Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS Credits
3PSIR221Introduction To International Relations3+0+036

Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and İnternational Relations (English)
Mode of Delivery Face to Face
Type of Course Unit Compulsory
Objectives of the Course This course has two primary objectives:
(1) To provide undergraduate students with a solid theoretical background.
(2) To equip students with the analytical skills necessary to be able to discuss main debates within the theoretical domain of International Relations.
Course Content Introduction to International Relations (PSIR221) starts with the twentieth-century history of International Relations (IR) and its relevance to the emergence of the IR discipline. In that, the primary focus is on World War I, World War II and the Cold War with specific emphasis on level of analysis. Then the course provides an in-depth study of mainstream IR theories of Realism, Liberalism and Constructivism with variants included.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture, in-class discussions with the lecturer’s moderation.
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Instructor Sibel Karabel
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (2017). The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. 7th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Robert Jackson, Georg Sorensen and Jorgen Moller (2022). Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches, 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Paul R. Viotti and Mark V. Kauppi (2010). International Relations Theory, 4th edition. New York and London: Pearson. Richard Devetak, Jim George and Sarah Percy (2017). An Introduction to International Relations, 3 rd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Joseph S. Nye and David A. Welch (2017). Understanding global conflict and cooperation: an introduction to Theory and history, New Jersey: Pearson.







Course Category
Mathematics and Basic Sciences %0
Engineering %0
Engineering Design %0
Social Sciences %100
Education %0
Science %0
Health %0
Field %0

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 14 5 70
Mid-terms 1 15 15
Final examination 1 25 25
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 6 152

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Students will be able to critically engage with mainstream IR theories- Realism, Liberalism and Constructivism-. This includes familiarization with main arguments 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 Through written and spoken communication students will be able to discuss contemporary history of IR analytically.
4 Students are expected to connect and apply theoretical knowledge to contemporary global political issues.
5 Students will acquire adequate theoretical knowledge to evaluate the critical approaches to the theories studied.


Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Introduction to the discipline of International Relations (IR): Main concepts and terminology Required readings: (Viotti & Kauppi: 24-34); (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 6-14)
2 Methodological Outlook of the Course: Traditional and Modern Research Approaches. Levels of Analysis: Individual, State and System levels Required readings: (Viotti & Kauppi: 25-44); (Nye & Welch: 55-65)
3 Studying contemporary history of IR from the levels of analysis: World War I Required readings: (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 55-61); (Nye &Welch: 96-113) Recommended movie: All Quiet on Western Front (2003)
4 Studying contemporary history of IR from the levels of analysis: World War II Required readings: (Nye & Welch: 116-144)
5 Studying contemporary history of IR from the levels of analysis: World War II Required readings: (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 193-199); (Jackson, Sorensen & Moller: 192-201).
6 Studying contemporary history of IR from the levels of analysis: Cold War Required readings: (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 60-68); Supplementary videos: Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, https://www.c-span.org/video/?191439-101/winston-churchill-iron-curtain-speech Recommended movie: Thirteen Days (2000)
7 Studying contemporary history of IR from the levels of analysis: Cold War Required readings: (Nye & Welch: 146-173) Supplementary videos: World History Documentary, “Cold War in Space: The Race to the Moon”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfLLfa-OW60 Recommended movie: Bridge of Spies (2015)
8 General Overview of Mainstream IR Theories: Grand debates in IR Required readings: (Jackson, Sorensen & Moller: 34-58); (Devetak & George & Percy: 96-102)
9 Realism: Main arguments, variants, critiques Required readings: (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 131-135)
10 Classical realism and Structural Realism: Leading figures, historical context and underlying discussions Required readings: (Jackson, Sorensen & Moller: 68-99; (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 135-141) Recommended movie: Lord of the Flies (Both American and British versions)
11 Liberalism in IR: Historical background, modern liberalism Required readings: (Devetak & George & Percy: 114-125)
12 Neoliberalism in the contemporary international relations Required readings: (Devetak & George & Percy: 126-139); (Jackson, Sorensen & Moller: 104-124) Recommended movie: Independence Day (1997)
13 Constructivism as an IR Theory Required readings: (Jackson, Sorensen & Moller: 221-229); (Viotti & Kauppi: 448-454) Recommended movie: Wag the Dog
14 Constructivism Required Readings: (Baylis, Smith & Owens: 193-205)


Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10
C1 5 4 3 4
C2 5 4 4
C3 5 4 4 4
C4 4 5 4
C5 4 3 4 3 5

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