Course Information

Semester	Course Unit Code	Course Unit Title	T+P+L	Credit	Number of ECTS Credits	Last Updated Date
4	PSIR222	International Relations Theory	3+0+0	3	6	21.04.2026

Course Details

Language of Instruction	English
Level of Course Unit	Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program	Political Science and İnternational Relations (English)
Type of Program	Formal Education
Type of Course Unit	Compulsory
Course Delivery Method	Face To Face
Objectives of the Course	This course has two principle aims: (a) to introduce a wide range of theories within the discipline of International Relations (IR); and (b) to show how these theories can be applied to real-world events or issues.
Course Content	This course provides a foundational entry point to International Relations theory. It covers the mainstream theories that are commonly taught in undergraduate programs, such as realism and liberalism. The course then dwells on emerging approaches and offers wider perspectives. Each week sets out the basics of a theory whilst also applying it to a real-world event or issue. It helps students to understand not only what theories are, but also why they matter.
Course Methods and Techniques	Lecture, class discussion, and individual study.
Prerequisites and co-requisities	None
Course Coordinator	None
Name of Lecturers	Prof.Dr. Ali Tekin ali.tekin@gedik.edu.tr
Assistants	None
Work Placement(s)	No

Recommended or Required Reading

Resources

Main Textbook: S. McGlinchey, R. Walters and C. Scheinpflug, International Relations Theory. Open access, 2017 edition.
Recommended: G. Sorenson, (M. Moller) & R. Jackson, Introduction to International Relations. Oxford: OUP, any recent edition.

Course Category

Social Sciences

%100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria

In-Term Studies	Quantity	Percentage
Mid-terms	1	% 40
Attendance	14	% 20
Final examination	1	% 40
Total	16	% 100

ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload

Activities	Quantity	Duration	Total Work Load
Course Duration	14	3	42
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud	15	5	75
Mid-terms	1	15	15
Final examination	1	25	25
Total Work Load			Number of ECTS Credits 6 157

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

No	Learning Outcomes
1	Students will be able to critically engage with both mainstream and contemporary IR theories. This includes familiarization with the foundations of these theories, as well as the capability to assess the primary divergences and convergences among them.
2	As the course offers a ‘levels of analysis’ methodology as a frame of reference, students are expected to critically evaluate distinct international political developments from various theoretical perspectives in a structured manner.
3	Even though this course is designed as a lecture-based class, interactive in-class discussions are highly encouraged by the lecturer. In-class discussions aim to enhance students’ in-depth assessment of IR theorizing and develop communication skills and analytical thinking capabilities.
4	Students are expected to connect and apply theoretical knowledge to contemporary international political issues.
5	Students will acquire adequate theoretical knowledge to evaluate the critical approaches to the theories studied.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Topics	Materials
1	Introduction to IR theories	Textbook, Introduction.
2	IR theory and foreign policy	Jackson, Moller and Sorensen, Chapter 10.
3	Realism ve contemporary perspectives on realism	Textbook, Chapters 1 & 9.
4	Liberalism	Textbook, Chapter 2.
5	The English School approach	Textbook, Chapter 3.
6	Constructivism	Textbook, Chapter 4
7	Marxism	Textbook, Chapter 5.
8	Midterm
9	Critical theory and critical geography	Textbook, Chapter 6 & 15.
10	Post-structuralism	Textbook, Chapter 7.
11	Feminism and green theory	Textbook, Chapter 8 & 11.
12	Post-colonialism	Textbook, Chapter 9.
13	Global South perspectives	Textbook, Chapter 17.
14	Global IR?	Textbook, Chapter 10.

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

	P1	P2	P3	P7	P8	P10
C1	5				3
C2		4
C3			4	3	4	4
C4			3
C5	4				3	4

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https://obs.gedik.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=158503&curProgID=5720&lang=en