ADM5168 MODERN DISCOURSES ON THE POLITICAL
| Course Code: | 3105168 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Political Science and Public Adm. |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. AYLİN TOPAL |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to delineate the concept <the political> by tracing the rupture between classical political theory (concerned with constitutions and institutions) and modern discourses focused on micropolitics, violence, and exclusion. It also aims to revisit modern thinkers by evaluating their reframing of foundational concepts like emancipation, justice and democracy in an age of multiple crises.
Course Content
One of the distinguishing aspects of the 20th century political thought is the apparent plurality and diversity in dealing with the meaning of the political. Such diversity is rich in attributing various contents to the category of the political and the differences among these approaches cannot easily be reduced anymore to the contours of 19th century ideologies of liberalism, conservatism and marxism. Is there a specific and independent realm called the political that can be differentiated from the economical, cultural or ideological?
Course Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Demonstrate mastery of how 20th and 21st-century political thought has redefined foundational concepts (sovereignty, democracy, violence) beyond classical frameworks.
Critically evaluate claims about the "end" or "transformation" of traditional political categories (e.g., the nation-state, class struggle, revolutionary change).
Debate tensions between universalist political projects (human rights, cosmopolitanism) and particularist claims (identity politics, local autonomies)
Apply conceptual tools from critical political theory (e.g., biopolitics, necropolitics, intersectionality) to analyze contemporary governance practices and social movements.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | The ability to interpret and assess the ways in which power is generated and used socially, institutionally, economically and culturally at the local, national and international levels. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | The ability to conduct interdisciplinary studies and research when assessing the social phenomena in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To attain a sound formation regarding the basic topics, like state-society relations, history of political thought, organisational theory, Turkish politics and comparative politics, in the field of Political Science and Public Administration. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | The ability to use the classical and new approaches in social sciences comprehensively and critically. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To acquire the methodological knowledge and scientific skills which would enhance the capacity to conduct scientific research and produce publications including a M.S. thesis. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | The ability to evaluate the different dimensions of the problems in the policy areas which are studied through the use of different theoretical perspectives and to develop strategies on this basis. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | To uphold ethical principles in science, academy and life. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | To approach the issues by an independent, critical and inventive cognitive orientation, which could also support the professional career development. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution