Seminar

Program Type:

Thesis

Course Code:

FEAS 598

Semester:

Spring

Course Type:

Core

P:

3

Lab:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

18

Course Language:

English

Course Objectives:

The objectives of this course are for the student to a) gain an understanding and appreciation for critical thinking, especially in understanding argumentation, formal and informal fallacies in an effort to recognize and avoid specious argumentation, and to formulate sound argumentation for the thesis; b) to understand the place and necessity of a literature review of the student’s topic; c) to develop a coherent Research Question for the masters thesis.

Course Content:

This course is designed to introduce key elements of critical thinking to the task of defining a Research Question for the Masters thesis. The course also will lead the student through developing a literature review as a foundation to understanding the locus of the student’s own research.

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
recognize proper, valid and sound argumentation;	1, 2, 3, 5, 6	1,2,3	C
distinguish informal and formal fallacies	5, 6, 7, 8, 9	1,2,3	C
identify appropriate academic literature related to the topic of the proposed study;	5, 6, 7, 8, 9	1,2,3	C
evaluate these academic resources;	1, 2, 3, 5, 6	1,2,3	C
critique various points of view;	1, 2, 3, 5, 6	1,2,3	C
develop a research question based on the literature review.	5, 6, 7, 8, 9	1,2,3	C

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Course introduction and review of syllabus
2	Introduction to Critical Thinking	Lau, chapters 1, 2, pp. 1-20
3	Logical Categories, part 1: Necessity and Contingency	Lau, chapters 3, 4, 5, pp. 21-52
4	Logical Categories, part 2 : Truth-Falsehood, other categories of basic logic	Lau, chapters 6, 7, 8, pp. 53-73
5	Logical Categories, part 3: Soundness, validity	Lau, chapters 9, 10, 12, pp. 75-94, 107-112
6	Logical Categories, part 4: Causation, Formal and Informal Fallacies	Lau, chapters 15, 19 pp. 133-140, 173-184; supplemented by Copi, pp. 86-125
7-15	Work will proceed on a individual basis between instructor and student to develop, assess, and refine the topic, acquire relevant literature, conduct a literature review and define a Research Question as foundational elements of the masters thesis.	Readings: Appropriate portions of Merriam and Silverman

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES

Textbook

LAU, Joe Y.F. An Introduction to Critical Thinking and Creativity. 2011. Hoboken, NJ: Wyley and Sons.

Additional Resources

COPI, Irving M. 1978. Introduction to Logic, 5th edition. New York: MacMillan.

MERRIAM, Sharan B. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

SILVERMAN, David. 2000. Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. London: Sage Publications.

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents
Assignments
Exams	None – seminar course

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	0
Quizzes	0
Assignment	8	100
Total	8	100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE		0
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE		100
Total		100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	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 in the Middle East 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: 15x Total course hours)	15	3	45
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	15	5	75
Homework	8	10	80
Total Work Load			200
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			8.00
ECTS Credit of the Course			8

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