Contemporary International Problems(Seminar Course)(RI-615)
| Course Code | Course Name | Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credit | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RI-615 | Contemporary International Problems(Seminar Course) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Prerequisites | |
| Admission Requirements |
| Language of Instruction | French |
| Course Type | Compulsory |
| Course Level | Masters Degree |
| Course Instructor(s) | Feride Selcan SERDAROĞLU POLATAY sserdaroglu@gsu.edu.tr (Email) |
| Assistant | |
| Objective | This seminar is designed to develop the skills necessary for writing a Master's thesis in International Relations according to academic standards. It encompasses fundamental stages, including source identification and research, conceptualization, and creating a structured writing plan. The emphasis is placed on qualitative research methods. |
| Content | Texts detailing the development and transformation stages of methodologies in international relations are read and discussed interactively. We explore various conceptual and theoretical approaches, including topic selection, formulation of research questions, literature reviews, hypothesis formulation, content or discourse analysis models, and types of research plans. Case studies are examined to provide a tangible understanding of these analytical methods. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
The student who successfully completes this course; 1- Learns which discussions are taking place in the world within the framework of the methodological problems of the discipline of international relations. 2- Acquires knowledge about qualitative international relations methods. 3- Is prepared for practical studies such as determining research questions, literature review, hypothesis formation, and writing scientific articles and master's thesis. |
| Teaching and Learning Methods | The seminar initially involves reading and discussing specific studies on the history of the International Relations discipline, global approaches, and various research and analysis methods. Subsequently, practical exercises are conducted to apply these methods. |
| References |
- Amitav Acharya, Barry Buzan, "Why is there no non-Western international relations theory? An introduction", International Relations of the Asia-Pacific Vol. 7, No. 3, 2007, 287-312. - Ersel Aydınlı, Julie Mathews, "Are the Core and Periphery Irreconcilable? The Curious World of Publishing in Contemporary International Relations", International Studies Perspectives, Vol. 1, No. 3, 2002, 289-303. - Ersel Aydınlı (Der.), Uluslararası İlişkilerde Metodoloji, İstanbul: Koç Üniversitesi Yayınları, 2022. - Luigi Curini, Robert Franzese, The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations, SAGE, 2020. - Peter M. Kristensen, "How Can Emerging Powers Speak? On Theorists, Native Informants and Quasi-Officials in International Relations Discourse", Third World Quarterly, Vol. 36, No. 4, 2015, 637-653. - Christopher Lamont, Research Methods in International Relations, SAGE, 2015. |
Theory Topics
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Course presentation |
| 2 | I- Methodological Issues in International Relations: A- Are International Relations a social science? Debates on methodology |
| 3 | B- Western/Non-Western distinction and legitimacy in scientific research |
| 4 | C- International Relations in Turkey |
| 5 | II- Research Ethics |
| 6 | III- Question-Based Research in International Relations A- Literature review |
| 7 | B- Research design: identifying variables and their relationships / causality and correlation |
| 8 | IV- Content Analysis: The issue of coding |
| 9 | V- Use of Web Data |
| 10 | VI- Discourse Analysis 1 |
| 11 | VII- Game Theory |
| 12 | VIII- Large-N Analysis |
| 13 | IX- Field Research, Case Analysis |
| 14 | X- Writing the Research |
Practice Topics
| Week | Weekly Contents |
|---|
Contribution to Overall Grade
| Number | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Toplam | 0 | 0 |
In-Term Studies
| Number | Contribution | |
|---|---|---|
| Toplam | 0 | 0 |
| No | Program Learning Outcomes | Contribution | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 1 | Must have widened his/her knowledge acquired through the bachelor`s degree; | X | ||||
| 2 | Must have developed a multidimensional capacity of analysis from his/her master on political science and his philosophy, history, law, economy, sociology, required by International Relations discipline`s multidisciplinary and multidimensional nature; | X | ||||
| 3 | Should be able to put into practice the theoretical knowledge at the specialist level; | X | ||||
| 4 | Should be able to determine an area of specialization on a particular theme and or/region, broaden MA studies in relation with this choice, increase his/her capacity of analysis; | X | ||||
| 5 | Should be capable of mastering research methods at a specialist level and evaluate data obtained from research in line with scientific principles; | X | ||||
| 6 | In the light of Galatasaray University’s institutional links with Europe, must have developed the ability to contribute to Turkey’s accession process to the EU in a concrete manner; | |||||
| 7 | Must have reached the necessary level of competence and knowledge to be able to work at various academic and/or international organizations | X | ||||
| 8 | Should be able to follow national and international publications in his/her field and also possess necessary linguistic skills (French, English, Turkish) and knowledge in order to contribute to these publications; | X | ||||
| 9 | Should have developed researcher’s skills and for this purpose, use his/her knowledge and abilities in an effective manner through qualitative and quantitative analyses. | X | ||||
| Activities | Number | Period | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Workload | 0 | ||
| Total Workload / 25 | 0.00 | ||
| Credits ECTS | 0 | ||