Political History II (RI114) | GSÜ - ECTS Information Guide

Content

Objective

This course focuses on the history of international relations between the years of 1919 and 1991. It examines the seventy-year period from the end of the First World War to the end of the Cold War. Particularly, the course deals main dynamics and developments of international relations throughout the interwar period, the Second World War, the Cold War Periods in a chronological manner.

The main aim of the course is to enable students to evaluate historical events and developments of the 20th century in a way that can examine cause-effect relationships.

Course Content

Week 1 – Introduction and Background;
World and Europe after the 1st World War, Overview of politics, economy, society and culture, Great Depression, Rise and Fall of Democracy, Ideologies in Europe
Week 2 – The Road to Second World War
Spanish Civil War, Ethiopia Invasion, Austrian Annexation, Rearmament of Germany, Occupation of Czechoslovakia, Appeasement
Week 3 – Second World War (1)
Invasion of Poland, Formation of Blocs, Beginning of War in Europe, Western European Front, Eastern Front, War in the Pacific
Week 4 – Second World War (2)
End of the War in Europe, Japanese Surrender, Casualties and War Crimes, Yalta Conference, Potsdam Conference, Peace Accords
Week 5 – The Post Second World War World
Consequences of Second World War, Economic – Political Outlook, Rise of Superpowers, Divided Europe, United Nations

Week 6 – Mid Term Exam

Week 7 – Beggining of Cold War
Bipolar - New World Order, Factors Leading to the Cold War,
Iron Curtain, Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Berlin Blockade,
Week 8 – Cold War Era (1)
NATO, Warsaw Pact, Korean War, Rivalry Between Superpowers
Week 9 – Cold War Era (2)
Arms Race, Nuclear Weapons, Balance of Terror, Space Race,
Week 10 – Cold War Era (3)
Suez Crisis, Cuban Revolution, Cuban Missile Crisis,
Week 11 – Cold War Era (4)
Berlin Wall, Prague Spring, Vietnam War
Week 12 – Cold War Era (5)
Detente Period, SALT Agreements, Third World,
Week 13 – Cold War Era (6)
End of Detente Period, Afghanistan Invasion, Iran Crisis,
Week 14 – The End of the Cold War
Rise of Neoliberalism, Economic - Political Outlook,
Factors leading to the End of the Cold War, Dissolution of the USSR

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: - Gaining a chronological knowledge of the main events and developments in the political history of the 20th century,
- Developing an ability to examine relationships between political history events and developments,
- Developing the ability to examine today's international relations from a historical perspective,
- Acquiring an ability to establish links with other courses taken in the Department of International Relations,
- Developing a perspective over the method of the discipline of International Relations for dealing with historical events,

Weekly Contents

Theory Topics
Week	Weekly Contents
1	Week 1 – Interwar Period
2	Week 2 – The Road to Second World War
3	Week 3 – Second World War (1)
4	Week 4 – Second World War (2)
5	Week 5 – The Post Second World War World
6	Week 6 – Mid Term Exam / Project
7	Week 7 – Beggining of Cold War
8	Week 8 – Cold War Era (1)
9	Week 9 – Cold War Era (2)
10	Week 10 – Cold War Era (3)
11	Week 11 – Cold War Era (4)
12	Week 12 – Cold War Era (5)
13	Week 13 – Cold War Era (6)
14	Week 14 – The End of the Cold War

Assessment System

Contribution to Overall Grade
Activities	Number	Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade	7	40
Contribution of final exam to overall grade	1	60
Total	8	100

In-Term Studies
Activities	Number	Contribution
Assignments	6	30
Presentation	0	0
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	0	0
Project	1	10
Laboratory	0	0
Other Applications	0	0
Quiz	0	0
Term Paper/ Project	0	0
Portfolio Study	0	0
Reports	0	0
Learning Diary	0	0
Thesis/ Project	0	0
Seminar	0	0
Other	0	0
Make-up	0	0
Total	7	40

Relation of Proficiency

No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To have a detailed knowledge on the principal concepts, actors and components of the international system					X
2	To master the fundamentals such as history, law, economics, sociology and political science required by the multidisciplinary nature of International Relations					X
3	Pouvoir analyser la pratique à partir d’une infrastructure théorique assimilée				X
4	To have acquired the capability of specializing on a particular theme and/or region			X
5	In the light of Galatasaray University’s traditional and institutional links with Europe, to have developed the ability to contribute to Turkey’s accession process to the EU in a concrete manner
6	To interpret and explain Turkish foreign policy through its domestic components as well as from the perspective of the international system
7	To have reached the necessary level of competence to be able to undertake a career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as other state institutions and/or the private sector
8	Possess the required skills to work at various international organizations and NGOs
9	To be in perfect command of French, teaching language of Galatasaray University, and of English, its mandatory language, at the academic -with a view to write a thesis/project/book in the field of International Relations- as well as the professional level				X
10	To have the capacity to utilize the methodological instruments acquired throughout the studies at any conceptual and/or academic work				X

ECTS

Activities	Number	Period	Total Workload
Class Hours	14	3	42
Working Hours out of Class	10	1	10
Assignments	1	25	25
Midterm Examinations (including preparation)	1	10	10
Final Examinations (including preparation)	1	25	25
Total Workload			112
Total Workload / 25			4.48
Credits ECTS			4