IR 202 International Relations TheoryMEF UniversityDegree Programs Business AdministrationGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Business Administration
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Econ., Admin. and Social Sciences
Course Code IR 202
Course Title in English International Relations Theory
Course Title in Turkish International Relations Theory
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Intermediate
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: 0 Lab: 0 Other: 0
Estimated Student Workload 128 hours per semester
Number of Credits 5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge None
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only undergraduate students
Overall Educational Objective To learn the principal theoretical approaches to International Relations.
Course Description IR 202 studies the main theoretical approaches to International Relations (IR). Topics include realism and its variants as well as liberal philosophy and more modern liberal theories ranging from regime theory, theories of interdependence, neo-liberal institutionalism to democratic peace theory. Economic structuralism, constructivism, the English School, critical theory and postmodernism are studied in the second half of the course.
Course Description in Turkish

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) Identify and describe the main arguments of the principal theories of International Relations.
2) Differentiate the various theories of International Relations in terms of their explanations regarding the nature of the international system and IR.
3) Critically appraise the key texts that have shaped the development of international relations theory.
4) Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each theoretical approach in international relations.
5) Apply different theoretical approaches to the analysis of events in international relations.
6) Evaluate international relations theories from a scientific perspective.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6
1) Has a broad foundation and intellectual awareness with exposure to mathematics, history, economics, and social sciences
2) Demonstrates knowledge and skills in different functional areas of business (accounting, finance, operations, marketing, strategy, and organization) and an understanding of their interactions within various industry sectors
3) Applies theoretical knowledge as well as creative, analytical, and critical thinking to manage complex technical or professional activities or projects
4) Exhibits an understanding of global, environmental, economic, legal, and regulatory contexts for business sustainability
5) Demonstrates individual and professional ethical behavior and social responsibility
6) Demonstrates responsiveness to ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity values and issues
7) Uses written and spoken English effectively (at least CEFR B2 level) to communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions
8) Demonstrates skills in data and information acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and reporting
9) Displays computer proficiency to support problem solving and decision-making
10) Demonstrates teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills
11) Displays learning skills necessary for further study with a high degree of autonomy

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Has a broad foundation and intellectual awareness with exposure to mathematics, history, economics, and social sciences N
2) Demonstrates knowledge and skills in different functional areas of business (accounting, finance, operations, marketing, strategy, and organization) and an understanding of their interactions within various industry sectors N
3) Applies theoretical knowledge as well as creative, analytical, and critical thinking to manage complex technical or professional activities or projects N
4) Exhibits an understanding of global, environmental, economic, legal, and regulatory contexts for business sustainability N
5) Demonstrates individual and professional ethical behavior and social responsibility N
6) Demonstrates responsiveness to ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity values and issues N
7) Uses written and spoken English effectively (at least CEFR B2 level) to communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions N
8) Demonstrates skills in data and information acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and reporting N
9) Displays computer proficiency to support problem solving and decision-making N
10) Demonstrates teamwork, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills N
11) Displays learning skills necessary for further study with a high degree of autonomy N
Prepared by and Date BEKEN SAATÇİOĞLU , January 2024
Course Coordinator BEKEN SAATÇİOĞLU
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Prof. Dr. BEKEN SAATÇİOĞLU

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Course Introduction
2) Chapter 1, Thinking about IR Theory (p. 1-37).
3) Chapter 2, Realism: The State and Balance of Power (p. 37-52, p. 81-91).
4) Chapter 2, Realism: The State and Balance of Power (p. 52-80), “Explaining War: The Levels of Analysis” (p. 94-107), “Hard and Soft Power in American Foreign Policy” (p. 107-115).
5) Chapter 3, Liberalism: Interdependence and Global Governance (p. 127-150).
6) Chapter 3, Liberalism: Interdependence and Global Governance (p. 150-164), “Producing Security” (p. 165-172).
7) Chapter 4, “Economic Structuralism: Global Capitalism and Postcolonialism” (p. 187-216), “The Modern World-System as a Capitalist World-Economy” (p. 225-231).
8) Midterm
9) Chapter 7, “Constructivist Understandings” (p. 313-344).
10) Chapter 7, “Constructing Norms of Humanitarian Intervention” (p. 345-352); Jeffrey Checkel “Why Comply? Social Learning and European Identity Change”, International Organization, vol. 55 no. 3, 2001, p. 553-588.
11) Chapter 5, “The English School: International Society and Grotian Rationalism” (p. 237-267).
12) Chapter 6, “Positivism, Critical Theory, and Postmodern Understandings” (p. 274-306).
13) Chapter 8, “Feminist Understandings in IR Theory” (p. 360- 385).
14) Conclusion and review
15) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended Readings• Textbook: Paul R. Viotti and Mark V. Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Pearson New International Edition, Fifth Edition (Pearson, 2014). • Jeffrey Checkel “Why Comply? Social Learning and European Identity Change”, International Organization, vol. 55 no. 3, 2001, p. 553-588.
Teaching MethodsLectures, class discussion, group work, course videos.
Homework and ProjectsNone.
Laboratory WorkNone.
Computer UseYes.
Other ActivitiesNone.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 10
Quiz(zes) 4 % 20
Midterm(s) 1 % 30
Final Examination 1 % 40
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration beken.saatcioglu@mef.edu.tr
02123953678
Rules for attendance: Attendance is not mandatory, though highly necessary. Students are not graded based on class attendance alone but they are expected to attend regularly and are graded based on class participation. Missing a quiz: Missed quizzes cannot be made up. Missing a midterm: All students must take the midterm on the scheduled date. If they miss the exam due to illness, they must provide valid documentation in the form of an official doctor’s report. Missing a final: Faculty regulations. A reminder of proper classroom behavior, code of student conduct: YÖK Regulations Statement on plagiarism: YÖK Regulations (http://3fcampus.mef.edu.tr/uploads/cms/webadmin.mef.edu.tr/4833_2.pdf ) Plagiarism and cheating will be treated according to the university’s regulations. Students caught cheating and plagiarizing will be reported to the Dean and risk facing further disciplinary action.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 2 56
Quiz(zes) 4 4 0.5 18
Midterm(s) 1 24 2 26
Final Examination 1 28 2 30
Total Workload 130
Total Workload/25 5.2
ECTS 5