INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Course Description

This course is an introduction course for the first year International Relations students with the aim of introducing students to the discipline’s fundamental terminologies, and concepts. Within this framework, the course explores instances of applied political science through real world examples by providing the essential conceptual tools and fundamental methodologies of studying political science. The course focuses on the building blocks of studying politics such as legitimacy, sovereignty, state, classes, as well as political elites. Fundamental knowledges such as Political parties, regimes, ideologies, election systems will be given to students. In line with the fundamental methodologies of studying political science, the major political perspectives will be analyzed throughout the semester.

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

Course outcomes

1. 01 By the end of the term, the students are expected: (1) to define basic political concepts;
2. 02 (2) to describe how politics can be studied scientifically;
3. 03 (3) to acquire basic skills necessary to analyze politics;
4. 04 (4) to identify, compare and contrast main political ideologies;

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Andrew Heywood & Matthew Laing (2025). Politics, Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. (The main book)
2. 02 James N. Danziger & Charles Anthony Smith (2016) Understanding the Political World (12th edition), New York: Pearson
3. 03 Eddie J. Girdner (1999) People and Power, 2nd edition, Istanbul: Literatür.

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 By the end of the term, the students are expected: (1) to successfully define basic political concepts SOLO 3
2. L02 to describe how politics can be studied scientifically SOLO 3
3. L03 to acquire the basic skills necessary to analyze political developments SOLO 4
4. L04 to demonstrate an understanding of major political ideologies SOLO 4
5. L05 to demonstrate knowledge of key political thinkers, scholars and their works SOLO 4
6. L06 to explain the significance of specific historical events and processes in the context of global political and economic development. SOLO 3

Program Outcomes

1. P01 PO1: Engaged in insightful thinking leading to self-learning and lifelong learning.
2. P02 PO2: Established a general knowledge of economics sufficient to work independently through specific learned techniques generated via individual efforts and study.
3. P03 PO3: Reached the required knowledge and skills to understand social, economic and legal issues both within national, international and global contexts and apply theoretical knowledge of economics to practice.
4. P04 PO4: Adopted the ability to critically evaluate, analyze and interpret information gathered through the use of related statistical software programs to suggest creative solutions for economic problems and make relevant economic decisions.
5. P05 PO5: Been aware of gathering and analyzing data through the application of appropriate technological tools in an ethical and safe manner in order to generate economic decisions and policy suggestions.
6. P06 PO6: Been equipped with conceptual and analytical skills essential for team-working and collaborations for economic decision making for a variety of economic concepts in national and global environment.
7. P07 PO7: Endowed with both oral and written communication skills within the economic field to effectively study and work in an international environment
8. P08 PO8: Been able to transfer theoretical knowledge to real life economic environment: to generate policies for microeconomic and macroeconomic problems faced by individuals, firms and governments at national, international and global context.
9. P09 PO9: Developed an ability to apply economic analysis to everyday problems in real world through the development of ethical perspectives and social responsibilities at work and in personal life.

Po-Lo Matrix