Information Package
baskent.edu.tr

Program of Political Science and International Relations (English 30%)

PSIR416

POLITICAL THEORY

Course Code
PSIR416
Semester
Eighth Term (Spring)
Theory+Practice
3 + 0
ECTS
5
Course TypeCompulsory Course
Course LevelBachelor's Degree
Year of Study4
SemesterEighth Term (Spring)
ECTS5
Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

  1. Develop the ability to critically evaluate political theories with their epistemological origins and historical contexts.
  2. Develop a general perspective on issues and approaches within the scope of political theory.
  3. Develop an understanding of concepts and arguments of the prominent contemporary political theorists.
  4. Discuss how theory is related to practice.
  5. Analyse global social and political transformations through the perspective of political theory.
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
PrerequisitesNo
Recommended Optional Programme ComponentsThere is no recommended optional programme component for this course.
Course DescriptionThe aim of this course is to familiarize students with the basic concepts of political theory. In addition, this course aims to enable students to understand the debates in political theory through basic concepts. At the end of this course, students will gain the ability to critically analyze current political developments through the basic concepts discussed in the course. In addition, they will have knowledge about the conceptual debates that form the basis of political theory.
Course Contents
WEEK TOPICS
1st Week Course introduction
2nd Week The nature of the political, What is Political Theory?
3rd Week Historical development of political theory and main theoretical debates
4th Week The Problem of Human Nature in Political Theory: Individual or Community?
5th Week Power/Power, Authority, Legitimacy
6th Week State and Sovereignty
7th Week Midterm Exam
8th Week Freedom and Equality
9th Week Justice
10th Week Democracy
11th Week Alternatives to Liberal Political Theory
12th Week Populism, Nationalism, Fascism
13th Week Feminist Political Theory
14th Week Green Political Theory
Recommended or Required ReadingRequired Readings:
Heywood, Andrew and Clyton Chin, Political Theory: An Introduction. New York: Palgrave,
2023 (Fifth Edition).
Hoffman, John and Paul Graham. Introduction to Political Theory. (New York: Routledge, 2013).
Bahargava, Rajeev and Ashok Acharya. Political Theory: An Introduction. (Pearson, 2008)
Dana Villa (Ed.), Cambridge Companion to Hannah Arendt
Catherine Zuckert (Ed.) Political philosophy in the twentieth century: authors and arguments.
(Cambridge University Press, 2011)
Chantal Mouffe. On the Political (Routledge, 2005)
John Dryzek et al. Oxford Handbook of Political Theory (Oxford University Press, 2006)

Recommended Readings:
Küçükalp, Derda, Siyaset Felsefesi. İstanbul: Say Yayınları, 2011.
Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
  • Lecture
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Quantity Percentage (%)
Mid-term 1 45
Assignment 1 10
Total(%) 55
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) 55
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) 45
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 30 30
Course hours 14 3 42
Preparation for Midterm exam 1 25 25
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam 1 1.5 1.5
Homework 1 25 25
Total Work Load153
Total Work Load / 30 (h)5.1
ECTS Credit of the Course5
Language of InstructionTurkish
Work Placement(s)No

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

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