POLS 101 Introduction to Political ScienceMEF UniversityDegree Programs Political Science and International RelationsGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Political Science and International Relations
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 POLS 101
Course Title in English Introduction to Political Science
Course Title in Turkish Introduction to Political Science
Language of Instruction
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 159 hours per semester
Number of Credits 6 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 to apply analytical tools to understand the theories, empirical research and policy experiences in political science.
Course Description This course aims to introduce the basic analytical tools to examine major theories, concepts and approaches to Political Science. The course offers a broad survey of some of the major fields and topic areas in Political Science including comparative politics, international relations, political economy and political theory. It first introduces the basic terminologies and central concepts to analyze political processes, then continues with the comparison of different political ideologies, forms of government, and the role of the individual and the state. By acquainting students with the general theoretical framework in Political Science, the course will help students to obtain a better empirical grasp of current political debates.
Course Description in Turkish Bu dersin amacı siyaset biliminde var olan temel teorilerin, kavramların ve yaklaşımların tanıtılmasıdır. Ders Siyaset Bilimi’nin karşılaştırmalı siyaset, uluslararası ilişkiler, siyasal iktisat ve siyasal kuram gibi alt dallarının geniş bir incelemesini sunacaktır. İlk olarak siyasal süreçleri analiz etmek için kullanılan temel terminoloji ve kavramlar açıklanacak, ardından farklı politik ideolojiler, hükümet biçimleri, birey ve devletin rolü incelenecektir. Ders öğrencileri Siyaset Bilimi alanındaki genel teorik çerçeveyle tanıştırarak öğrencilerin mevcut siyasi tartışmaları kavramlaştırmalarında yardımcı olacaktır

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand major debates on key theories, arguments and issues in Political Science
2) identify and differentiate the various fields of Political Science
3) demonstrate a better empirical grasp of current political debates
4) read and analyse political problems, systems, ideologies and processes.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4
1) Adequate knowledge of political history necessary to comprehend and effectively evaluate contemporary Political Science and International Relations issues.
2) Understanding of the fundamental concepts that exist in the fields of social and behavioral sciences as well as the correlation between these concepts
3) Ability to analyze the fundamental theories in the field Political Science and International Relations and to assess their reflections into practice
4) Ability to critically discuss different aspects of theories and developments in Political Science and International Relations both individually and in the course of group work during classroom discussions.
5) Ability to conduct research independently, or with a team, about the developments taking place in the international arena, make foreign policy analyses, develop research-based conflict resolution models, and prepare comprehensive reports using computers and relevant software
6) Ability to take decisions as well as to implement these decisions by using the knowledge about the field and the skills that have been acquired during the undergraduate studies
7) Ability to recognize the relations between scientific thought and ethical behavior; pay attention to being tolerant and properly defend different ideas, ideologies and belief systems
8) Ability to work in international institutions and multicultural environments, with the help of the knowledge on different cultures, societies, political systems as well as linguistic skills acquired during the undergraduate studies
9) Ability to display language skills in English at minimum B2 level enough for debating with colleagues on issues of Political Science and International Relations, and also display language skills in a second foreign language at minimum A2 level enough for communicating in daily life
10) Ability to pursue lifelong learning as well as perform advanced/graduate studies in the field Political Science and International Relations and other social sciences disciplines in academic institutions at home and abroad

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Adequate knowledge of political history necessary to comprehend and effectively evaluate contemporary Political Science and International Relations issues. H Exam
2) Understanding of the fundamental concepts that exist in the fields of social and behavioral sciences as well as the correlation between these concepts S Exam
3) Ability to analyze the fundamental theories in the field Political Science and International Relations and to assess their reflections into practice H Exam,HW
4) Ability to critically discuss different aspects of theories and developments in Political Science and International Relations both individually and in the course of group work during classroom discussions. S Exam,HW
5) Ability to conduct research independently, or with a team, about the developments taking place in the international arena, make foreign policy analyses, develop research-based conflict resolution models, and prepare comprehensive reports using computers and relevant software S HW
6) Ability to take decisions as well as to implement these decisions by using the knowledge about the field and the skills that have been acquired during the undergraduate studies S Exam,HW
7) Ability to recognize the relations between scientific thought and ethical behavior; pay attention to being tolerant and properly defend different ideas, ideologies and belief systems H Exam
8) Ability to work in international institutions and multicultural environments, with the help of the knowledge on different cultures, societies, political systems as well as linguistic skills acquired during the undergraduate studies S Exam,HW
9) Ability to display language skills in English at minimum B2 level enough for debating with colleagues on issues of Political Science and International Relations, and also display language skills in a second foreign language at minimum A2 level enough for communicating in daily life S Exam,HW
10) Ability to pursue lifelong learning as well as perform advanced/graduate studies in the field Political Science and International Relations and other social sciences disciplines in academic institutions at home and abroad H Exam,HW
Prepared by and Date EVRİM GÖRMÜŞ , December 2023
Course Coordinator EVRİM GÖRMÜŞ
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Assoc. Prof. Dr. EVRİM GÖRMÜŞ

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) What is Politics
2) Political Ideologies
3) States
4) Government and Regimes
5) Political Culture
6) Public Opinion
7) Midterm
8) Interest Groups
9) Parties and Elections
10) Political Institutions
11) Political Economy
12) Violence and Revolutions
13) International Relations
14) Conclusion &Review
Required/Recommended ReadingsMichael Roskin et al (2010) Political Science: An Introduction, 12th Edition, Pearson.
Teaching MethodsFlipped classroom method in tandem with professor lecture presentations with intense student participation and dynamic multi-media sessions.
Homework and ProjectsEach student is required to complete weekly blackboard assignments on time.
Laboratory Worknone
Computer Use
Other Activities
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 1 % 10
Homework Assignments 12 % 10
Presentation 1 % 20
Midterm(s) 1 % 30
Final Examination 1 % 30
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration gormuse@mef.edu.tr
02123953600
Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

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 3 1 84
Presentations / Seminar 1 16 3 19
Homework Assignments 12 1 1 24
Midterm(s) 1 12 2 14
Final Examination 1 16 2 18
Total Workload 159
Total Workload/25 6.4
ECTS 6