Non-Thesis Master Program in International Relations

Conflict Resolution(RI-518)

Course Code Course Name Semester Theory Practice Lab Credit ECTS
RI-518 Conflict Resolution 1 3 0 0 3 8
Prerequisites
Admission Requirements
Language of Instruction Turkish
Course Type Compulsory
Course Level Masters Degree
Course Instructor(s) Feride Selcan SERDAROĞLU POLATAY sserdaroglu@gsu.edu.tr (Email)
Assistant
Objective The aim of this course is to analyze conflict situations in the IR, according to symmetrical and asymmetrical positions of actors and to study the conditions of cooperation. Within this framework, conflict factors, their interaction are also analyzed through non-cooperative game theory. Moreover, concepts like balance of power, hegemonic stability are explored as complementary tools.
Content See "Weekly Contents"
Course Learning Outcomes 1. To understand the concept of conflict within the framework of level-of-analysis
2. To analyse the decison-making process of actors by using the non-cooperative game theory
3. To analyse a concrete case by using the methodology taughed
4. To understand the relationship between conflict and cooperation
Teaching and Learning Methods Students are compelled to do lectures in French, English and Turkish in order to learn about the analysis methodology and then to use this knowledge by preparing presentations and papers.
References - Pierre Allan and Christian Schmidt, Game Theory and International Relations: Preferences, Information and Empirical Evidence, E. Elgar Publishing, 1994
- Tayyar Arı, Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorileri, Alfa, 2002
- Robert Axelrod (ed.), Donnant donnant. Une théorie du comportement coopératif, Editions Odile Jacob, Paris, 1992
- Robert Axelrod (ed.), The Complexity of Cooperation. Agent-Based Models of Competition and Collaboration, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1997
- Mustafa Aydın (der. Hans Günter Brauch, Necati Polat, Ursula Oswald Spring ve Mitat Çelikpala ile), Uluslararası İlişkilerde Çatışmadan Güvenliğe Okumalar, İstanbul, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi Yayınları, 2012
- Gülden Ayman, “Uluslararası İlişkilerde Problem Çözümü Yaklaşımı”, Faruk Sönmezoğlu (Der.), Uluslararası Politikada Yeni Alanlar, Yeni Bakışlar, Der Yayınları, İstanbul, 1998
- Jacob Bercovitch, Victor Kremenyuk et al., The SAGE Handbook of Conflict Resolution, Sage Publications, 2009
- Nimet Beriker, “Conflict Resolution. The Missing Link Between Liberal Relations Theory and Realistic Practice”, Dennis J.D. Sandole, Sean Byrne et al. (Der.), Handbook of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Routledge, 2009
- Scott Burchill, Andrew Linlater et al., Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorileri, Küre Yayınları, 2015
- John W. Burton, Conflict Resolution. Its Language and Processes, Rowman &Littlefield Publishers Inc., 1996
- Bernard Guerrien, La Théorie des jeux, Economica, Paris, 1995
- Ramazan Gözen (Der.), Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorileri, İletişim Yayınları, 2014
- Stathis N. Kalyvas, The Logic of Violence in Civil War, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2006
- Ho-Won Jeong (ed.), Conflict Resolution: Dynamics, Process and Structure, Ashgate Publishing, Aldershot, 1999
- Ho-Won Jeong (ed.), The New Agenda for Peace Research, Ashgate Publishing, Aldershot, 1999
- Mary Kaldor (ed.), Global Insecurity, Pinter, London, 2000
- David M. Kreps, Game Theory and Economic Modelling, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1990
Joseph Nye et al., (Der.), Küresel Çatışma ve İşbirliğini Anlamak, Türkiye İş Bankası Yayınları, İstanbul, 2013
- Anatol Rapoport, The Origins of Violence: Approaches to the Study of Conflict, Paragon House, New York, 1989
- Anatol Rapoport, Peace: An Idea, Whose Time Has Come, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, MI, 1992
- Graham Romp, Game Theory. Introduction and Applications, Oxford University Press, 1997
- Nicholas Sambanis, “What is Civil War? Conceptual and Empirical Complexities of an Operational Definition”, The Journal of Conflict Resolution, December 2004 vol. 48 no. 6, ss. 814-858
- Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, Harvard University Press, 1980
- Selcan Serdaroğlu, « Regional governance beyond the territorial sovereignty: a cooperation model for sustainable use of Tigris and Euphrates», in Howard Hensel (Dir.), Sovereignty and the Global Community.The Quest for Order in the International System, Cornwall, Ashgate Publishing Company, 2004, ss. 167-194.
- Selcan Serdaroğlu, “Thomas C. Schelling”, Erhan Büyükakıncı (Der.), Savaş Kuramları, Liberte Yayınları, Eylül 2015, ss. 690-713.
- John A. Vasquez (Der.), Beyond Confrontation: Learning Conflict Resolution in the Post-Cold War Era, University of Michigan Press, 1995
Print the course contents
Theory Topics
Week Weekly Contents
1 What is conflict? Definition in the IR
2 Conflict-based IR theories Realism-Neorealism (power and interest)
3 Geopolitics: from geographic and historical determinism to the clash of civilizations
4 Geopolitics seen from the other part of the world: Conflict axes according to Russia
5 Globalism (economic and social dimensions, center-periphery dichotomy)
6 Game theory 1 : Basics and non-cooperative game theory
7 Mid-term exam
8 Game theory 2: Non-cooperative game models
9 Game theory 3: How to apply game theory to analyze concrete international cases?
10 Confict resolution: Cooperation analysis based on game theory
11 Conflict analysis and resolution: concepts and conflict factors
12 Implementation of conflict resolution : from peace workshops to diplomatic, political and juridictional instruments; UN interventions (peace-making, peace-building, peace-keeping….)
13 Conflict cases and debate on resolution instruments 1
14 Conflict cases and debate on resolution instruments 2
Practice Topics
Week Weekly Contents
Contribution to Overall Grade
  Number Contribution
Contribution of in-term studies to overall grade 4 70
Contribution of final exam to overall grade 1 30
Toplam 5 100
In-Term Studies
  Number Contribution
Assignments 1 10
Presentation 1 10
Midterm Examinations (including preparation) 1 20
Project 0 0
Laboratory 0 0
Other Applications 0 0
Quiz 0 0
Term Paper/ Project 1 30
Portfolio Study 0 0
Reports 0 0
Learning Diary 0 0
Thesis/ Project 0 0
Seminar 0 0
Other 0 0
Toplam 4 70
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5
1 On top of the previously obtained BA degree, must have acquired the necessary competence required by the pluridisciplinarity of IR; X
2 Must be able to perfection himself/herself on and also specialize in research methods with a view to present work data in accordance with scientific criteria; X
3 Should be able to apply the acquired knowledge at a specialist’s level; X
4 Should be able to choose his/her specialization theme and/or region while perfectionning his/her work in accordance with this choice and improving his/her capacity of analysis; X
5 Must have acquired the necessary basic knowledge in order to undertake publications and programs on IR within printed and visual media; X
6 Should be able to pursue a career specialized in IR within the private sector and NGOs; X
7 Should be able to follow national and international publications in his/her field of research. X
Activities Number Period Total Workload
Class Hours 14 3 42
Working Hours out of Class 14 3 42
Assignments 2 20 40
Presentation 1 20 20
Midterm Examinations (including preparation) 1 20 20
Final Examinations (including preparation) 1 25 25
Total Workload 189
Total Workload / 25 7,56
Credits ECTS 8
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