Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü
International relations is one of the most popular study areas for international students. It is the study of international problems and issues, which cover political, economic, military, technological, cultural and environmental subjects. Students enrolled in the BSc program are required to complete forty basic courses with 120 credits and the internship at the end of the third year which must be minimum of 30 calendar days. Students are, in addition, required to obtain a pass in Turkish language and National History in order to fulfill the requirements of this balanced program.
Courses of the department include political science, law, diplomacy, international politics, geopolitics, geostrategy, political history and political thought, European studies, international organizations, economics, business as well as regional area studies focusing on important regions of the world politics. On completing the program, the students are expected to acquire competency in conceptual and historical information regarding international social and political phenomena, critical and analytical thinking, the development of oral communication, written, and research skills in English, an inter-disciplinary approach to both regional and global conflicts as well as conflict resolution strategies, and theoretical and practical capability for development of leadership, team-work, decision making, and problem solving skills.
Successful graduates of the programme will have the opportunity to seek employment in diplomatic areas, public institutions, international organisations, private companies with international connections, media as well as universities and strategic research organisations.
BUS101 (3,0)3 Intro. to Business & Mgmt.
COMP103 (3,0)3 Computer Applications l
PSYC100 (3,0)3 Psychology
POLS101 (3,0)3 Introduction to Political Science
EGL101 (3,0)3 Development of Reading Skills
NH001 NC National History
Spring Semester
IRE102 (3,0)3 Intro. To International Relations
COMP104 (3,0)3 Computer Applications ll
HIS104 (3,0)3 World History & Civilizations
SOCY100 (3,0)3 Sociology
EGL102 (3,0)3 Development of Writing Skill
NH002 NC National History II
Year 2
Fall Semester
BUS211 (3,0)3 Microeconomics
IRE201 (3,0)3 Comparative Politics I
BUS205 (3,0)3 Statistics I
PUB203 (3,0)3 Intro. To Law
CS201 (3,0)3 Communication Skills I
TURK001 NC Turkish I
Spring Semester
BUS212 (3,0)3 Macroeconomics
IRE204 (3,0)3 Comparative Politics II
IRE208 (3,0)3 International Relations Theory
IRE206 (3,0)3 Third World Politics
CS202 (3,0)3 Communication Skills II
TURK002 NC Turkish II
Year 3
Fall Semester
POLS301 (3,0)3 European Political History
IRE301 (3,0)3 International Organizations
IRE305 (3,0)3 History & Politics of Middle East
IRE309 (3,0)3 International Law
(3,0)3 Departmental Elective
(3,0)3 Non-Departmental Elective
Spring Semester
IRE302 (3,0)3 History & Politics of Balkans
IRE312 (3,0)3 Foreign Policy Analysis
IRE308 (3,0)3 Global Peace & Security
POLS304 (3,0)3 Political Ideologies
(3,0)3 Departmental Elective
(3,0)3 Non-Departmental Elective
STJ 030 NC Internship -30 calendar days
Year 4
Fall Semester
POLS401 (3,0)3 Political Sociology
POLS407 (3,0)3 Global Political Economy
IRE403 (3,0)3 Turkish Diplomatic History & Foreign Politics
IRE405 (3,03)3 International Politics of Cyprus
(3,0)3 Departmental Elective
(3,0)3 Non-Departmental Elective
Spring Semester
IRE404 (3,0)3 EU Studies
IRE408 (3,0)3 Conflict Studies & Dis. Sett.
POLS414 (3,0)3 Contemporary Human Rights
(3,0)3 Departmental Elective
(3,0)3 Departmental Elective
(3,0)3 Non-Departmental Elective
Departmental Electives:
IRE411 (3,0)3 Post Cold War International Relations
IRE415 (3,0)3 Turkey-EU Relations
IRE412 (3,0)3 US Foreign Policy
IRE419 (3,0)3 Research Methods
IRE420 (3,0)3 Graduation Project
IRE304 (3,0)3 The Caucasus & Central Asia
POLS302 (3,0)3 Political Psychology
POLS303 (3,0)3 Turkish Politics
POLS408 (3,0)3 Media Politics
POLS409 (3,0)3 Nation State & Nationalism
POLS410 (3,0)3 Gender Politics
POLS412 (3,0)3 Theories of Democracy
POLS414 (3,0)3 International Environmental Politics
POLS416 (3,0)3 Theoriesof State
Non-Departmental Electives:
ECON318 (3,0)3 Labour Economics
ECON408 (3,0)3 Turkish Economics
ECON415 (3,0)3 Environmental Economics
BUS306 (3,0)3 Management Information Systems
Service Courses:
(3,0)3 Language Elective I
(3,0)3 Language Elective 2
International Relations Department Course Descriptions
IRE102 - Introduction to International Relations (3,0)3
This course introduces students to the structures and processes of international politics and surveys the major global issues of our time - nations, categories, and principles of international relations. The course focuses on the functions of the modern nation-state system and the patterns of conflict and co-operation in contemporary international relations. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of how the international political system works and help them develop their own perspective on global issues.
IRE201 - Comparative Politics I (3,0)3
Issues and concepts in comparative politics, political socialisation and culture; political recruitment and structure are reviewed. Interest groups and interest articulation as well as political parties, government and policy making are considered. The course also focuses on the politics, cultures, and political systems of the major European countries.
IRE204 - Comparative Politics II (3,0)3
This course deals with the history, culture administrative and political structure of various countries. The aim of this programme is to enable the students to use the concepts of comparative politics in order to analyse the concrete political backgrounds of countries of different economic and political settings. Case studies such as England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, China and America
IRE206 - Third World Politics (3,0)3
This course examines important features of politics; economics, society and culture in developing nations and focuses on common problems associated with political modernisation, economic development and social change in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Through comparative analysis, the course also attempts to develop generalisations about key problems and prospects in various regions of the developing world.
IRE208 - International Relations Theory (3,0)3
This course provides an analysis of the three important theoretical debates of international relations: Idealism / Realism, Traditionalism / Behaviourism and Realism/Neo-realism. The course also addresses the central assumptions and key concepts of various theories in international relations, with emphasis on concepts propositions and, the current critique.
IRE301 - International Organisations (3,0)3
This course focuses on the role played by international organisations in world politics. Most attention is given to international governmental organisations, such as the United Nations, the European Community, and other regional organisations. Non-governmental organisations from multinational corporations to the International Red Cross are discussed as well. The course investigates the extent to which all these organisations contribute to the development of a peaceful and just community of nations.
IRE302 - History & Politics of the Balkans (3,0)3
The course mainly concentrates on the effects of World War II on the politics and economics of the Balkans. The course also focuses on recent conflicts and developments in former Yugoslavia such as wars in Bosnia and Kosovo as well as the future EU prospects of the Western Balkan states.
IRE304 - The Caucasus & Central Asia (3,0)3
This course will cover the modern history of the countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia which obtained independence following the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991. These include the present states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in the Caucasus, and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Central Asia. The first part of the course will provide a historical background necessary to understand the problems of the post-Soviet period. The second part will analyze the radical transformations in the region following the collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequently will focus on major regional conflicts such as the Karabagh issue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the 2008 War between Georgia and Russia.
IRE305 - History & Politics of the Middle East (3,0)3
The course will focus on the formation of the modern Middle East, the legacy of the Ottoman Empire and the impact of colonialism, Arab nationalism, the ideological struggles, the oil politics, the power of stereotypes, tradition and modernization. The objectives of the course are to provide a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern politics with specific references to the region's economy, culture and society. Considering recent developments in the region, the course aims to study Middle Eastern politics within a broader context of international system, regional economic developments and bilateral relations among the regional countries, the Middle East and World Politics after 11 September and future prospects in the Palestinian-Israeli problem.
IRE308 - Global Peace & Security (3,0)3
In-depth study of issues related to global security of the XX-XXI century: proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, arms control and disarmament, international terrorism, regional conflicts, oil and energy problems in Politics, etc. The course will examine major trends, challenges and future prospects in the mentioned areas.
IRE309 - International Law (3,0)3
The nature and role of international law in the interaction of states. The basic terminology of international law. Problems of interpretation and enforcement. The relation between law and power; treaties and the legal basis of diplomacy, international organisations, international law and war, human rights under international law.
IRE403 - Turkish Diplomatic History & Foreign Politics (3,0)3
Ottoman Empire and Europe from the French Revolution until the end of World War II. Diplomacy and the Ottoman Empire. Tanzimat and the Young Turks. (Turkish students in Europe). Modernisation and Europeanisation. Pan-Islamism and nationalism. Ottoman Empire and Germany: World War I. The transition from a multi-national to a national state. Reform and revolution. Turkey during World War II. The one-party-state and Turkish foreign policy. The transition from one-party-state to a multi-party-system. Ismet Inönü and Turkish foreign policy. Right and left clashes and their effect on Turkish foreign policy. Turkey’s relationship with USA, Europe and the Middle East. Turkey and the European Union.
IRE404 - European Union Studies (3,0)3
Background of the European Union: Europe before and after World War II. The political framework of the European Union. Economic integration of the European Union, the social framework of the European Union, the external relationship of the European Union. The Single European Act. European Union beyond Maastricht.
IRE405 – International Politics of Cyprus (3,0)3
This course studies the Cyprus problem, initiating from discussions regarding to history of Cyprus, the Ottoman Rule, the British Rule, Republic of Cyprus to analysis regarding to 1974 Turkish Peace Operation and afterwards. The course also focuses on relatively contemporary issues including the establishment of the TRNC, the Annan Plan and the future while examining possible solutions to it and looks at the role of the international powers in finding a solution.
IRE408 - Conflict Studies & Dis. Sett. (3,0)3
This course looks at the economic/cultural/political and religious aspects of conflict and examines some theories, which prescribe solutions to these problems. The purpose of the course is to assist students in clarifying their own substantive views on conflict studies and dispute settlement. Specifically, the students will have broader and detailed knowledge about Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Cyprus problem, Human Rights issues and Kurdish Problem. The students are advised to take this course in their graduating year.
IRE411 - Post Cold War International Relations (3,0)3
This course is a survey of current developments, issues, and problem areas of international relations in the post Cold War era. The specific attention is given to the changing concept of security, new security agenda, and the emergence of complex issues, rise of ethnic conflicts, and the post 9/11.
IRE412 - US Foreign Policy (3,0)3
This course is a good application of international relations theories into real life. Students will be able to see how theory is and has been applied to real life by the only super-power of our time. How has the international system changed, and what are the effects of this on states today? What role did the US play on this change? These questions will be answered.
STJ 030 Internship (NC)
The internship is compulsory for the students at the end of third year. It’s period must be minimum of 30 calendar days and students are required to prepare a report.