IR 438 Theories of WarMEF UniversityDegree Programs Computer EngineeringGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Computer Engineering
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 438
Course Title in English Theories of War
Course Title in Turkish Theories of War
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Intermediate
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Hours Recitation: None Lab: None Other: 1 Hour
Estimated Student Workload 135 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 Examining the relation between Politics and War.
Course Description ‘War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied’, as Sun Tzu said. War, as an intrinsically political phenomenon, has been absolutely central issue of the Political Science. Scholars from a wide range of disciplines have progressed various approaches and perspectives in the studies of war to figure out, resolve and analyse its causes and ways to prevent with a great hope. The main focus-point, in this course, is to find out which theories and methodologies are most useful for identifying and validating the causes of war, what criteria are more convenient to make a comparison among prominent theories, and whether it is possible to make a generalisation as to war as a notion, concept and phenomenon regarding in its historical context. The course is based on chronological expression, historical data analysis and comparative evaluation on methodological approaches on the basis of main stream theories’ offer in study of war. In doing so, it aims to provide comprehensive knowledge about the idealism and realism debate as well as the great discussion on traditionalist and behaviouralist point of view, which are the main starting point of the discipline. The course is designed as a broad-based study of warfare from the age of limited war -including classical terms briefly- to present.
Course Description in Turkish

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) Ascertaining different perspectives on analysing warfare.
2) Developing an individual capability to reach a point of view on study of war.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2
1) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2) An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4) An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5) An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics N
2) An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors N
3) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences N
4) An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts H Exam
5) An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives N
6) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions N
7) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. N
Prepared by and Date BARIŞ ÇAĞLAR , January 2024
Course Coordinator BARIŞ ÇAĞLAR
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Week 1: Introduction to the Thoughts on Nature of War and Strategical Thinking
2) Conceptualisation of War and Level of Analysis
3) Realist Theories on War
4) Realist Theories on War continued
5) Hegemonic Theories
6) Hegemonic Theories continued
7) Interdependence Theories on War
8) Democracy, Institutionalism and War
9) Midterm Examination
10) Constructivist Theories on War
11) Variations at War in the Positivistic View
12) Variations at War in the Positivistic View
13) International Crises Approach
14) Decision Making Model
Required/Recommended ReadingsReadings are posted on the Blackboard.
Teaching MethodsFlipped classroom discussions and Lecture
Homework and ProjectsStudents are expected to submit their small-scale homeworks in picked weeks.
Laboratory WorkNone
Computer UseNone
Other ActivitiesIn-class participation is graded as 10% of the overall course grade.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 10
Homework Assignments 1 % 20
Midterm(s) 1 % 30
Final Examination 1 % 40
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration caglarb@mef.edu.tr

The course is instructed by Selmin Seda Coşkun. This form is managed by Asst. Prof. Barış Çağlar. 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 2 3 2 98
Homework Assignments 1 5 2 7
Midterm(s) 1 10 2 12
Final Examination 1 16 2 18
Total Workload 135
Total Workload/25 5.4
ECTS 5