Political Science and International Relations (With Thesis)

PSIR 561 | Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Name

Caucasus in World Politics

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
PSIR 561	Fall/Spring	3	0	3	7.5

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Elective
Course Level	Second Cycle
Mode of Delivery	-
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	-
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	-
Course Lecturer(s)	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi SITKI EGELİ
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives

To explain the dynamics of the Caucasian isthmus, with its ethnic and religious groups, its energy sources and routes, and its frozen conflicts, and, to examine the regional powers’ foreign policy perspectives vis-à-vis the region.

Learning Outcomes

#	Content	PC Sub	* Contribution Level
#	Content	PC Sub	1	2	3	4	5
1	To give a comprehensive view on the historical actors of the Caucasus and on its peculiar multi-ethnic and multi-religious structure leading to a permanent environment of conflict
2	To examine Turkey-Caucasus relations’ past and present
3	To explain the dynamics of the Energy Politics in the Caucasus
4	To outline the origins of the frozen conflicts of the Caucasus

Course Description

Caucasus in world politics classes analyze the demographic, political and economic dynamics of the Caucasian isthmus, with a particular emphasis on the regional powers’ foreign policies towards the region.

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Management Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation	Learning Outcome
1	Introduction of the course and the course material
2	An Overview of the History of the Caucasus region	Vladimir Degoev, “The Caucasus: Between Three Empires”, International Affairs: A Russian Journal of World Politics, Diplomacy & International Relations, Vol. 50, Issue 1, 2004.
3	On Georgia (Sakartvelo)	Ronald Grigor Suny, The Making of the Georgian Nation, Indiana University Press, 1994.
4	On Armenia (Hayastan)	Richard Hovannisian, The Armenian People from Ancient to Modern Times, 2 vols. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997.
5	On Azerbaijan	Altstadt, Audrey L., The Azerbaijani Turks, Power and Identity under Russian Rule. California: Hoover Institution Press, 1992.
6	On Chechnya	Mike Bowker, “Russia and Chechnya, the Issue of Secession”, Nations and Nationalism, Vol. 10, No. 4, 2004.
7	Midterm Examination
8	On Northern Caucasus and its federal republics	Kh. Kireyev, The North Caucasus and Geopolitical Interests of World Powers, International Affairs: A Russian Journal of World Politics, Diplomacy & International Relations, Vol. 56 Issue 1, 2010.
9	Late Ottoman Foreign Policy towards the Caucasus and its continuity in the Republican era of Turkey	Mustafa Aydın, “Foucault's Pendelum: Turkey in Central Asia and the Caucasus”, Turkish Studies, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2004.
10	The Pipeline Politics in the Caucasus and the BTC (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan)	Anush Begoyan, “United States Policy in the South Caucasus: Securitisation of the Baku-Ceyhan Project”, Iran and the Caucasus, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2004.
11	August 2008 “Five Day” War in the Transcaucasus and the relevant foreign policies of the major and regional powers	Charles King, The Five-Day War, Foreign Affairs, Vol. 87, Issue 6, December 2008.
12	Class Presentations
13	Class Presentations
14	Class Presentations
15	Review
16	Review of the Semester

Course Notes/Textbooks	All course readings are available at the University Library and as open sources.
Suggested Readings/Materials

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities	Number	Weighting	LO 1	LO 2	LO 3	LO 4
Participation	2	15
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments	1	10
Presentation / Jury	1	20
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm	1	25
Final Exam	1	30
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	5	70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade	1	30
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	3	48
Laboratory / Application Hours (Including exam week: '.16.' x total hours)	16		0
Study Hours Out of Class	13	7	91
Field Work			0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques			0
Portfolio			0
Homework / Assignments	1	25	25
Presentation / Jury	1	15	15
Project			0
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms	1	15	15
Final Exam	1	31	31
		Total	225

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#	PC Sub	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	PC Sub	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to improve theoretical and conceptual proficiencies on Political Science and International Relations and use them competently.		-	-	X	-	-
2	To be able to evaluate critically the relationships between various factors in the field of Political Science and International Relations such as structures, actors, institutions and culture.		-	-	X	-	-
3	To be able to determine and question the theoretical and empirical gaps in Political Science and International Relations literature.		-	-	X	-	-
4	To be able to identify the political and cultural conditions that generate discrimination mechanisms based on race, ethnicity, gender and religion at national and international levels.		-	-	-	X	-
5	To be able to gather and analyze data by using scientific research methods.		-	-	-	-	-
6	To be able to analyze and evaluate the historical continuity and changes observed in the relations between the actors and institutions of national and international politics.		-	-	-	-	-
7	To be able to present individual research and contemporary developments in Political Science and International Relations in written, oral, and visual forms.		-	-	X	-	-
8	To be able to take responsibility in generating solutions to the problems that arise in relation to the politics in daily life.		-	-	-	-	-
9	To be able to determine the institutional and political instruments for conflict resolution in domestic and international politics.		-	-	-	-	-
10	To be able to prepare a thesis/term project about Political Science and International Relations based on scientific criteria.		-	-	-	-	-
11	To be able to follow new research and developments in Political Science and International Relations and participate the debates in academic meetings through a foreign language.		-	-	-	-	-
12	To be able to have ethical, social and scientific values in the stages throughout the processes of gathering, interpreting, disseminating and implementing data relevant to Political Science and International Relations.		-	-	-	-	-