. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 32-64. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
4 IR Theories – Realism Review the readings John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 99-113. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 65-98. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
5 Liberalism Review the readings. John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 113-126. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 99-131. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslrarası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
6 Neo-Neo Debate Review the readings ohn Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 126-140. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
7 Marxist Theories Review the readings John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 141-154. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 231-250. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
8 Midterm Exam Study
9 Marxist Theories Review the readings. John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 141-154. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 231-250. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
10 Social Constructivism Review the readings. John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 155-168. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 208-230. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
11 Post-Structuralism Review the readings. John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 169-183. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
12 Feminism and Environmental Studies Review the readings John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2014), pp. 258-273 / pp. 341-357. Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 288-292. Atilla Eralp, Devlet Sistem ve Kimlik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde Temel Yaklaşımlar (Ankara: İletişim Yayınları, Eylül 2016).
13 Foreign Policy and IR Review the readings Robert Jackson and Georg Sørensen, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013), pp. 251-274.
14 Turkish Foreign Policy Review the readings Hand out.
16 Final Exam

 
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10
All 3 2 1 1 3
C1 1 2 3 2 2
C2 2 1 2 3 2
C3 2 3 4 1 4
C4
C5
C6

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