COURSE UNIT TITLE

: COMPARATIVE MODERNITIES

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
UIR 4203 COMPARATIVE MODERNITIES ELECTIVE 3 0 0 6

Offered By

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IBRAHIM SAYLAN

Offered to

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)

Course Objective

The aim of the course is to introduce learners to the comparative analysis of diverse paths to modernity with respect to governmental structures, ideologies, secularization, class relations, the role of elites and so on. After an introduction of major texts and debates in historical sociology, the course will continue with case studies

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Explain basic concepts, approaches and ideas of major historians and sociologists taught in class (such as Braudel, Moore, Tilly, Skocpol, Thompson) in order to comprehend their individual and collective contributions to rethink political and social history
2   Compare and contrast different paths to modernity in various parts of the world in order to demonstrate understanding of the challenges to modernization theory
3   Deliver well articulated and systematic presentations of research findings to demonstrate a proficiency in presentation skills
4   Design and write a well organized academic paper in order to develop academic writing skills

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Methodology: Big Structures, Large Processes, Huge Comparisons (Tilly, Bloch, Braudel)
2 Transition to Capitalism: Ideas and Debates (Dobb, Sweezey, Brenner)
3 Wars, Revolutions, and the Making of Modern State (P. Anderson, Skocpol)
4 Different Routes to Modernity or Multiple Modernities (Eisentadt, Therborn)
5 Social Groups and Elites (Moore, Thompson, Bourdieu)
6 The Civilizing Process and Cultural Modernity (Elias)
7 Case Study: Western Europe
8 Case Study: Central and Eastern Europe
9 Case Study: US and Japan
10 Case Study: India and China
11 Case Study: Latin America
12 Case Study: Africa and the Middle East

Recomended or Required Reading

C.Tilly, Big Structures, Large Processes, Huge Comparisons, Russel Sage Foundation, New York, 2006
F.Braudel, History and the Social Sciences, Review, 32(2), 2009, pp. 171-203
P.Anderson, Lineages of the Absolutist State, Verso, London, 1979
T.Skocpol (Ed.), Vision and Method in Historical Sociology, Cambridge University Press, 1984
B.Moore, Social Origins of Democracy and Dictatorship, Beacon Press, Boston, 1966
E.P.Thompson, The Making of the English Working Class, Pantheon Books, New York, 1964
P.Bourdieu, The Logic of Practice, Stanford University Press, Stanford CA, 1990
R.Hilton, The Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism, Verso, London, 1978
R.Brenner, Origins of Capitalist Development: A Critique of Neo-Smithian Marxism, New Left Review, 104, 1977, pp. 25-92
G.Therborn, Routes to/through Modernity in Featherson et al (eds) Global Modernities, Sage, London, 1995
J.A.Goldstone, The Comparative and Historical Study of Revolutions, Annual Review of Sociology, 8, 1982, pp. 187-207

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Discussion of weekly readings
3. Presentation of term-papers

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MT Midterm
2 TP TermProject
3 PRS Presentation
4 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MT * 0.40 + TP * 0.40 + PRS * 0.20


*** Resit Exam is Not Administered in Institutions Where Resit is not Applicable.

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

The learners will:
1. Clearly and coherently explain the concepts, arguments and debates in historical sociology.
2. Compare and contrast diverse paths to modernity with regard to certain common criteria.
3. Make a well organized presentation to discuss questions and findings about a case study.
4. Submit a term-paper on that case study taking the feedback from peers and the instructor into consideration. The paper will include an organized structure, literature review, research question, proper citations, and supported arguments.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

1. Attending at least 70 % of lectures is mandatory.
2. Plagiarism of any type will result in disciplinary action.
3. Students should read the assigned material prior to class and participate in class discussions.
4. Each student will choose a term-paper topic with the guidance of the instructor. Students should discuss draft papers with the instructor, present them in class, and then rewrite based on the feedback

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

sevket.ovali@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

To be announced later.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 12 3 36
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 12 4 48
Preparation for midterm exam 1 12 12
Preparing assignments 1 40 40
Preparing presentations 1 5 5
Midterm 1 1,5 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 143

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13
LO.15
LO.25
LO.35
LO.45