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Program Type: 
Thesis
Non Thesis
Course Code: 
POLS 528
Course Type: 
Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
8
Course Language: 
English
Course Objectives: 

This course brings together different approaches to the study of identities – gender, sexuality, race, religion, and others – to explore the causes and consequences of policies related to group rights and equality in Western advanced democracies. Forms of identity are often studied separately. One of the goals of this course is to bring together different approaches to the study of identities -- from gender to race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and so on – to search for commonalities and intersectionality between them. 

Course Content: 

Taking a selection of relevant critical perspectives as their points of departure, students on this course examine and problematize identity as a critical concept, political tool and lived practice. Theories of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and race are all covered during the course. Theories of identity as socially constructions are central and the course addresses both contemporary and historical perspectives on identity. The course includes an independent writing assignment.

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.     Explain and discuss different understandings of identity, and the place of the concept of identity within the framework of theory/criticism in various fields of research and aesthetic expressions 1 ,2, 4 1,2,3,12 A,B,D
b.     Discuss and contextualize identity as theoretical concept, political perspective and social practice, with a starting point in different dimensions of power, especially gender, ethnicity, class and sexuality 1, 2, 4 1,2,3,12 A,B,D
c.     Develop their own perspectives of what we know and don’t know yet about the causes, consequences, and proposed solutions to inclusiveness in democracy, and debate these with peers  1, 2, 4,12 1,2,3 A,B,D
d.     Explain how and why policies related to identity and group rights vary across advanced democracies  1,2, 4, 6, 7, 12 1,2,3 A,B,D
e.     Independently identify a theme relevant to the area of study, and then discuss a written assignment on this topic 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 6,12 B,C,D

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week Topics Study Materials
1 Course introduction syllabus
2 What is Identity and why does it matter? Samuel, P., 1993. Huntington, The clash of civilizations. Foreign affairs72(3), pp.22- 49.

Inglehart, R. and Norris, P., 2003. The true clash of civilizations. Foreign policy, pp.63- 70. 

Wedeen, L., 2002. Conceptualizing culture: Possibilities for political science. American Political Science Review96(04), pp.713-728. 

 

3 Construction of Identities Amartya Sen, Identities and Violence, ch. 2
Hobsbawm, “The Invention of Tradition” 
Toffolo ed., Emancipating Cultural Pluralism, ch. 1 and Afterword.
4 Mobilization of Identities Charles Tilly, Stories, Identities, Political Change, pp. 45-98 

Ernesto Laclau, On Populist Reason, ch. 4, pp. 67-128

5 Colonialism Ann Stoler Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power: Race and the Intimate in Colonial Rule, ch. 2 and 3

Danilyn Rutherford. “Unpacking a National Heroine: Two Kartinis and their People” (M) Elsbeth Locher-Scholten. “Feminism, Citizenship and the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage in

a Colonial Context”

6 Nationalism Benedict Anderson Imagined Communities, Verso. Introduction.

Joost Coté. On Feminism and Nationalism pp. 1-17, 23-29, 34-39, 81-86 

Jim Siegel, “Fetishizing Appearances, Or Is “I” a Criminal?” in Fetish, Recognition, Revolution, Chapter 3

7 Post-Colonialism  Leila Ahmed, Border Passages, selections

Bhatia, S., & Ram, A. (2001). Rethinking ‘acculturation’in relation to diasporic cultures and postcolonial identities. Human development, 44(1), 1-18.

Edward Said (1974). Orientalism. Introduction

8 MIDTERM EXAMINATION --
9 Globalization Rosamond, B. (1999). Discourses of globalization and the social construction of European identities. Journal of European Public Policy, 6(4), 652-668.

Berking, H. (2003). Ethnicity is everywhere': on globalization and the transformation of cultural identity. Current Sociology, 51(3-4), 248-264.

10 Resistance Yashar, D. J. (2007). Resistance and identity politics in an age of globalization. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 610(1), 160-181.
11 Gender Htun, M., 2004. Is gender like ethnicity? The political representation of identity

 groups. Perspectives on Politics, 2(3), 439-458.

Hughes, M.M., Krook, M.L. and Paxton, P., 2015. Transnational women's activism and the global diffusion of gender quotas. International Studies Quarterly, 59(2), pp.357-372.

12 Multiculturalism Vertovec, S. and Wessendorf, S. eds., 2010. Multiculturalism backlash: European discourses, policies and practices. Routledge. Chapter 2: The Rise and Fall of Multiculturalism? By Kymlicka.
13 Migration/Diaspora Mudde, C., 2013. Three decades of populist radical right parties in Western Europe: So what?. European Journal of Political Research, 52(1), pp.1-19. 

Bale, Tim. 2010. If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them? Explaining Social Democratic Responses to the Challenge from the Populist Radical Right in Western Europe. Political Studies, vol. 58: 410–426. 

14 Research Proposal Workshops --
15 Wrap up and Conclusions --

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook  
Additional Resources  

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents  
Assignments Weekly readings
Exams Midterm, Final

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms 1 35
Research Paper  1 35
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 WORK LOAD 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 16 2 32
Final examination 1 20 20
Total Workload     200
Total Workload / 25 (h)     8
ECTS Credit of the Course     8