Information Package
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Program of Political Science and International Relations (English)

POLI204

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORIES

Course Code
POLI204
Semester
Fourth Term (Spring)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
5
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study2
SemesterFourth Term (Spring)
ECTS5
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Learn the concepts of theory-building and methodology in internationation relations discipline.
  2. Gain a comprehensive insight on international relations theories by analyzing them.
  3. Compare and contrast international relations theories epistemologically and ontologically, and by this way improve their analytical and critical thinking and discussion abilities.
  4. Analytically apply their theoretical knowledge to world politics.
  5. By learning international relations theories in a critical way they gain an advantage in written and oral exams that they will enter in pursuit of their careeries in the field of international relations
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesYes(POLI211)
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsThere is no recommended optional programme component for this course.
Course DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to major theories in international relations. The course analyzes and compares and contrasts realism, liberalism, economic structuralism, the English school, constructivism, positivism, critical theory, postmodernism, and feminism.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week IR Theory and Realism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 1: Thinking About IR Theory, Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 2: Realism: The State and Balance of Power)
2nd Week Realism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 2: Realism: The State and Balance of Power)
3rd Week Realism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 2: Realism: The State and Balance of Power)
4th Week Liberalism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 3: Liberalism: Interdependence and Global Governance)
5th Week Liberalism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 3: Liberalism: Interdependence and Global Governance)
6th Week Economic Structuralism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 4: Economic Structuralism: Global Capitalism and Postcolonialism)
7th Week Mid-term Exam
8th Week Economic Structuralism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 4: Economic Structuralism: Global Capitalism and Postcolonialism)
9th Week The English School (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 5: The English School: International Society and Grotian Rationalism)
10th Week The English School (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 5: The English School: International Society and Grotian Rationalism)
11th Week Positivism; Constructivism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 6: Positivism, Critical Theory, and Postmodern Understandings, Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 7: Constructivist Understandings)
12th Week Constructivism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 7: Constructivist Understandings)
13th Week Critical Theory and Postmodern Understandings (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 6: Positivism, Critical Theory, and Postmodern Understandings)
14th Week Feminism (Viotti and Kauppi, International Relations Theory, Chapter 8: Feminist Understandings in IR Theory)
Recommended or Required ReadingPaul. R. Viotti and Mark V. Kauppi, International Relations Theory, 5th ed. (Essex: Pearson, 2014).
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Questions/Answers
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 50
Total(%) 50
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 50
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 50
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 1.5 1.5
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work 14 2 28
Preparation for Final exam 1 40 40
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 40 40
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 1.5 1.5
Homework
Total Work Load153
Total Work Load / 30 (h)5.1
ECTS Credit of the Course5
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
K1
K2
K3 X
K4 X
K5
K6
K7
K8 X X X
K9
K10 X
K11 X X X
K12
K13 X