Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
5PSIR321Political Sociology3+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 relevance of politics and sociology. In this sense, this course delves into the societal fundamentals of politics and affiliated approaches to absorb the background of political events.
Course Content The basic interest of the course is to portray the essential approaches that transform the proceeding of politics. In this context, the course will cover the themes as follows: 1) sources of the ‘change’, 2) the sorts of authority and its exploitation, and 3) institutions of politics and their practices. Consequently, the curse will focus on the complicated interaction and resonation of state, society, and politics.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture, discussion-based lecture.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Associate Prof.Dr. Murat Aslan https://profil.hku.edu.tr/akademik/murat-aslan/ murat.aslan@hku.edu.tr
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Main Textbook: Betty A. Dobratz, Lisa K. Waldner, and Timothy Buzzell (2019). Power, Politics, And Society: An Introduction to Political Sociology. 2 nd Ed. New York: Routledge.
Course Notes Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to realize PLO-1 Fundamental Concepts and Theories, PLO-4 Multi-disciplinary study, PLO-5 Independent study, PLO-6 Assume responsibility. In this sense, this course aims to realize the following outcomes:
• Build interdisciplinary conceptual toolbox of political sociology.
• Compare and contrast main currencies and contemporary thinking.
• Link theory to practice by examining different case studies.
• Assess the complex causes and the dynamics of contemporary political sociology.
• Critically evaluate competing approaches and practical methods.
• 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
Assignment 1 % 0
Attendance 13 % 0
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
16
% 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 1 5 5
Presentation 10 2 20
Mid-terms 1 15 15
Final examination 1 20 20
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 have acquired a familiarity with major features of contemporary societies that are relevant to politics, especially for developed democracies. (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated)
2 Demonstrate competency in the basic approaches and perspectives in evaluating various theoretical approaches. Explores several issues, such as power, state, politics of social institutions and social relations such as political economy, education, marriage and family, health care, civil liberties, political participation, and globalization. Have a basic understanding of sociological theories of the state; (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO3/PY3: Be Updated, PLO5/PY5: Independent Studying),
3 Distinguish between various types of theories. Creates typology of issues of political participation, social movements, political culture, power and state. Knows the framework of studying methods of political sociology in great detail. Discuss the ideas in a group/team structure by taking responsibility and with respect to other ideas and cultures (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories,
4 Acquire an understanding of recent social and political science explanations of political processes and events. Acquire, more generally, a grasp of the competing approaches in the field. (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO7/PY7: Social Communication, PLO8/PY8: Be able to construct intercultural relations),
5 Demonstrate competency in the basic approaches and perspectives in global politics, understanding the relationship between theory and politics of everyday life. Analyze the diversity of worldviews and theoretical assumptions and develop sociological explanations of political behavior. Be able to relate this theoretical understanding to empirical data and analyses for various states; (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO7/PY7: Social Communication, PLO8/PY8: Be able to construct intercultural relations),
6 Distinguish between alternative models of analysis as well as contemporary theoretical perspectives in political sociology. Create typology of alternative models of analysis and ethical standards. Apply sociological principles to make sense of current world events and to contribute to social debates. Comprehend different opportunities to influence political decisions by average citizens. (PLO1/PY1: Basic concepts and theories, PLO2/PY2: Research Methods, PLO3/PY3: Be updated, PLO4/PY4: Interdisciplinary Study, PLO5/PY5: Independent Studying, PLO6/PY6 Taking Responsibility, PLO10/PY10 Ethics).

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Welcome; Course Procedures and Methodology; Introduction
2 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi: Kavramlar, Tanımlar, Yaklaşımlar (İstanbul: Bağlam Yayıncılık, 2008), pp. 11-18.
3 SİYASET, HÜKÜMET VE DEVLET Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, pp. 19-34.
4 AUTHORITY AND LEGITIMACY Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 35-68.
5 RELATIVITY IN POLITICS AND ITS RELATIVE AUTONOMY Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 69-88.
6 REDISCOVERING POLITICS Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 89-110
7 ELITE THEORY AND POLITICS Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 111-130.
8 MID TERM EXAM
9 POLITICS AND GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 131-152.
10 SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF POLITICS Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 153-174.
11 HISTORICAL SOCIOLOGY: MARXIST TRADITION Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 175-202.
12 STATE AND POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 203-224.
13 OBJECTIVITY DEBATE IN POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 225-242.
14 MODERNITY AND POSTMODERNISM Nur Vergin, Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, ss. 283-313. Songül Sallan ve Songül Bolbeyi, Postmodernizm ve Modernizm İkilemi, https://dspace.ankara.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12575/60382/13295.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
15 STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
16 FINAL EXAM

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

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