Course Language:
English
Course Objectives:
This seminar focuses on the mutual interaction process between social and political phenomena. It analyses the environment in which political behavior, political culture and political institutions develop. Students in this seminar are required to focus on a particular research question within the field of political sociology and present their findings on a research paper.
Course Content:
Topics include research traditions and approaches in political sociology, modernization, political socialization, social change, state and society, historical sociology, political parties, civil society, religion and politics, representation and the issue of legitimacy.
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: Presentation, D: Discussion
Vertical Tabs
Course Learning Outcomes
| Learning Outcomes |
Program
Learning Outcomes |
Teaching Methods | Assessment Methods |
| Demonstrate an understanding of the central themes of political socialization, social change, modernization, pressure groups, political parties, civil society, political representation, religion and politics. | 1, 3 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 | A, B, D |
| Discuss the rise of major debates and traditions in Political Sociology. | 1, 3 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 | A, B, D |
| Interpret contemporary socio-political phenomena with reference to models of Political Sociology. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 | A, B, D |
| Conduct an extensive literature review of the concepts and theories related to an issue of political sociology. | 5, 6, 8 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 | A, B, D |
| Gather qualitative or quantitative data and interpret them within the frame of a research paper. | 5, 6, 8 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 | A, B, D |
Course Flow
| COURSE CONTENT | ||
| Week | Topics | Study Materials |
| 1 | Introduction and Logistics | |
| 2 | Fundamentals of Political Sociology | Yücekök (1987) |
| 3 | Theories of State |
Lawrence (2008)
Tilly (1992) |
| 4 | Political Culture | (Almond & Verba 1965) |
| 5 | Political Socialization: Micro Perspectives | Yücekök (1987) |
| 6 | Political Socialization: Macro Perspectives | Yücekök (1987) |
| 7 | Social Change and Modernization | Moore (1993) |
| 8 | Mid-Term Exam | |
| 9 | Political Institutions of Modern Pluralist Societies | Yücekök (1987) |
| 10 | Pressure and Interest Groups | Yücekök (1987) |
| 11 | Political Parties | Duverger (1964) |
| 12 | Political Representation | Yücekök (1987) |
| 13 | Civil Society | Lawrence (2008) |
| 14 | Social Structure and Religion | Yücekök (1987) |
| 15 | New Social Movements | Orum (2009) |
Recommended Sources
| RECOMMENDED SOURCES | |
| Textbook | Yücekök, A.N. (1987) Siyasetin Toplumsal Tabanı: Siyaset Sosyolojisi (Ankara: SBF). |
| Additional Resources |
Moore, Barrington (1993) [1966] Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy (Boston: Beacon Press).
Tilly, Charles (1992) Coercion, Capital and European States (Wiley-Blackwell). Duverger, Maurice (1964) Political Parties (Taylor & Francis). Almond, Gabriel A., and Verba, Sidney (1965) The Civic Culture (Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company). Neuman, W. Lawrence (2008) Power, state, and society: An Introduction to Political Sociology(Waveland). Orum, Anthony, and John G. Dale (2009) Political sociology: Power and participation in the modern world. 5th ed. (New York: Oxford Univ. Press). |
Material Sharing
| MATERIAL SHARING | |
| Documents | Required readings and documents can be found both in the Reserve section of the library and in the bookstore. |
| Assignments | Handouts explaining the assignments will be given in class. |
| Exams | Exams will be given in class. |
Assessment
| ASSESSMENT | ||
| IN-TERM STUDIES | NUMBER | PERCENTAGE |
| Mid-term | 1 | .30 |
| Research Paper | 1 | .30 |
| Total | 100 | |
| CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE | .40 | |
| CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE | .60 | |
| Total | 100 | |
Course’s Contribution to Program
| COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM | |||||||
| No | Program Learning Outcomes | Contribution | |||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 1 | The ability to analyze and critically evaluate basic research models, approaches and intellectual traditions in the field of political science, international relations, comparative politics, Turkish politics and foreign policy. To demonstrate the ability to create innovative and original contribution to the field by specializing and expanding on these models and approaches. | X | |||||
| 2 | To demonstrate the ability to make original contributions to the field with an interdisciplinary approach. | 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 compare, contrast and analyze societal and political 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 contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by conducting original and independent studies that produce original thought, methods, models, and applications to the field and/or utilize existing ideas, methods, models, and applications in another field of study. | X | |||||
| 7 | The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by publishing at least one academic article at a refereed journal and/or by producing or interpreting an original contribution. | X | |||||
| 8 | To develop current and advanced level of data into original thought and research as a specialist. The ability to develop original ideas and methods in the field of political science and international relations. | X | |||||
| 9 | The ability to debate and make presentations within an intellectual framework, and the ability to express oneself in a professional and academic manner. The ability to apply academic writing and presentation methods to dissertations, articles, and project design. | X | |||||
| 10 | Having advanced reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in the English language. | X | |||||
| 11 | 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 | |||||
| 12 | Having the competency to work in the public sector, NGOs, research institutions and the academia. | X | |||||
| 13 | Having empathy towards diverse and differing communities, which will facilitate conducing teamwork at local as well as global platforms. | X | |||||
| 14 | 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 | 8 | 128 |
| Mid-terms | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Research Paper | 1 | 50 | 50 |
| Final examination | 1 | 25 | 25 |
| Total Work Load | 276 | ||
| Total Work Load / 25 (h) | 11.04 | ||
| ECTS Credit of the Course | 11 | ||