COURSE UNIT TITLE

: KEY CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
UIR 2111 KEY CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMPULSORY 3 0 0 5

Offered By

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SEVILAY ZEHRA AKSOY

Offered to

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)

Course Objective

This course aims to introduce IR students to the key concepts of the discipline that constitute the foundation of its various subfields.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   To demonstrate understanding of key concepts, a brief general history of and general theoretical thinking in IR.
2   To acquire a general theoretical background in international relations.
3   To become familiar with IR terminology in order to follow the basic IR literature.
4   To relate the concepts to one another and realize that the relations as such constitute the bases of the fundamental subjects of IR (e.g. international theory, international law, international organizations, international political economy, etc.).
5   To acquire the skills to use library and internet resources independently.
6   To follow current IR issues from the media.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Modern state and its components, nation, nation-state
2 State sovereignty, diplomacy, recognition
3 Colonialism, decolonization, nationalism
4 National interest, power, security, human security
5 Anarchy, state of nature, order
6 Security dilemma, great power, balance of power
7 Hegemony, structural power, hegemonic stability theory
8 Relative gains, absolute gains, international regimes, alliance
9 Collective security, security community, multilateralism, unilateralism
10 International governmental organisations (IGOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs)
11 Free trade, interdependence, regionalism, globalisation
12 Human rights, humanitarian intervention, democratic peace, peace-keeping, peace-building

Recomended or Required Reading

1. International Relations: The Key Concepts, Martin Griffiths and Terry O'Callaghan, Routledge: London and New York, 2003.
2. Key Concepts in International Relations, Thomas Diez, Ingvild Bode and Aleksandra F. Da Costa, Sage: London, 2011.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Participation
3. Homework assignment

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MT Midterm
2 PRT Participation
3 FN Final
4 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MT * 0.40 + PRT * 0.10 +FN * 0.50
5 RST RESIT
6 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MT * 0.40 +PRT * 0.10 + RST * 0.50


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

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

1. Mid-term exam
2. Final Exam
3. Participation and/or short assignments

Assessment Criteria

1. Will clearly define and explain the key concepts of IR within historical and theoretical framework
2. Will use IR terminology in class discussions and/or short homework assignments
3. Will use library and internet sources
4. Will identify/recognize relevant concepts covered in the news media
5. Will demonstrate his/her familiarity with current political developments in line with the key concepts.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

1. Expected to attend at least % 70 of the classes.
2. Plagiarism of any type will result in disciplinary action.
3. Participation in class discussions is required.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

sevilayz.aksoy@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 5 60
Preparation for midterm exam 1 10 10
Preparation for final exam 1 10 10
Midterm 1 1,5 2
Final 1 1,5 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 120

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.24
LO.35
LO.45
LO.55
LO.64