PSIR210 THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Course Code:3540210
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:6.0
Department:Political Science and International Relations
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Undergraduate
Course Coordinator:Assist.Prof.Dr HAYRİYE KAHVECİ
Offered Semester:Fall and Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives

 PSIR 210 Theories of International Relations is an introductory undergraduate course covering main theoretical issues and debates in International Relations.  The focus is on the modern world from World War I onward and on recent theorizing about international relations. There are no prerequisites for taking the course however students should refresh their memories of PSIR 110 International History. It should provide a solid grounding for other courses in international politics and modern history.


Course Content

This course provides a systematic and comprehensive survey of contending theories of international relations with a special reference to important theoretical debates between idealist vs realist, traditionalist vs behavioralist and realist vs neo-realist approaches. The course will also address the central assumptions and key concepts of these theoretical perspectives.


Course Learning Outcomes

a) to enable the students to critically assess the discipline of international relations and its relation to other fields of social science;  b) to provide analytical skills to evaluate different theories of IR; c) to explain the relation between the theory and practice of international relations. 


Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1Having academic knowledge in Political Science and International relations disciplines
2Developing an interdisciplinary perspective incorporating other areas of the social sciences as well
3Being capable of evaluating political, economic and social matters at local, national and international levels
4Being capable of making sense of, follow and analyze political, economic and social events
5Being sensitive to global, environmental and social problems
6Developing a critical mind capable of making constructive criticisms, open to lifelong learning, researching, inquiring, questioning and problems solving
7Being capable of individual work, entrepreneur, good time management and able to actively take part in group work for common purposes
8Having effective communication skills in Turkish and English languages
9Being capable of using communication technologies in reaching to information and organizing and presenting this information in a systematic way

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution