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 1. Having the ability to understand and discuss international relations discipline by using an interdisciplinary methodology to merge the knowledge coming from sociology, economics, psychology, political sciences well as diplomatic history.
2. P02 2. Having an adequate knowledge of the history and the epochs of international system and being able to identify historical evolution of the contemporary world politics.
3. P03 3. Recognizing local, regional and international actors functioning within the international system.
4. P04 4. Understanding the legal framework of the current international system
5. P05 5. Ability to identify the relations between the key actors of the international system – the states – from a theoretical as well as multi-dimensional scientific and academic methods.
6. P06 6. Ability to analyse the roles and positions of the non-state actors – international organizations in particular – within the current world system.
7. P07 7. Ability to recognize political, socio-economic and cultural structures embedded in international relations.
8. P08 8. Exploring the roots of conflicts among the actors and produce solutions at local, regional and international levels with an analytical focus.
9. P09 9. Being able to understand the politics and the functioning of political institutions in theory and practice.
10. P10 10. Understanding the historical emergence of various political cultures and gaining ability to assess them comparatively.
11. P11 11. Prepare international relations graduates; having a vast knowledge, academic formation and skills to work in public offices, civil society organizations, international institutions and companies at local and global levels.
12. P12 12. To have moral and ethical understanding in the field of work.

Po-Lo Matrix