ISTANBUL SABAHATTIN ZAIM UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF HUMAN AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Semester I
PSIR 101 Introduction to Political Science (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course aims to provide students with the basic conceptual framework and methods of
political science. It examines political ideas, theories, and systems. Some of the subjects that
will be covered in this course are: power, legitimacy, sovereignty and authority; development
of the modern nation state; political aspects of human behaviour, political culture,
participation, democracy, political parties and pressure groups, legislative and executive
power, judiciary and bureaucracy, political theory.
PSIR 103 Introduction to International Relations (3-0-3) AKTS 5
This is the foundation course in the field of International Relations. It seeks to introduce
students to the development of the world order and state systems, actors, levels of analysis,
key concepts as well as major theoretical approaches of the field. Conflict and cooperation in
international relations, and introduction to international relations images and theories are
among the topics to be covered. This course offers an overview of the discipline of
international relations, equipping students with skills to carry forward into subsequent
courses.
PSIR 105 World Political History I (to 1914) (3-0-3) AKTS 5
This course is on the history of international politics from the Westphalian world order to
World War I with special emphasis on such concepts as nationalism, socialism and
imperialism. Here are some of the subjects to be covered: the 19th century European balance
of power system, political developments in Britain; the American Revolution; the French
Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars; the Concert of Europe; the revolutions of 1830 and
1848; Italian and German unification; Industrial Revolution and Colonialism/Imperialism;
rise of the United States; relations between the Ottoman and Western powers, causes of
World War I.
ECO 101 Introduction to Economics (3-0-3) AKTS 5
The aim of this course is to give our students an understanding of elementary economic
analysis and its applications and to create awareness about the economical exercises that they
will to face in the future.
YDL 103 English I (3-0-3) AKTS 4
This course prepares Political Science and International Relations students for college level
reading and writing in their domain.
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BIM 153 Information Technology I (1-2-2) AKTS 3
This course introduce our students with the basic concepts of computer system, the usage
abilities of operating system, internet and office programmes (MS Word).
TUR 101 Turkish Language I (2-0-2) AKTS 2
The aim of this course is to give our students knowledge about the characteristics of the
Turkish language, punctuation marks and spelling rules, as well as creative, scientific,
inquisitorial and critical thinking skills.
Semester II
PSIR 102 Political Sociology (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course defines political sociology and its main concepts. It examines mainly the
relations between states and societies, and helps to trace back political phenomena to their
social roots. Topics to be covered include political structures, social bases of power and
politics, and the interaction of political processes and political institutions.
PSIR 104 International Relations Images and Theories (3-0-3) AKTS 5
Images and theories are the intellectual frameworks that provide scholars and analysts their
‘toolkit’ for exploration of the international system. This course introduces students to the
key authors and theoretical debates upon which the academic discipline of international
relations has been built. It focuses on the major classical Western images/perspectives in the
field of international relations: realism, pluralism, globalism, and normative considerations,
as well as the current debates on international relations theories with particular attention to
examples of non-Western contributions. Practical attention will be paid to help the students to
understand current international events through these lenses. This course will be a useful
starting point in helping students not only to understand current trends in a still very dynamic
field, but also to gain an appreciation for the extent to which current theoretical work and
debates rest so heavily upon the rich conceptual foundation of earlier years and cross the
millennia.
PSIR 106 World Political History II (1914 to Present) (3-0-3) AKTS 5
This course is on the history of the 20th century from World War I to the contemporary era:
World War I; the Bolshevik Revolution; the period between the two World Wars; World War
II; the Cold War; developments in the Post-Cold War Era. Particular attention will be given
to the formation of the bipolar world order, global tension and conflicts in periphery, and
transformation of the bipolar world.
ECO 102 Introduction to Economics (3-0-3) AKTS 5
This course aims to introduce students with fundamental concepts of economics.
YDL 104 English II (3-0-3) AKTS 4
This course prepares Political Science and International Relations students for college level
reading and writing in their domain.
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BIM 154 Information Technology II (1-2-2) AKTS 3
This course is on the Advanced Ms Excel Learning. Students will be able to prepare and
interpret graphics based on numerical values in working tables, with the basic principles of
working table softwares and data saving properties.
TUR 102 Turkish Language II (2-0-2) AKTS 2
The aim of this course is to give our students knowledge about the characteristics of the
Turkish language, punctuation marks and spelling rules, as well as creative, scientific,
inquisitorial and critical thinking skills.
Semester III
PSIR 201 International Political Economy (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The relations between economics and politics on an international scale is the main focus of
this course. It includes topics, such as, the concepts of international political economy (IPE),
theories of international political economy, actors and structures of international political
economy, transformation of IPE, dependence interdependence, and global and regional
economic organizations (IMF, WTO, ASEAN, etc.).
PSIR 203 History of Political Thought (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This is an introductory course for the students who seeks specialization in the field of
Political Theory. It will focus on a historical overview of political ideas of thinkers in
classical, medieval and modern ages. This includes analysis of the selected readings of Plato,
Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Ibn Khaldoun, Machiavelli; and Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau,
Kant, Burke, Hegel, Marx, Weber, Nietzsche, Lenin, Hayek, Rawls. Particular attention will
be given to the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, and human nature.
PSIR 205 Turkish Politics (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course is an analysis of Turkish politics from the historical point of view. It includes
topics like: the Ottoman legacy, the Republican period in Turkish politics, civil-military
relations, political system and institutional structures, parties and elections, transformation of
patterns in Turkish politics, and current issues in Turkish internal politics.
PSIR 207 Political Islam (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course consists of a geographical and historical perspective of contemporary political
Islam with particular emphasis on the Muslim Brothers’ Society. Focus will be on the
significance of the Islamic political thought in the classical period and its impact on the
present. In addition, it intends to give an outline of modern and contemporary Islamic
political thought, and more detailed attention will be given to specific subjects such as Jihad,
the relations with other faiths, and current debates on the interaction of Islam and politics in
the Muslim world, such as, democracy and the Islamic state.
ATA 101 History of Turkish Revolution I (2-0-2) AKTS 2
Students will learn about the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the War of Independence,
the declaration of the republic, the causes behind the Turkish revolution, the foreign policies
of the era, the role Atatürk’s principals has on the construction of Turkey, the passage from
the communityship to the citizenship.
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LAW 101 Introduction to Law (3-0-3) AKTS 4
The subjects to be covered are: sources and development of law, basic concepts of law,
powers of legislative, executive and judiciary, law and constitution, rights and liberties.
Semester IV
PSIR 202 Turkish Political Economy (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The structure and institutions of Turkish economy are introduced with special references to
their relation to the Turkish political system and social life. Current political issues and
foreign economic relations are covered. Turkish Political Economy’s historical, institutional
and structural framework is discussed.
PSIR 204 Political Theories (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The aim of this course is to explore the conceptual and theoretical components of the major
classical and modern political theories across different cultural and historical contexts.
Throughout this course, the main texts of these theories will be explored with the reference to
main concepts of politics such as justice, freedom, power etc. Special attention will be paid to
social contract theory as the most commonly used explanation for the legitimacy of the
modern state; and the theory of national state. The students will be equipped with the
theoretical tools in analyzing the complex relations between various worldviews and
contemporary political events.
PSIR 206 Comparative Politics (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course is on the comparative analysis of various political systems from Western and
non-Western world with a focus on selected countries. The main theoretical approaches in
comparative politics, comparative examination of various political institutions, cultures,
governmental structures, and policy-making processes will be covered.
PSIR 208 Geopolitics (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The course highlights the relation between geography and states politics. Through this course,
students will learn about classical Western geopolitical theories of Mahan, Mackinder and
others, as well as an example of non-Western contribution. A particular attention will be paid
to the role of geopolitics in understanding the current international politics.
ATA 102 History of Turkish Revolution II (2-0-2) AKTS 2
This course is the continuation of the ATA 101. The aim of this class is to introduce
Ataturk’s principles and revolutions to our students.
LAW 102 Constitutional Law (3-0-3) AKTS 4
This course is on the key concepts of the Turkish Constitution. Some of the subjects to be
covered are: the main principles of the Constitutional Law, concept of state, constitutional
movements, state organs, basic rights and liberties.
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Semester V
PSIR 301 Foreign Policy and Diplomacy (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The course is designed to introduce students to both the theory and practice of foreign policy
and diplomacy. It is broadly divided into three methods of analysis: theoretical overview,
case study analysis, and simulation. Issues explored include foreign policy decision-making,
the changing nature of diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, summitry and
mediation, negotiation and treaties, as well as coercive diplomacy, crisis management, and
the utility of force. The theoretical core is supplemented by extensive case study analysis of
contemporary diplomatic history.
PSIR 303 Global Security (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The aim of this course is to give a better understanding of the global security. It focuses on
the recent debates around the traditional and new approaches. Principal concepts in global
security, transformation of world system from bi-polarity to multi-polarity, global security
organizations and alliances, global and regional security challenges, non-conventional threats,
and contemporary debates in security and strategic studies.
Electives
PSIR 305 Political Decision Making (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The course will focus on the main Western theoretical approaches in political decision
making with case studies from different countries and regional and international
institutions. The role of different institutions in the decision-making process; rules and
procedures for decision-making in the EU for example; a detailed study of the three
main procedures: consultation, assent and co-decision.
PSIR 307 Politics and Media (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course examines the relations between power and media in political sphere. It
seems that those two social institutions are linked to each other. In some cases, political
power tends to influence media while in other cases, media tend to influence politics. In
this course, students are encouraged to analyze that particular relations and to think
about the moral dimensions of this relation. Examples from both Turkey and other
countries will be discussed.
PSIR 309 Religion and Politics (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course examines the relations between religion and politics from a Western
perspectives. Readings will cover St.Paul, Kant, Marx and Weber among others.
PSIR 311 Politics of European Integration (3-0-3) AKTS 6
European Union has emerged as a new form of political organization. Understanding
both foreign and domestic affairs requires understanding the dynamics of the European
Union integration. Accordingly, this course introduces the supranational and inter
governmentalist perspectives on the European Union. To have a better understanding of
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the politics of European integration, this course will cover topics, such as, the
philosophical bases of European unification; World War II and its influence on
European integration; overview of European integration history; emergence and
transformation of political institutions; classical paradigms of European integration;
recent theoretical approaches; enlargement of the European Union; the European Union
and globalization; future of the European Union.
PSIR 313 International Migration and Identity Crisis (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The contemporary migration of people has moved swiftly up the international agenda to
become an issue of heated debate. The main aim of this course is to examine the
relations between international migration and identity crisis; and if the international
migration was the main cause behind the rise of ethnic, religious identities on the global
level. In what ways do large-scale migrations and growing diversity affect political
institutions and national identity? This course charts voluntary and involuntary
migrations of people and identifies both the variations and the common factors
involved in international population movements. The course also investigates the
emergence of new transnational communities and the new diasporas that have
developed as a result of these movements. During this course, students should be aware
of the theories of international migration and theories of political integration, and their
implications for human and national development; and implications of international
migration for economic, social, and political development for sending and receiving
countries.
PSIR 315 History and Politics of West Asia (3-0-3) AKTS 6
In addition to the examination of the geopolitical significance of Western Asian
countries, this course will cover topics, such as, the history of colonization and the
formation of national states, historical and contemporary analysis of political, social
and cultural factors, religion, secularism, nationalism, state and ideology in Arab states,
conflicts and peace-making in the region, Palestinian issue, problems of economic
development, oil politics, the role of major powers, and the relations between West
Asian countries.
PSIR 317 International Treaties: Study and Analysis (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The aim of this course is to introduce students to international treaties and agreements;
and help them to develop their analytical skills in studying such documents. Selected
historical and contemporary agreements will be examined during this course.
Semester VI
PSIR 302 Turkish Foreign Policy (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This is an in depth analysis course of the Turkish foreign policy. It covers topics such as,
historical legacy, Turkish foreign policy-making processes and the challenges and
opportunities for Turkey in international relations, internal and external factors and actors in
the formation of the Turkish foreign policy, examination of the impact of international and
regional developments on foreign policy decisions; the role of key figures and organizations
in shaping foreign relations, and current issues in the Turkish foreign policy.
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PSIR 304 Research Methods (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course focuses on the major research paradigms and general methodologies in Political
Science and International Relations. It introduces basic principles of academic research:
research question, hypothesis formation, method selection, data gathering, processing,
evaluating and testing, presentation of findings; writing formal research reports. Qualitative
research methods in social sciences (case studies, interviews, focus groups, etc.), quantitative
research methods in social sciences (surveys, secondary data, etc.), reliability and validity
concerns, and research fallacies will be covered. In addition, each student needs to develop a
research proposal as a practical exercise which is expected to serve as the basis of their
dissertation.
Electives
PSIR 306 Political Parties (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course focuses on the origins, functions, attitudes towards the political and social
developments, and organizational structures of political parties and its types. In
addition, it covers the relations between the parties and pressure and lobbying groups;
and the impact of the electoral systems on the parties.
PSIR 308 Gender and Politics (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course is an introduction to gender and politics. It covers topics, such as,
gendering the study of politics, women and the right to vote, women’s movements and
political parties, women and political parties, feminist and women’s movements,
normative arguments for women’s representation, women’s descriptive and substantive
representation, women, gender and the state, women, gender and public policies,
domestic violence as a political issue, women and work, and gender and education.
PSIR 310 International Cooperation (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Throughout this course, students will understand the possibilities of cooperation under
the anarchic structure of international relations. The debate between neo-realist thinkers
and neo-liberals of the 80s constitutes the main topic of the course.
PSIR 312 Sovereignty and Globalization (3-0-3) AKTS 6
In addition to define globalization, this course will cover topics, such as, the emergence
of the global age from modernity to post-modernity, the multi-dimensionality of
globalization, transformation of nation state system, globalization of world politics,
Globalization versus regionalism, and the main critics of globalization. A special
attention will be paid to the impact of globalization on the concept of sovereignty and
the national state
PSIR 314 Nationalism, Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Post-Cold War era has witnessed the rise to the ethnic conflicts all around the world. In
addition to define nation, nationalism, ethnicity, political violence and ethnic conflict,
this course covers topic, such as, emergence and rise of nationalism, various theories of
nationalism (primordial, modernist etc.), role of ethnic groups in national and
international politics; causes and dynamics of domestic and international ethnic
conflict; and major examples of ethnic conflict and genocide around the globe.
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Particular attention is given to the power of nationalism and its impact on the
emergence of ethnic conflicts.
PSIR 316 History and Politics of Balkans (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The main focus of this course is the history and politics of Balkans with special
emphasis on the 20th century. The course will discuss the main dynamics of the region
starting from the 19th century nationalist movements to the post-Cold War era crises. It
covers topics, such as, Ottoman legacy, emergence of national states, Yugoslavian
experience, disintegration of Yugoslavia, ethnic conflicts, the history of
“Balkanization”, the Balkans and EU integration, and Turkey’s foreign policy towards
the Balkans.
Semester VII
PSIR 401 Conflict Resolutions (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Rooted in a pragmatic, micro-level approach, this course is an introduction to the field of
conflict analysis and resolution, with a focus on the deep-rooted and seemingly intractable
social conflicts of the late 20th and early 21st century. The course introduces frameworks for
analyzing conflicts, recognizing conflict behaviours and conflict dynamics, and then presents
students with numerous approaches for managing, resolving and transforming conflict,
including the roles of various “third parties” as mediators, negotiating strategies, and certain
operational considerations. The course is grounded in extensive case study analysis of
contemporary conflict management. Examples of non-Western contributions to conflict
resolutions will be covered.
PSIR 403 International Organisations (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course aims to understand the theoretical and empirical parts of the international
organizations (IOs), and their growing role in international relations. It covers topics, such as,
historical origins and functions of international organizations, international and domestic
political forces that impact operations and effectiveness of international organizations;
examination of various IOs in the areas of security, finance, trade, environment, human
rights; and the relations of international organizations with the issues of interdependence,
global governance and complex sovereignty.
Electives
PSIR 405 Contemporary Political Issues in Turkey (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Contemporary political issues in Turkey will be selected for this course.
PSIR 407 Comparative International Political Systems (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course will compare and contrast between the main political systems from
different regions and countries. Selected political systems will be studied in details.
PSIR 409 Regional and International Alliances (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course is an advanced study of International cooperation with selected historical
and contemporary examples of both regional and international alliances.
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PSIR 411 Islamicjerusalem Models in International Relations (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This unique course introduces the students to non-Western models and theories of
international relations which was established in the 7th century and lately developed, by
Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, in the 21st country. It discusses a new strategic model and
new geopolitical theory, the model of radical change, the strategic planning model; the
end of war model and the reshaping of the relations between the communities, the
Aman theory (peaceful co-existence and mutual respect) which present Islamicjeruslem
as a model for Multiculturalism, cultural engagement; and conflict resolution; and the
historical model to study international relations.
PSIR 413 Citizenship, Multiculturalism and Democracy (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This is a comparative examination course of the main issues related to citizenship,
multiculturalism and democracy. It includes topics, such as, a discussion of models of
citizenship, formation of nation states, ethnic identity, diversity in multinational and
multi-confessional states, minority/group rights, and cultural rights; theories of
democracy and multiculturalism, and approaches to citizenship and migration in the
contexts of multiculturalism and development. In addition, the students will be aware of
the contemporary debates regarding problems of multiculturalism, nation-state and
universal citizenship.
PSIR 415 History and Politics of Africa (3-0-3) AKTS 6
The main focus of this course is the history and politics of Africa with special emphasis
on the 20th century. It covers topics, such as, the history of colonization and the
formation of national states, historical and contemporary analysis of political, social,
religious and cultural factors in African countries, conflicts and problems of economic
development, the role of major powers, and the relations between African countries.
PSIR 417 Special Topic in International Relations (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Sometimes opportunities arise to offer unique or one-off courses in the department. The
topic and country/region covered in the course vary according to the selection of the
Departmental staff member. The content of the course will be announced prior to the
beginning of the semester.
Semester VIII
PSIR 402 Dissertation (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Students are required to complete a 10,000 words dissertation on a topic in Political Science
and International Relations, which reflects their research interests, under the supervision of a
Departmental staff member. Students need to meet regularly with their supervisors during the
entire semester.
PSIR 404 Seminar on International Contemporary Issues (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course is designed to expose students to a range of issues, controversies, and debates
within contemporary international issues. Each week, local/regional/international issues will
be aired and explored through a colloquium presentation and discussion session, in which
students are expected to present arguments on weekly issues and to participate in ensuing
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questions and discussion. This format is designed to stimulate debate, to sharpen oral skills,
and to help students appreciate the breadth of issues and competing opinions in IR.
Electives
PSIR 406 Islamic Political Thought (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course examines the basic concepts and mainstream schools of Islamic political
thought. It covers topics, such as, interaction of Islam and politics, sources of Islam,
Islamic political tradition, and survey of key views of classic and contemporary Islamic
thinkers in relation to politics, religion and society.
PSIR 408 Special Topic in Political Science (3-0-3) AKTS 6
Sometimes opportunities arise to offer unique or one-off courses in the Department.
The topic and country/region covered in the course vary according to the selection of
the Departmental staff member. The content of the course will be announced prior to
the beginning of the semester.
PSIR 410 Turkey-EU Relations (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course covers the historical bases of Turkey-EU relations; the Ankara Agreement;
main dynamics of Turkish politics towards the EU in preparatory and transitional
stages; full membership negotiations and the “Europeanization” of the Turkish political
system; attitudes and arguments of the key political actors in Turkey on EU-related
issues; increasing role of non-governmental actors in Turkey-EU relations.
PSIR 412 Foreign Policies for Great powers (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course examines the foreign policies of the great powers in general and the United
States in particular. It covers topics, such as, formation of global interests in the
20th century. The rise of USA in the world politics, an analysis of American foreign
policy in the context of internal politics, decision-making process in American foreign
policy, permanent lobbies, varying doctrines, American foreign policy after the Cold
War, American priorities and other power centres, and the current debates on the
American foreign policy.
PSIR 414 Boundaries Conflicts (3-0-3) AKTS 6
One of the source of conflicts in 20th and 21st centuries in third world countries is the
border disputes between some of these countries. The aim of this course is to examine
the reasons behind these boarder conflicts; and how they can be resolved. Selected
historical and contemporary case studies will be examined during this course.
PSIR 416 International Human Rights (3-0-3) AKTS 6
This course provides students with the philosophical, legal, and political perspectives
on human rights. It includes topics, such as, theoretical foundations and historical
development of human rights; evolution of international human rights regimes and their
impact on international and domestic politics; causes of contemporary human rights
problems; the economic, social, and political factors associated with progress in human
rights; strategic approaches employed to improve human rights in different settings; the
roles and activities of states, international organizations (UN Declaration on Human
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Rights, European Convention on Human Rights, European Court of Human Rights, and
examination of court decisions), civil society organizations, and evolution of human
rights in Turkish legal documents.
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