Graduate Education Institute · Political Science and International Relations · Master
Course Objective
The aim of this course is to analyze and discuss the basic concepts of political science. Politics, state, society, sovereignty, justice, democracy, authority and political ideologies will be evaluated within the scope of this course. What does politics and political science deals with? In this context, what is social science and is there a methodology unique to social sciences? How does the state and sovereignty come about? How can democracy and legitimacy be defined? How are political authorities and democratic electoral mechanisms formed? such questions will be answered within the scope of the course. Likewise, the subjects such as individual, society, social order and justice, political economics and international relations are important issues within the scope of this course.
Course Content
This course is designed to introduce gradute students to Political Science. It is organized in a problem-solving structure which means that we will begin the course with a problem, and then pursue the rest of the weeks in trying to understand the problem in its deeper historical, structural, ideological, and institutional context, and also to learn and discuss possible solutions to it. The main problem that will be the driving force of our course is this: Is there a crisis in politics? Since contemporary politics and world order is an outcome of modernity and modern worldview which first emerged in Europe, and then spread to the rest of the world through wars, colonization and modernization processes, we need to understand this modern worldview in its origin and its evolution in history. In doing this, we will examine how this worldview were translated into politics through particular institutions, ideas, values, principles and structures, such as nation-state, liberal democracy, nationalism, a particular form of economy, political party, international system, political culture, media, government, legislation, judiciary, bureaucracy, society and identity. Only after understanding how contemporary politics came into being and evolved in time, can we start thinking in a well-informed way about how this current crisis can – if at all – be overcome.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Ability to effectively communicate ideas and information verbally, and in writing.
- Ability to effectively convey arguments and opinions in an independent and creative manner.
- Ability for critical and analytical thinking, and the ability to utilize these in engaging with, and offering solutions for, historical and contemporary political problems.
- Design, plan, organize and implement tasks within an allotted timeframe.
- Having a good level of knowledge in political science ranging from political culture, media, regime types, party systems, economic systems and political ideas and ideologies to democracy, state, globalization, world order and nationalism. Names and details of the issues and subjects are provided in the syllabus.