IR 101 Introduction to International Relations MEF 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 IR 101
Course Title in English Introduction to International Relations
Course Title in Turkish Introduction to International Relations
Language of Instruction
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Hours Recitation: None Lab: None Other: None
Estimated Student Workload 153 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 comprehend the basic concepts, processes and theories of International Relations and to be able to give educated examples.
Course Description The primary objective of the course is to help crystallize the basic concepts and theories of International Relations for attendant students. The latter is realized by intriguing and imbuing the skill to offer theory-laden real-world examples whilst paving the way to appraise inter-state policies and international outcomes in an educated manner. Fundamental concepts such as power, conflict, regular and irregular warfare, authority, international anarchy as opposed to intra-state hierarchy, inter-state cooperation based on institutions, regimes, reciprocity and identity; the evolution of international law, the use of force by nation-state militaries, and last but not least, the reasons for the existence of definitional debates about political violence and terrorism, and the reasons for their politicization are first introduced, and then discussed within and among in-class groups as per the Flipped Classroom. Theoretical tenets, and practical ways and means of making foreign policy alongside the Realist and Liberal theories on inter-state and global relations, including the increasing salience of sovereignty-free non-state actors in the wake of the Cold War are studied to shed light upon the globalization of politics both at home and abroad.
Course Description in Turkish

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) know the basic facts and developments in the field
2) comprehend the basic concepts
3) distinguish between oft-applied theories of International Relations.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3
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 H Exam
3) Ability to analyze the fundamental theories in the field Political Science and International Relations and to assess their reflections into practice S Exam
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 Participation
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 N
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 N
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 Participation
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 N
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 H Participation
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 N
Prepared by and Date BARIŞ ÇAĞLAR , January 2024
Course Coordinator BARIŞ ÇAĞLAR
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Asst. Prof. Dr. BARIŞ ÇAĞLAR

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) IR as a Field of Study: Actors and International System
2) Realist Theories
3) Liberal Theories
4) Foreign Policy Making
5) International Conflict: Types of War and Conflict of Ideas
6) Military Force and Terrorism
7) International Organizations, Law and Human Rights
8) International Trade
9) Global Finance
10) International Integration
11) Environment and Population
12) The North-South Gap
13) International Development
14) Course Overview
Required/Recommended ReadingsThis course is managed via congruent Pearson Online course e-texts, various materials and videos that are all posted and available to students on the Blackboard. Required Coursebook: Pevehouse and Goldstein eds. International Relations, Eleventh edition. Boston: Pearson, 2017.
Teaching MethodsFlipped Classroom mode of guidance paves the students to figure out basic concepts on their own alongside the Pearson Online module is appropriated through the Blackboard.
Homework and ProjectsOn basic IR concepts, processes, theories and institutions
Laboratory WorkNone
Computer UseNone
Other ActivitiesNone
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 30
Quiz(zes) 3 % 30
Midterm(s) 1 % 40
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration caglarb@mef.edu.tr
None
Instructor Office Location: 5th Floor - Room No. 529 Office hours: Mondays, any hour of the day (09:00-17:00) Email address: baris.caglar@mef.edu.tr 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 3 3 2 112
Quiz(zes) 3 7 1 24
Midterm(s) 1 15 2 17
Total Workload 153
Total Workload/25 6.1
ECTS 6