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Program Type: 
Thesis
Non Thesis
Course Code: 
POLS 529
Course Type: 
Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
8
Course Language: 
English
Course Objectives: 

Coined at the beginning of the 20th century, the concept of geopolitics has been understood, utilized and contested differently in different time periods and places. This course aims to introduce students with geopolitical thinking in world politics. It further aims to identify different types of geopolitical thinking emerged in different time periods and to discuss how they shape policies in distinct parts of the world.   

Course Content: 

The content that will be covered in this course includes two main topics. Firstly, the course focuses on different understandings of geopolitics through the examples of imperialist geopolitics, Cold War geopolitics, post-Cold War geopolitics, and critical geopolitics. Secondly, in discussing these different understandings, the course looks at cases such as Europe, Japan, China, the USA, and Russia. 

Teaching Methods: 
1: Lecture, 2: Discussion based lecture, 3: Case study, 4: Small group work, 5: Seminar, 6: Group work, 7: Research paper, 8: Oral presentation/exam, 9: Survey, 10: Panel, 11: Guest speaker, 12: Activities within a Student Body or Research Project.
Assessment Methods: 
A: Exam, B: Homework, C: Oral exam or presentation, D: Discussion.

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Program 

Learning Outcomes

Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
a.     Gaining knowledge about representatives of geopolitical thinking 1, 3, 5, 13 1,2,3,8 A,B,C, D
b.     Recognizing different types of geopolitical thinking 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 1,2,3,8 A,B,C, D
c.     Understanding the clashing viewpoints regarding geopolitics 3, 6, 7, 9, 13 1,2,3,8 A,B,C, D
d.     Analyzing the relationship between geopolitics and world politics 1, 2, 3, 11 1,2,3,8 A,B,C,D
  1. Comprehending the role of geopolitics in different contexts
 4, 6, 12 1,2,3,8 A,B,C,D

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week Topics Study Materials
1 Introduction to course Syllabus
2 An Introduction to Geopolitical Thinking in World Politics  General Introduction (Dittmer and Sharp)
3 Imperial Geopolitics I Introduction to Part One (Dittmer)

Chapter 1 (Mahan)

Chapter 2 (Mackinder)

4 Imperial Geopolitics II: Cases Chapter 10: Japan (Takeuchi)

Chapter 12: the USA (Dittmer)

5 Cold War Geopolitics I Introduction to Part Two (Dittmer)

Chapter 13 (Kennan)

Chapter 17 (Brezhnev)

6 Cold War Geopolitics II: Cases Chapter 20: Practical Geopolitics (O Tuathail and Agnew)

Chapter 22: Popular Geopolitics (Sharp)

7 MIDTERM EXAM -
8 Geopolitics after the Cold War I Introduction to Part Three (Sharp)

Chapter 26 (Huntington)

Chapter 27 (Said)

9 Geopolitics after the Cold War II: Cases Chapter 34: China (Agnew)
10 Geopolitics after the Cold War III: Cases Chapter 35: Europe (Bialasiewicz)
11 Reconceptualizing Geopolitics I Introduction to Part Four (Sharp)
12 Reconceptualizing Geopolitics II: Gender Chapter 41 (Dowler and Sharp)
13 Reconceptualizing Geopolitics III: Emotions Chapter 42 (Pain)
14 Reconceptualizing Geopolitics IV: Environment Chapter 49 (Dalby)
15 CONCLUDING REMARKS  

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbooks Dittmer, J. and Sharp, J. eds., 2014. Geopolitics: An Introductory Reader. Oxon: Routledge.
Additional Resources Agnew, J. 2003. Geopolitics: Revisioning World Politics. 2nd ed. London: Routledge.

Agnew, J; Mitchell, K., and O Tuathail, G., eds, 2003. A Companion to Political Geography. Victoria: Blackwell Publishing.

Dodds, K. and Atkinson, D. eds., 2000. Geopolitical Traditions: A Century of Geopolitical Thought. London: Routledge. 

Dodds, K. 2005. Global Geopolitics: A Critical Introduction. Essex: Pearson.

O Tuathail, G., Dalby, S., and Routledge, P. eds., 1998. The Geopolitics Reader. London: Routledge. 

O Tuathail, G. and Dalby, S. eds., 1998. Rethinking Geopolitics. London: Routledge.

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents University Library
Assignments Getting prepared for discussion questions and presentations
Exams Midterm, Final

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Mid-term 1 30
Discussion, presentation, homework 12 40
Total   70
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE  1 30
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE   70
Total   100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5  
1 To demonstrate the ability to specialize and expand knowledge in the fields of political science, international relations, comparative politics, Turkish politics and foreign policy.         x  
2 The ability to comprehend the interdisciplinary quality of the political science and international relations discipline.         x  
3 A command of basic research models and approaches of political science and international relations discipline and the ability to apply them in academic research and project design.   x        
4 Having the ability to assess and interpret the different political and societal systems with an interdisciplinary approach.       x    
5 Having a command of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and abiding by the highest levels of academic and research ethics. x          
6 The ability to present and debate an issue that requires specialization in the field of political science and international relations. The ability to discuss this issue within an intellectual framework, and the ability to express oneself in a professional and academic manner.         x  
7 The ability to analyze and critically evaluate basic research models, approaches and intellectual traditions in the field of political science, international relations.       x    
8 The ability to utilize academic writing and presentation skills to projects, dissertations and articles.     x      
9 Having advanced reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in the English language.       x    
10 Having the ability to apply knowledge of political science and international relations discipline to information technologies and traditional tools so as to produce sound solutions to problems. x          
11 Possessing experience and social skills necessary for employment in the public and private sectors and/or being admitted to a competitive Ph.D. program.     x      
12 Having empathy towards diverse and differing communities, which will facilitate conducing teamwork at local as well as global platforms.   x        
13 Having competency of comprehending and interpreting local and global issues through information exchange with international academics and students.       x    

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities Quantity Duration
(Hour) 		Total
Workload
(Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 5 80
Mid-terms 1 20 20
Homework and presentation 16 2 32
Final examination 1 20 20
Total Workload     200
Total Workload / 25 (h)     8
ECTS Credit of the Course     8
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