Kocaeli University / European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Name of Lecturer(s)

Associate Prof. Dr. Zafer YILDIRIM

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
Program Competencies-Learning Outcomes Relation

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1) Evaluate the birth and development of the international relations discipline.
2) Comment on the concepts of nation, people, state, government, sovereignty, politics, foreign policy, international relations and international policy.
3) Recognize and analyze the actors of international relations (the state, individual, pressure groups, the media, international organizations, international groups and multinational corporations)
4) Evaluate the factors which determine foreign policy (i.e national power, the international system, approaches to decision making) in detail.
5) Recognize the foreign policy objectives of states.
6) Analyze the foreign policy choices of states such as Isolationism, Neutrality, Non-Alignment and forming alliances.
7) Evaluate the tools and methods that states use when carrying out their foreign policy.

Program Competencies-Learning Outcomes Relation

		Program Competencies
		1	2	3	4	5	6
Learning Outcomes
	1	Middle	High	Middle	High	High	Middle
	2	Middle	Middle	Middle	Middle	High	Middle
	3	Middle	High	Middle	High	High	Middle
	4	Middle	High	High	High	High	Middle
	5	Middle	High	Middle	High	Middle	Middle
	6	Middle	Middle	Middle	High	High	High
	7	Middle	High	Middle	High	Middle	Middle

Mode of Delivery

Face to Face

Prerequisites and Co-Requisites

None

Recommended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

In this course, the emergence of the international relations discipline, its main concepts and actors, factors that determine foreign policy, foreign policy choices of states and foreign policy tools and methods will be taught in detail.

Weekly Schedule

1) The birth of the international relations discipline and its historical development
2) The concepts of nation, people, state, government, sovereignty, politics, foreign policy, international relations and international policies
3) The definition of international actor, state, individual, pressure groups and the media
4) International organizations: universal organizations, global organizations and regional organizations/transnational organizations/international groups and corporations
5) National power: The quantitive factors (geography, natural resources, economic capacity, military preparation level, population) and qualitative factors (national character, national moral, type of diplomacy, type of government)
6) The system and international system/M.Kaplan's international system typologies (balance of power system, loose bipolar system, universal system, hierarchical system and unit veto system)
7) The decision making approach as one of the elements that determine foreign policy and factors that affect decision making
8) Midterm examination/Assessment
9) Foreign policy objectives of states (existential ideals, security, long term geopolitical and ideological goals, status quo and imperialist objectives)
10) The foreign policy choices of isolationism and neutrality
11) The foreign policy choices of non-alignment and alliance-building
12) 'Diplomacy' as a foreign policy method
13) 'International Deliberation' as a foreign policy method of states
14) 'Propaganda' as a foreign policy method of states/economic relations which hold an important part in states' foreign policy methods and economic sanctions
15) Conflict and war
16) Final examination

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Contribution of Midterm Examination to Course Grade	30%
Contribution of Final Examination to Course Grade	70%
Total	100%

Language of Instruction

Turkish

Work Placement(s)

Not Required

Course Unit Title	Course Unit Code	Type of Course Unit	Level of Course Unit	Year of Study	Semester	ECTS Credits
Introduction To International Relations	ULI116	Compulsory	Bachelor's degree	1	Spring	4