COURSE UNIT TITLE

Offered By

International Relations (English)

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR MÜGE AKNUR

Offered to

Political Science and International Relations (English)
International Relations (English)

Course Objective

The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and empirical background needed to understand and examine some of the main social, political, economic and cultural issues that includes colonial history, state formation, economic development, political culture, state-society relations, social movements and democratization in Latin American countries.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Recomended or Required Reading

1. Thomas Skidmore, Peter H. Smith and James N. Green. Modern Latin America. 7th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
2. Ronaldo Munck, Contemporary Latin America, Palgrave, MacMillan, 2007.
3. William C. Smith eds., Latin American Democratic Transformations, Institutions, Actors and Processes, Miami, University of Miami Press, 2009, pp. 13-32
4. Howard J. Wiarda & Harvey F. Kline, A Concise Introduction to Latin American Politics and Development, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2007
5. Philip Oxhorn and Graciela Ducatenzeiler eds., What Kind of Democracy What Kind of Market Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1998,

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Individual or group work (writing and presenting a paper)
3. Exams

Assessment Methods

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

1. Demonstrate understanding of the Latin American politics by examining some of the main social, political, economic and cultural issues.
2. Analyze the colonial history, state formation, economic development, political culture, social movements, state-society relations and democratization.
3. Work individually or participate in a group work in analyzing a social, economic or cultural issue in a Latin American country.
4. Demonstrate high communication skills in writing and presenting a paper.
5. Acquire the skills to use library and internet sources independently.

The Rubric for the Evaluation of the Term Paper and its Presentation

Introduction to the subject: Give a detailed explanation of the significance of your subject and the sequence in which it will be examined throughout the paper (15 points)
An introduction to the subject under examination is not provided - Poor (0 %)
An introduction to the subject under examination is insufficiently provided - Fair (40%)
An introduction to the subject under examination is offered although the order is unclear. - Good (60%)
An introduction to the subject under examination is sufficiently provided - Very good (80%)
The subject under examination is thoroughly presented, and the sequence in which it will be examined throughout the paper is well described. - Excellent (100%)

Explanation of the theoretical framework in which you will analyze your paper topic. (15 points)
The theoretical framework is not explained - Poor (0%)
The theoretical framework is explained weakly and inadequately - Fair (40%)
The theoretical framework is offered, but its relevance to the issue is not properly proved. - Good (60%)
The theoretical framework is superficially examined and its relevance to the issue is properly explained- Very good (80%)
The theoretical framework is thoroughly analyzed, and its relevance to the topic under examination is clarified - Excellent (100%)

Historical Background: Examination of the historical background to help to analyze the current situation. (15 points)
The historical background is not examined - Poor (0%)
The historical background is examined insufficiently. - Fair (40%)
The historical background is examined overly brief or overly detailed. - Good (60%)
The historical background is examined sufficiently - Very good (80%)
The historical background is adequately and accurately examined. - Excellent (100%)

Case Study: Analysis of the case study according to the theoretical framework. (25 points)
The case study is not analyzed in depth -- superficial research - Poor (0%)
The case study is not sufficiently examined - Fair (40%)
The analysis of the case study has some weaknesses - Good (60%)
The case study is analyzed sufficiently - Very good (80%)
The case study is properly and adequately analyzed with the help of the theoretical framework - Excellent (100%)

Conclusion: Provide and discuss theoretically informed and empirically supported arguments to achieve a coherent and analytical study (15 points)
No conclusion provided - Poor (0%)
Conclusion provided is insufficient and inconsistent. - Fair (40%)
Conclusion is adequate but composed in a disorganized way. - Good (60%)
An explanatory and systematic conclusion is written. - Very good (80%)
Conclusion is developed coherently and analytically, within the scheme of theoretical framework. - Excellent

Citation in the text and references according to APA style (15 pts)
No citation in the text and no bibliography provided - Poor (0%)
Standard citation and reference style (APA) are not used - Fair (40%)
Citation in the text and references at the end are written with major mistakes according to APA style - Good (60%)
Citation in the text and references at the end are written with minor mistakes according to APA style - Very good (80%)

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 are supposed to come to class well-prepared.
4. Participation to class discussion is compulsory.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

muge.aknur@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

to be announced later.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes