COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION

Course Name
Theories of International Relations
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
PSIR 304
Spring
3
0
3
6
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Required
Course Level
First Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator -
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s)
Course Objectives This course will help the students to both develop their critical thinking on main themes of IR such as conflict, security, power, and integration from different theoretical perspectives and apply various mainstream and critical theories of International Relations to real-world cases.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • Explain the goal and importance of theory and theoretical researches.
  • Explain the main assumptions, problematics, epistemological, ontological and methodological foundations and their solutions of those problematics with examples.
  • Compare and analyze different theories in regard to the issues mentioned in article two.
  • Use theories of international relations to analyze and explain historical and contemporary events and problems.
  • Comment on the future of international relationas and emerging trends in the framework of discussed theoretical approaches.
Course Description In this course the discipline of International Relations will be handled in the framework of different theories, its philosophical foundations, main assumptions, basic problems and its answers to those problems. Discussed theoretical approaches will be applied to historical and contemporary events. For the additional readings and announcements, please visit blackboard.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

 Core Courses
X
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 Introduction
2 What is IR Theory and why do we need it? Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 1. Singer, J. D. (1961). “The Level-of-Analysis Problem in International Relations,” World Politics, 14 (1), pp. 77-92.
3 Classical and Structural Realism Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 3 & 4. Carr, E.H. (2000). The Twenty Years’ Crisis. An Introduction to the Study of International Relations. London: Palgrave Macmillan, Ch. 1-6. Waltz, K. N. (1990), “Realist Thought and Neorealist Theory”, Journal of International Affairs, 44 (1), pp. 21-37.
4 Liberalism(s) Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 5 & 6. Keohane, R. (2004), http://www.uctv.tv/shows/Theory-and-International-Institutions-with-Robert-O-Keohane-Conversations-with-History-8991
5 Constructivism Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 10. Wendt, A. (1992). “Anarchy is what states make of it: the social construction of power politics,” International Organization, 46 (2), pp. 391‐425.
6 Marxism and Critical Theory Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 8 & 9 Cox, C. (1983). “Gramsci, Hegemony and IR”, Millennium, 12 (2), pp. 162-175.
7 The English School Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 7 Buzan, B. (2001). "The English School: An Underexploited Resource in IR", Review of International Studies, 27 (3), pp. 471-88.
8 Midterm
9 Poststructuralism Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 12 Foucault, M. (1980) “Truth and Power”. in Gordon. C. (Ed.). Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other Writings 1972-1977, New York: Harvester Wheatsheaf, pp. 109-133.
10 Postcolonialism Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 13 & Said, E. (2003) Orientalism, London: Penguin, pp. 1-49.
11 Old Wars, “New Wars” & IR Kaldor, M. (2013). In defence of new wars. Stability: International journal of security and development, 2(1). & Hirst, P. Q. (2002). Another century of conflict? War and the international system in the 21st century. International Relations, 16(3), 327-342.
12 New Approaches in IR Dunne et al. International Relations Theories, Ch. 11, 14 & 15. & Adisonmez, U. C., and Oztig, L. I. (2024). A Psychoanalytic Approach to Turkish Foreign Policy: Crisis, Disorder, and Disorientation. Critical Studies on Security, 1–22.
13 Group Presentations
14 Group Presentations
15 Review of the Semester
16 Final Exam
Course Notes/Textbooks

Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki ve Steve Smith (Eds.) (2016). International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity, 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

*All course readings are available at the University Library and as open sources.
Suggested Readings/Materials

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weighting
Participation
1
20
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
1
20
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
1
20
Final Exam
1
40
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
3
60
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
40
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
Study Hours Out of Class
12
3
36
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
1
20
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
1
30
Final Exams
1
35
    Total
169

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
 Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able to use the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the areas of Political Science and International Relations.

 X
2

To be able to have the basic knowledge of, and make use of other disciplines which contribute to the areas of Political Science and International Relations.
3

To be able to distinguish the differences between classical and contemporary theories and to assess their relationship.

 X
4

To be able to recognize regional and global issues, and develop solutions based on research.

 X
5

To be able to assess the acquired knowledge and skills in the areas of Political Science and International Relations critically.

 X
6

To be able to transfer ideas and proposals on issues in the areas of Political Science and International Relations to other people and institutions verbally and in writing.
7

To be able to identify the historical continuity and changes observed in the relations between the actors and institutions of national and international politics.

 X
8

To be able to examine concepts, theories, and developments with scientific methods in the areas of Political Science and International Relations.

 X
9

To be able to take responsibility as an individual and as a team member.
10

To be able to act in accordance with the scientific and ethical values in studies related to Political Science and International Relations.
11

To be able to collect data in the areas of Political Science and International Relations and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).
12

To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.
13

To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of experience.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest