Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Program of Political Science and International Relations (English)

POLI207

LAW AND POLITICS

Course Code
POLI207
Semester
Third Term (Fall)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
5
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study2
SemesterThird Term (Fall)
ECTS5
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. will have basic knowledge of the shared concepts of law and politics.
  2. will possess preliminary knowledge to understand and appreciate the discipline of law and its formal structure.
  3. will be able to discuss the interactions as well as the potential contradictions and tensions between law and politics.
  4. will have the foundational knowledge necessary to take the course on Constitutional Law.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsNo recommended optional programme components.
Course DescriptionThe course familiarizes students with the overlapping terms and concepts of two distinct disciplines: law and politics. It introduces fundamental concepts such as legal rules, authority, sovereignty, the state, rights, constitutionalism, and the rule of law. Law and Politics also offers complementary approaches to the complex and often controversial relationship between law and politics.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Introduction to the Course: Information on Examinations and Evaluation
2nd Week Society, Social Order, Law, and Politics: A General Overview of Their Relationship
3rd Week The Definition of Law, Its Distinction from Other Rules of Social Conduct, and the Relationship between Law and Justice
4th Week Sources of Law
5th Week Legal Systems around The World
6th Week Public and Private Law: Sub-Branches, Core Institutions, and Key Concepts I
7th Week Midterm Exam
8th Week Public and Private Law: Sub-Branches, Core Institutions, and Key Concepts II
9th Week The State: Introduction and Approaches
10th Week The Three Fundamental Organs of the State: Structures and Functions I
11th Week The Three Fundamental Organs of the State: Structures and Functions II
12th Week Correlation between Constitutionalism and Democracy
13th Week The General Principles of Constitutional Law
14th Week Constitutional Rights
Recommended or Required ReadingLoughlin, M., Sword and Scales: An Examination of the Relationship Between Law and Politics, Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2000.
Aybay, R., An Introduction to Law, Updated and Revised 16th Edition, Der Yayınları, 2025.
Saygın, E., Introduction to Law in a Nutshell, 6th Edition, Adalet Yayınevi, 2024.
Gözler, K., İngilizce Karşılıklarıyla Hukukun Temel Kavramları, 22. Baskı, Ekin, 2024.

Recommended readings:
Özbudun, E., Anayasalcılık ve Demokrasi, Yetkin, 2019.
Hart, H. L. A., The Concept of Law, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1961.
Bellamy, R., Political Constitutionalism, Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Kapani, M., Politika Bilimine Giriş, Ankara: Bilgi Yayınevi, 59. Baskı, Serbest Akademi, 2020.
Lane, J. E., Constitutions and Political Theory, Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1996.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Questions/Answers
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 40
Total(%) 40
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 40
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 60
Total(%) 100
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam 1 1 1
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 38 38
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 1.15 1.15
Homework
Total Work Load150.15
Total Work Load / 30 (h)5
ECTS Credit of the Course5
Language of InstructionEnglish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

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