Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
4PSIR242International Relations Theory3+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 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. Provide an understanding of the basic assumptions and concepts underlying prevalent IR theories. The objectives are:
1. Explore the role and significance of theoretical thinking in the study of international relations.
2. Examine mainstream approaches such as Realism and Liberalism, as well as alternative theories like the English School, Marxism, Critical Theory, Constructivism, Feminism, and Poststructuralism.
3. Develop the intellectual tools to analyze and interpret global political events and trends through the lens of IR theories.
4. Understand the potential and limitations of theories in explaining and addressing international political issues.
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
Case study
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 Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, Steve Smith (2013), International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (Oxford: Oxford University Press).Scott Burchill, Andrew Linklater, Richard Devetak, Jack Donnelly, Matthew Paterson, Christian Reus-Smith, Jacqui True (2005), Theories of International Relations (New York: Palgrave MacMillan)
Course Notes A minimum attendance of 70% is required for this course. Students are expected to focus solely on course-related activities during class sessions. Active participation will positively contribute to the final grade.


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
Quizzes 2 % 10
Assignment 1 % 5
Attendance 14 % 5
Practice 1 % 10
Final examination 1 % 40
Total
20
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 14 3 42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 1 3 3
Assignments 1 10 10
Presentation 1 15 15
Mid-terms 1 30 30
Practice 2 5 10
Final examination 1 40 40
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 CLO1: Recognize the nature of the concept of international relations theory (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study)
2 CLO2: Understand the various approaches of Realism (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
3 CLO3: Understand the various approaches of Liberalism (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
4 CLO4: Understand the theory of English School (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
5 CLO5: Recognize the assumptions of Marxism over international politics (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
6 CLO6: Recognize the assumptions of Critical Theory over international politics (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
7 CLO7: Understand the Constructivist International Relations Theory (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
8 CLO8: Recognize the assumptions of the theory of Feminism over international politics (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).
9 CLO9: Recognize the assumptions of the theory of Poststructuralism over international politics (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study).

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Course Overview Introduction no assignment
2 Introduction to International Relations Theories Reading Burchill and Linklater, 2005: 1-23.
3 Classical Realism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 14-33
4 Structural Realism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 59-75.
5 Liberalism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 77-91
6 Neoliberalism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 94-113
7 The English School Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 114-131.
8 MID-TERM
9 Marxism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 153-170.
10 Critical Theory Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 171-186.
11 Constructivism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 187-204.
12 Feminism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 205-222.
13 Poststructuralism Reading Dunne et al., 2013: 223-246.
14 Student presentations
15 Student presentations

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

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