DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF BUSINESS
DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
IRE 2111 KEY CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Fall 2022-2023
Instructor: Associate Prof. Elif Uzgören
Email: elif.uzgoren@deu.edu.tr
Research Assistant: Tuğcan Durmuşlar, Dr. Önder Canveren
Course description:
This course aims to introduce IR students with the key concepts and debates of the discipline
and to provide a general framework for understanding contemporary international relations.
The course covers topics such as scope, actors and levels of analysis in international relations,
historical context of international relations, main approaches to international relations, the role
of international institutions and international law.
Readings:
Richard Devetak, Anthony Burke and Jim George (eds.), An Introduction to International
Relations, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2012.
Martin Griffiths, Terry O’Callaghan and Steven C. Roach (2002) International Relations,
The Key Concepts, London: Routledge.
Thomas Diez, Ingvild Bode and Aleksandra Fernandes Da Costa (eds.) (2011) Key Concepts
in International Relations, London: Sage.
Grading:
Mid-Term Exam
Final Assignment
40 %
60 %
Weekly Course Outline:
Week 1
Introduction
3 October
Syllabus, course content & purpose (No assigned reading)
Week 2
The Origins and Changing Agendas of International Relations
10 October
Discipline
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 1-19.
1
Week 3
The Traditional Agenda: The Modern State, Nations and
17 October
Nationalism
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 134-159.
Week 4
The Traditional Agenda: Security, Arms Control and the Causes of
24 October
War
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 160-198
Week 5
The Traditional Agenda: The Ethics and Laws of War, International
31 October
Law and Diplomacy
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 218-242 and pp.
256-267.
Week 6
The Traditional Agenda: Great Powers and the Cold War
7 November
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp.268-293.
Midterm Exam – 14-25 November
Week 7
The New Agenda: The United Nations and Non-State Actors
28 November
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp.296-321.
Week 8
The New Agenda: Religion & Secularism and Global Economic
5 December
Institutions
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 322-347.
Week 9
The New Agenda: Globalization & Critics, Global Terrorism
12 December
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 386-414.
Week 10
Global poverty, development and inequality
19 December
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp. 372-386.
Week 11
The New Agenda: Human Rights, Humanitarian Intervention
26 December
Migration & Refugees
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp.426-461
2
Week 12
The New Agenda: Global Environmental Politics and Climate
2 January
Change
R. Devetak, A. Burke and J. George (eds.), 2012, pp.462-486.
Week 13
9 January
Overview and Concluding Remarks
3