COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: KEY THEMES IN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
PIR 104 B 2 3 0 0 3 5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Dea Elmasllari , 13:30-16:15
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Classroom and Meeting Time: E312, 13:30-16:15
Course Description: The course aims to introduce students to classics of political thought, starting from Socrates to Machiavelli. Themes related to politics, justice, state, governing, and others, will be dealt from the perspective of political philosophers. Their different point of views will be examined from the perspective of their context on which they developed, while trying to make a link with still present relevance and importance of these concepts and ideas. Students will be equipped with knowledge and skills to evaluate these ideas from their own perspective, while reflecting in today’s world.
Course Objectives: The successful student will, by the end of this module, be able to: • Identify different approaches to politics in terms of the philosophical and theoretical perspectives that underlie them. • Understand and compare the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches in politics and political philosophy. • Identify the arguments of different thinkers in the history of political thought in terms of how they inform current theory and debates.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction to the course and topics
2 Socrates
3 Plato I
4 Plato II
5 Aristotle I
6 Aristotle II
7 Ancient Greek Political Thought and Midterm Revision
8 Midterm
9 Cicero
10 St. Augustine
11 Aquinas
12 Marsilius of Padua
13 Machiavelli
14 Roman Political Thought and Final Revision
Prerequisite(s): Our course focuses on the discussion of dynamic ideas. Every student is responsible for the required readings/Power Point presentations and is expected to attend each class prepared to join in our discussions. Course essays should be submitted by e-mail within the deadline. Attendance will be taken during each class. Final grades will be determined on the basis of combined grades from two exams, essay examinations, presentations and your participation and attendance throughout the semester.
Textbook: David Boucher and Paul Kelly: Political thinkers - from Socrates to the present, Oxford, 2017. Additional: Plato, Republic; Aristotle, Politics; Machiavelli, The Prince. Optional readings on corresponding philosophers will be provided during the lectures.
Other References:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Ability to identify the main contribution of classical philosophers to political thought.
2 Ability to link and compare different perspectives of political philosophers on political concepts.
3 Ability to argue and discuss about political issues from a theoretical and critical perspective.
4 Ability to create critical thinking in political thought.
5 Ability to use political concepts, given by classical philosophers, to study politics in contemporary world.
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) (Old) Program
1 Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources. 5
2 Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches. 5
3 Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects. 5
4 Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions. 3
5 Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations. 5
6 Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently. 5
7 Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena. 3
8 Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones. 2
9 Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles. 2
10 Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge. 1
11 Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments. 2
12 Having consciousness about human rights and environment. 2
13 Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning. 5
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
25
Presentation
1
10
Project
1
20
Final Exam
1
35
Attendance
10
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 14 3 42
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Assignments 0
Final examination 1 20 20
Other 1 5 5
Total Work Load:
125
Total Work Load/25(h):
5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
5