Information Package / Course Catalogue
| 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 424 | |||||
| Course Title in English | Advanced International Relations Theory | |||||
| Course Title in Turkish | Advanced International Relations Theory | |||||
| Language of Instruction | EN | |||||
| Type of Course | Flipped Classroom | |||||
| Level of Course | Advanced | |||||
| Semester | Spring | |||||
| Contact Hours per Week |
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| Estimated Student Workload | 128 hours per semester | |||||
| Number of Credits | 5 ECTS | |||||
| Grading Mode | Standard Letter Grade | |||||
| Pre-requisites | None | |||||
| Expected Prior Knowledge | Basic knowledge of IR theory | |||||
| Co-requisites | None | |||||
| Registration Restrictions | Only undergraduate students | |||||
| Overall Educational Objective | To gain an advanced knowledge of the principal theoretical approaches to International Relations. | |||||
| Course Description | This course is an advanced theory course and requires basic knowledge of International Relations (IR) theories. It provides a critical exploration of the key debates and approaches in contemporary IR theory. It offers a thorough and comparative analysis of the major paradigms in IR theory, namely, classical realism, neorealism and its variants, neoliberal institutionalism, regime theory, approaches theorizing domestic-international linkages, democratic peace theory and constructivist perspectives. The course aims to provide the students with an advanced and in-depth knowledge of IR theories, thus preparing them for graduate study in IR. | |||||
| Course Description in Turkish |
Course Learning Outcomes and CompetencesUpon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:1) Identify the major theoretical debates in the field of international relations. 2) Apply theories and concepts to contemporary political developments/events in IR. 3) Compare and contrast IR theories based on their explanations of IR and states. 4) Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the original scholarly literature offered by IR theorists. 5) Demonstrate the ability to think theoretically. 6) Demonstrate the capacity to critically evaluate theories. |
| Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | N | |
| 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 |
| 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. | H | Exam |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 | S | Exam |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) | Introduction and course overview |
| 2) | Thinking about IR Theory |
| 3) | Classical Realism |
| 4) | Structural and Defensive Realisms |
| 5) | Offensive Realism |
| 6) | Realism and Its Critics |
| 7) | Neoliberal Institutionalism and Cooperation under Anarchy |
| 8) | Neoliberal Institutionalism and Its Critics John Mearsheimer (1994/1995) “The False Promise of International Institutions”, International Security, 19 (3): 5–49. Robert Keohane & Lisa Martin (1995) “The Promise of Institutionalist Theory”, International Security, 20(1): 39-51. *******Midterm Exam in the Second Half of Class********** |
| 9) | Regime Theory |
| 10) | Domestic Politics and International Outcomes: Two-level games |
| 11) | Second-Image Reversed: International Influences on Domestic Politics |
| 12) | The Democratic Peace Theory |
| 13) | Constructivist and Sociological Approaches |
| 14) | Norms and Compliance in International Relations |
| 15) | Final Examination Period |
| Required/Recommended Readings | Stephen M. Walt (1998) “One World, Many Theories”, Foreign Policy, 110: 29-46. E.H. Carr (1964) The Twenty Years Crisis, (New York: Harper and Row), pp. 22-88. Hans Morgenthau (1993) “Six Principles of Realism”, Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, pp. 4-15. Kenneth Waltz (1979) Theory of International Politics (Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press): Chapter 1 “Laws and Theories” (pp. 1-18) Chapter 3 “Systemic Approaches and Theories” (pp. 38-59) Chapter 4 “Reductionist and Systemic Theories” (pp. 60-78) Chapter 5 “Political Structures” (pp. 79-101) John J. Mearsheimer (2001) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (New York: Norton): Chapter 1 “Introduction” Chapter 2 “Anarchy and the Struggle for Power” Chapter 10 “Great Power Politics in the Twenty-First Century” Jeffrey Legro and Andrew Moravcsik (1999) “Is Anybody Still a Realist?”, International Security, 24 (2): 5–55. Evan Montgomery (2006) “Breaking Out of the Security Dilemma: Realism, Reassurance, and the Problem of Uncertainty”, International Security, 31(2): 151-185. Robert Keohane (1984) After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in World Political Economy (Princeton: Princeton University Press): Part 1 “Questions and Concepts” (p. 5-31) “Cooperation and International Regimes” (p. 49-65) “A Functional Theory of International Regimes” (p. 85-110) John Mearsheimer (1994/1995) “The False Promise of International Institutions”, International Security, 19 (3): 5–49. Robert Keohane & Lisa Martin (1995) “The Promise of Institutionalist Theory”, International Security, 20(1): 39-51. Robert O. Keohane (1982) “The Demand for International Regimes”, International Organization, 36(2): 325–355. Stephen Krasner (1982) “Regimes and limits of realism: regimes as autonomous variables”, International Organization, 36 (2): 497-510. Domestic Politics and International Outcomes: Two-level games Robert D. Putnam (1988) “Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two–Level Games”, International Organization, 42 (3): 427–460. Peter Gourevitch (1986) Politics in Hard Times: Comparative Responses to International Economic Crises (Ithaca: Cornell University Press), Chapter 1 “The Politics of Economic Policy”, Chapter 2 “Explaining Policy Choices”. Robert Keohane & Helen Milner (eds.) (1996) Internationalization and Domestic Politics (New York: Cambridge University Press), Chapter 1 “Internationalization and Domestic Politics: An Introduction” (pp. 3-24). Michael Doyle (1986) “Liberalism and World Politics”, American Political Science Review, 80 (4): 1151–1169. John M. Owen IV (1997) Liberal Peace, Liberal War, (Ithaca: Cornell University Press), Part 1 “Why Liberal Peace and Liberal War” (pp. 3-22). Alexander Wendt (1992) “Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics”, International Organization, 46 (2): 391-425. Martha Finnemore (2004) “International Organizations as Teachers of Norms”, International Organization, 47(4): 565-598. Frank Schimmelfennig (2001) “The Community Trap: Liberal Norms, Rhetorical Action, and the Eastern Enlargement of the European Union”, International Organization, 55(1): 47–80. Jeffrey Checkel (2001) “Why Comply? Social Learning and European Identity Change”, International Organization, 55(3): 553-588. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lectures, class discussion, group work, course videos | ||||||||||||||||||
| Homework and Projects | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Laboratory Work | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Computer Use | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other Activities | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Assessment Methods |
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| Course Administration |
beken.saatcioglu@mef.edu.tr 02123953678 • Students are not graded based on class attendance alone but they are expected to attend regularly and are graded based on class participation. • Missed quizzes cannot be made up. • All students must take the midterm and final exams on the scheduled dates. If they miss an exam due to illness, they must provide valid documentation in the form of an official doctor’s report. • Students are expected to show full respect vis-à-vis the professor and fellow students. Students who act inappropriately in the classroom on a consistent basis will be asked to leave. • Cheating and plagiarism will result in an automatic F in the class. Students caught cheating and plagiarizing will be reported to the Dean and risk facing further disciplinary action. Any improper behavior, academic dishonesty or plagiarism is subject to the YÖK Disciplinary Regulation. -- |
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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 | 6 | 0.5 | 26 | |||
| Midterm(s) | 1 | 16 | 2 | 18 | |||
| Final Examination | 1 | 28 | 2 | 30 | |||
| Total Workload | 130 | ||||||
| Total Workload/25 | 5.2 | ||||||
| ECTS | 5 | ||||||