TR EN

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code Name of the Course Unit Semester In-Class Hours (T+P) Credit ECTS Credit
POL109 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE 2 3 3 4

GENERAL INFORMATION

Language of Instruction : English
Level of the Course Unit : BACHELOR'S DEGREE, TYY: + 6.Level, EQF-LLL: 6.Level, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course : Compulsory
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit -
Coordinator of the Course Unit Assist.Prof. TUĞBA AKMAN KAPLAN
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit
Course Prerequisite No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS

Objectives of the Course Unit: Objective of the course is to teach general concepts related to political science to provide independent thought and to convey basic information about political life to students.
Contents of the Course Unit: The contents of the course include; the meaning of concepts such as politics, power, legitimacy and authority; birth of modern state; nationalism; contemporary political ideologies; different forms of government such as democracy and authoritarianism; political culture; the organization and functioning of legislative and executive bodies; political parties; interest groups.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)

List ideas, thoughts, theories and approaches in political science.
Identify the elements of political science.
Recall and spell the theories, thinkers, and developments that are accepted as the basis for political science and its subdisciplines.

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY

Week Preparatory Topics(Subjects) Method
1 - General Introduction, Political concepts (Preliminary information on the basic concepts of course and the content) -
2 Reading and literature review What is Politics? Different definitions of Politics. Definition of Political Science and basic approaches. Definition of concepts such as Model-Theory and Paradigm and their relation with political science Lecture, discussion
3 Reading and literature review Politics and State? Different definitions of state. Duty of state. Threats on the sovereignty of state Lecture, discussion
4 Reading and literature review What is Democracy? Types of Democracy, different approaches on democracy Lecture, discussion
5 Reading and literature review Legitimacy Lecture, discussion
6 Reading and literature review Governments, Systems, Regimes Lecture, discussion
7 Reading and literature review Political Parties and Preparation for exam: General and comparative review of subjects. Repetition of common points Lecture, discussion
8 - MID-TERM EXAM -
9 Reading and literature review Party Systems Lecture, discussion
10 Reading and literature review Representation Lecture, discussion
11 Reading and literature review Elections and Voting Lecture, discussion
12 Reading and literature review Groups, Interests and Movements Lecture, discussion
13 Reading and literature review A Crisis in Politics Lecture, discussion
14 Reading and literature review Political Ideologies (Liberalism and Conservatism) Lecture, discussion
15 Reading and literature review Political Ideologies (Socialism and Preparation for exam: General and comparative review of subjects. Repetition of common points) Lecture, discussion
16 - FINAL EXAM -
17 - FINAL EXAM -

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING

Andrew Heywood, Politics, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014
Roskin, M. G. Political Science: An Introduction, Pearson Education, 2016
Robert, Garner, Introduction to Politics, Oxford University Press, 4th edi., 2020
Runciman, David, Politics, Profile Books, 2014

ASSESSMENT

Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities Number of Activities Degree of Contribution (%) Description
Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5

CONTRIBUTION OF THE COURSE UNIT TO THE PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

KNOWLEDGE

Theoretical

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to identify the main characteristics of literary movements such as modernism, postmodernism, and postcolonialism during the process of analysing a literary text verbally or in an essay.
0
2
The graduate will be able to relate language structure to its functions in a literary text.
0
3
The graduate will be able to explain and generate ideas on literary texts or visual work such as films.
2
4
The graduate will be able to identify the language and the writing style of a wide range of authors, poets, and playwrights from different periods.
0

KNOWLEDGE

Factual

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to explain the key terms and concepts associated with language, literature, and culture.
0
2
The graduate will be able to historically categorise various centuries or periods of time such as the Renaissance or the 20th century according to the literary, theoretical, social, and political developments reflected in literary texts.
2

SKILLS

Cognitive

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to compare and contrast characteristics of different literary genres.
0
2
The graduate will be able to interpret literary works produced in various cultures with different ethnical background.
0
3
The graduate will be able to compare and contrast different periods of time such as the Middle Ages and the Victorian Era in accordance with their distinctive literary, theoretical, social, and political background verbally or in an essay.
0

SKILLS

Practical

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to apply literary theories and develop argument of their own in the process of writing a research paper.
0
2
The graduate will be able to formulate a sophisticated argument/thesis in compliance with the ethical requirements needed to avoid plagiarism during the process of writing a research paper.
0
3
The graduate will be able to apply research skills to gather, organise, and present information skills in a research paper.
0
4
The graduate will be able to employ translation methods while translating a text from English to Turkish or vice versa.
0

OCCUPATIONAL

Autonomy & Responsibility

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to organise occupational and academic activities including meeting, seminars, and conferences.
0

OCCUPATIONAL

Learning to Learn

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to determine his or her own learning requirements and goals to develop sustainable attitude towards life-long learning.
0

OCCUPATIONAL

Communication & Social

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to develop effective oral and written communication skills in English.
0

OCCUPATIONAL

Occupational and/or Vocational

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
The graduate will be able to appraise and criticise development of the social rights, democracy, social justice, gender and racial identity, cultural and ethical values.
5

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT

Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities

Type of the Learning Activites Learning Activities (# of week) Duration (hours, h) Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities 14 3 42
Preliminary & Further Study 13 4 52
Land Surveying 0 0 0
Group Work 0 0 0
Laboratory 0 0 0
Reading 0 0 0
Assignment (Homework) 0 0 0
Project Work 0 0 0
Seminar 0 0 0
Internship 0 0 0
Technical Visit 0 0 0
Web Based Learning 0 0 0
Implementation/Application/Practice 0 0 0
Practice at a workplace 0 0 0
Occupational Activity 0 0 0
Social Activity 0 0 0
Thesis Work 0 0 0
Field Study 0 0 0
Report Writing 0 0 0
Final Exam 1 1 1
Preparation for the Final Exam 1 3 3
Mid-Term Exam 1 1 1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam 1 3 3
Short Exam 0 0 0
Preparation for the Short Exam 0 0 0
TOTAL 31 0 102
Total Workload of the Course Unit 102
Workload (h) / 25.5 4
ECTS Credits allocated for the Course Unit 4,0