International Relations (English) Preview
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code:

UNI440

Course Name:

Political Literacy

Semester:

Fall
Spring

Course Credits:

ECTS

Language of instruction:

English

Course Condition:

Does the Course Require Work Experience?:

Type of course:

University Elective

Course Level:

Bachelor

TR-NQF-HE:6. Master`s Degree

QF-EHEA:First Cycle

EQF-LLL:6. Master`s Degree

Mode of Delivery:

Face to face

Course Coordinator:

Prof. Dr. OSMAN CAN ÜNVER

Course Lecturer(s):

Osman Can Ünver

Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives:	The course objectives are to understand the political life with its structures, institutions and actors.
Course Content:	This course contends the understanding of political systems, ideologies, political life and institutions, key political actors, civic engagement, media literacy and public opinion, and the influence of world affairs.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1) Understand foundational political concepts and structures
2) Analyze the functions of the political system
3) Recognize different political ideologies and political outcomes by different political institutions and actors
4) Critically evaluate political arguments and processes
5) Develop civic awareness and democratic participation skills

Course Flow Plan

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to political literacy: Course overview, importance of political literacy, key concepts and terminology, expectations and assessments.
2)	Types of political systems, historical developments, separation of powers and checks and balances
3)	Political ideologies: Yesterday and today; Political ethics and political polarization
4)	Civic culture and advocacy: The role of media and media literacy
5)	Electoral systems, proportional representation, influencing voters and vice-versa, critical analysis of elections
6)	Political parties, interest/pressure groups.
7)	Mid-Term
8)	Public policy and administration: Policy-making process, implementation and evaluation, public perceptions
9)	Human rights and social justice: Realities and expectancies
10)	International relations and current global affairs: Political analysis and influences in domestic and foreign policy: Public perceptions
11)	Case studies of major political events
12)	Student presentations
13)	Student presentations
14)	Student presentations
15)	revision
15)	revision
16)	final week

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:	Gabriel Almond/Sidney Verba (1989), The Civic Culture. Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations. Sage Publications. Newbury Park
References:	Gabriel Almond/Sidney Verba (1989), The Civic Culture. Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations. Sage Publications. Newbury Park

Course - Program Learning Outcome Relationship

Course Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
Program Outcomes
1) Has knowledge about basic theoretical debates in the field of International Relations.
2) Defines contemporary developments, approaches and basic concepts in the field of International Relations at national and international level.
3) Relates the interaction of the Department of International Relations with other social sciences (history, political science, law, economy).
4) Gains knowledge and skills to evaluate and discuss the events in an interdisciplinary dimension, and analyze the political, social and economic problems encountered in national and international contexts within a certain conceptual framework.
5) Using social sciences methods, can conduct research and follow the field.
6) Uses leadership characteristics with awareness of teamwork.
7) Can design and prepare scientific projects such as projects, reports, articles and theses with their own or others with uses qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
8) Develops behavior according to ethics and social values and evaluates what they have learned by deciding what he/she needs and critically question the information has acquired.
9) Transmits the opinions, thoughts and solutions in the field of International Relations to the related persons and institutions in written and orally.
10) Follows the developments in the field and communicates with colleagues by using a foreign language at least at the level of European Language Portfolio B1.
11) Uses information and communication technologies together with computer software at the advanced level of European Computer Driving License required by the field.

Course - Learning Outcome Relationship

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Average	3 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Has knowledge about basic theoretical debates in the field of International Relations.
2)	Defines contemporary developments, approaches and basic concepts in the field of International Relations at national and international level.
3)	Relates the interaction of the Department of International Relations with other social sciences (history, political science, law, economy).
4)	Gains knowledge and skills to evaluate and discuss the events in an interdisciplinary dimension, and analyze the political, social and economic problems encountered in national and international contexts within a certain conceptual framework.
5)	Using social sciences methods, can conduct research and follow the field.
6)	Uses leadership characteristics with awareness of teamwork.
7)	Can design and prepare scientific projects such as projects, reports, articles and theses with their own or others with uses qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
8)	Develops behavior according to ethics and social values and evaluates what they have learned by deciding what he/she needs and critically question the information has acquired.
9)	Transmits the opinions, thoughts and solutions in the field of International Relations to the related persons and institutions in written and orally.
10)	Follows the developments in the field and communicates with colleagues by using a foreign language at least at the level of European Language Portfolio B1.
11)	Uses information and communication technologies together with computer software at the advanced level of European Computer Driving License required by the field.

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Quizzes	1	% 20
Homework Assignments	1	% 40
Presentation	1	% 20
Midterms	1	% 20
total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		%
total		% 100

Workload and ECTS Credit Calculation

Activities	Number of Activities	Workload
Course Hours	12	36
Presentations / Seminar	6	12
Homework Assignments	13	38
Quizzes	7	21
Midterms	2	6
Total Workload		113