SİYASAL BİLİMLER FAKÜLTESİ

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1. Department of International Relations (BSc):
2. Aim of Program

On completing the program, the students are expected to acquire competency in conceptual and historical information regarding international social and political phenomena, critical and analytical thinking, the development of oral communication, written, and research skills in English, an inter-disciplinary approach to both regional and global conflicts as well as conflict resolution strategies, and theoretical and practical capability for development of leadership, team-work, decision making, and problem solving skills.

1. Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Sciences degree in International Relations Employment Opportunities

1. Educational Objectives

Successful graduates of the programme will have the opportunity to seek employment in diplomatic areas, public institutions, and international organizations, private companies with international connections, media as well as universities and strategic research organizations.

1. Educational Methods

 Lecturers teach/explain the topics using audio &visual tools during  2/3 of course time, 1/3 of it is conducted as seminar style IAT interactive method principles.

 Research based activities such as; doing presentation and writing article related with course subject are executed by the students.

1. Graduation Requirements

 Students have to complete 120 credits,

 Students should be at least 2 CGPA or above,

 Students are required to do 30 days internship,

 Students must also pass from four non-credit courses related with Turkish History and Languages.

1. DESCRIPTION

Description of Courses (Department of International Relations) 

IRE102 - Introduction to International Relations  This course introduces students to the structures and processes of international politics and surveys the major global issues of our time - nations, categories, and principles of international relations. The course focuses on the functions of the modern nation-state system and the patterns of conflict and co-operation in contemporary international relations. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of how the international political system works and help them develop their own perspective on global issues.

IRE201 - Comparative Politics I: Issues and concepts in comparative politics, political socialization and culture; political recruitment and structure are reviewed. Interest groups and interest articulation as well as political parties, government and policy making are considered. The course also focuses on the politics, cultures, and political systems of the major European countries.

IRE204 - Comparative Politics II: This course deals with the history, culture administrative and political structure of various countries. The aim of this program is to enable the students to use the concepts of comparative politics in order to analyze the concrete political backgrounds of countries of different economic and political settings. Case studies such as England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, China and America

IRE206 - Third World Politics   This course examines important features of politics; economics, society and culture in developing nations and focuses on common problems associated with political modernization, economic development and social change in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Through comparative analysis, the course also attempts to develop generalizations about key problems and prospects in various regions of the developing world.

IRE208 - International Relations Theory  This course provides an analysis of the three important theoretical debates of international relations: Idealism / Realism, Traditionalism / Behaviorism and Realism/Neo-realism. The course also addresses the central assumptions and key concepts of various theories in international relations, with emphasis on concepts propositions and, the current critique.

IRE301 - International Organizations  This course focuses on the role played by international organizations in world politics. Most attention is given to international governmental organizations, such as the United Nations, the European Union, and other regional organizations. Non-governmental organizations from multinational corporations to the International Red Cross are discussed as well. The course investigates the extent to which all these organizations contribute to the development of a peaceful and just community of nations.

IRE302 - History & Politics OF the Balkans the course mainly concentrates on the effects of World War II on the politics and economics of the Balkans. The course also focuses on recent conflicts and developments in former Yugoslavia such as wars in Bosnia and Kosovo as well as the future EU prospects of the Western Balkan states.

IRE304 - The Caucasus & Central Asia    This course will cover the modern history of the countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia which obtained independence following the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991. These include the present states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in the Caucasus, and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Central Asia. The first part of the course will provide a historical background necessary to understand the problems of the post-Soviet period. The second part will analyze the radical transformations in the region following the collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequently will focus on major regional conflicts such as the Karabagh issue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the 2008 War between Georgia and Russia.

IRE305 - History & Politics of the Middle East  The course will focus on the formation of the modern Middle East, the legacy of the Ottoman Empire and the impact of colonialism, Arab nationalism, the ideological struggles, the oil politics, the power of stereotypes, tradition and modernization. The objectives of the course are to provide a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern politics with specific references to the region's economy, culture and society. Considering recent developments in the region, the course aims to study Middle Eastern politics within a broader context of international system, regional economic developments and bilateral relations among the regional countries, the Middle East and World Politics after 11 September and future prospects in the Palestinian-Israeli problem.

IRE308 - Global Peace & Security  In-depth study of issues related to global security of the XX-XXI century: proliferation of weapons  of  mass  destruction,  arms  control  and   disarmament,  international  terrorism,  regional  conflicts,  oil  and  energy problems in Politics, etc. The course will examine major trends, challenges and future prospects in the mentioned areas.

IRE309 – International Law   The nature and role of international law in the interaction of states. The basic terminology of international law. Problems of interpretation and enforcement. The relation between law and power; treaties and the legal basis of diplomacy, international organizations, international law and war, human rights under international law.

IRE312 - Foreign Policy Analysis This course is an introduction to ways of thinking critically about foreign policy analysis. It will examine some historical as well as current cases to question the statist approaches to foreign policy. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of foreign policy formulation by evaluating the role of different actors and organizations in the definition of national interests.

IRE403 - Turkish Diplomatic History & Foreign Politics  The course examines the central dilemmas and assumptions about Turkish foreign policy; past, present, and the near future. The course gives a very detailed analysis to the historical background such as foreign relations of the late Ottoman Empire and Republican Turkish Foreign Policy, as well as most contemporary and challenging issues of Turkish Foreign Policy including Turkey-European Union relations, Cyprus Problem, Human Rights and Kurdish issues.

IRE404 - European Union Studies  Background of the European Union: Europe before and after World War II. The political framework of the European Union. Economic integration of the European Union, the social framework of the European Union, the external relationship of the European Union. The Single European Act. European Union beyond Maastricht.

IRE405 - International Politics of Cyprus  This course studies the Cyprus problem, initiating from discussions regarding to history of Cyprus, the Ottoman Rule, the British Rule, Republic of Cyprus to analysis regarding to 1974 Turkish Peace Operation and afterwards. The course also focuses on relatively contemporary issues including the establishment of the TRNC, the Annan Plan and the future while examining possible solutions to it and looks at the role of the international powers in finding a solution.

IRE408 - Conflict Studies & Dispute Settlement This course looks at the economic/cultural/political and religious aspects of conflict and examines some theories, which prescribe solutions to these problems. The purpose of the course is to assist students in clarifying their own substantive views on conflict studies and dispute settlement. Specifically, the students will have broader and detailed knowledge about Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Cyprus problem, Human Rights issues and Kurdish Problem. The students are advised to take this course in their graduating year.

IRE411 - Post Cold War International Relations This course is a survey of current developments, issues, and problem areas of international relations in the post-Cold War era. The specific attention is given to the changing concept of security, new security agenda, and the emergence of complex issues, rise of ethnic conflicts, and the post 9/11.

IRE412 - US Foreign Policy This course is a good application of international relations theories into real life. Students will be able to see how theory is and has been applied to real life by the only super-power of our time. How has the international system changed, and what are the effects of this on states today? What role did the US play on this change? These questions will be answered.

IRE415 – Turkey-EU Relations This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of political, economic and security issues that influence relations between Turkey and the EU.  The course will analyze major breakthroughs in Turkey-EU relations with a particular emphasis on the role of European institutions, notably the European Commission and the Council, on Turkey’s relations with the EU. Major issues regarding Turkey’s EU candidacy and future membership will also be examined.

IRE419 – Research Methods This course aims to set the basics for students to cultivate methodological and analytical skills to design and conduct a research in the field of political science. Firstly students are provides with an awareness of the various traditions and approaches of political science research. Secondly they explore different research methods and their applicability. The course also enables student by setting the necessary foundation to progress to more advance texts in the areas of qualitative and quantitative research methods. 

IRE420 - GRADUATİON PROJECT This project aims to give the students an opportunity to conduct a small scale research on the study of International Relations. This will involve critically analyzing a particular case and using a theoretical framework to investigate an aspect of the case more fully.

IRE421 – Greek-Turkish Relations This course will firstly compare and contrast the geographical and historical backgrounds of Turkey & Greek while highlighting their political development, political economy and institutional arrangements.  Subsequently we will shift our attention to areas of friction between the two countries, most notably the Cyprus Problem and the disputes over the Aegean Sea, and a discussion of the reasons why these problems have become so entrenched.  The course will also analyze the impact of these problems on Turkey’s relations with the EU.

IRE422 - Euro-Mediterranean Relations The purpose and objective of this course is to provide an understanding about the relations between the European Union and the Mediterranean Partners. Specifically, the past, continuity, and problems in the emerging of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership is discussed along with European and Southern partners’ responses to this partnership. The course also includes discussions regarding to the problems & paradoxes within the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, changing concept of security and its relevance to the European and Southern Partners, the socio-economic disparities in the Mediterranean and obstacles on sustainable development and the Spread of Radical Islam and Terrorism, illegal immigration, oil, environmental problems.

IRE423 - History and Politics of The Far East In this course we will compare and contrast political development, political economy, modernization, and state-society relations, as well as institutional arrangements of major Far Eastern countries. The Far East is defined as a geographic region containing two major powers (China and Japan) and some other medium-level powers. Topics of the course will include geographical, historical, and cultural backgrounds of the Far Eastern states as well as their government structures, electoral systems, and decision-making processes.

IRE 417     International Conflict Case Studies The course aims to explain historical progress and contemporary issues about chosen states conflicts. Presentations will be done by students on the conflicts such as Middle East conflicts, proxy wars by super or great powers, power and energy wars.

IRE 317     Diplomatic Protocol The course aims to explain definition of protocol, Vienna  Convention, how to address diplomatic  corps, attending formal events and planning formal tables, organizing  formal visits and diplomatic writing skills.

IRE 425     Diplomatic Correspondence The course aims to teach diplomatic communication skills, correspondence methods like writing letters, talking, body language, negotiation and teaches  diplomatic terms.