ÇANKAYA UNIVERSITY

Graduate School

Course Definition Form

Department Name

Political Science

Dept. Numeric Code

84

Course Code

PSI  528

Number of Weekly Lecture Hours

3

Number of Weekly Lab/Tutorial Hours

0

Number of Credit Hours

3

Course Web Site

https://psi528.cankaya.edu.tr

ECTS Credit

7,50

Course Name

This information will appear in the printed catalogs and on the web online catalog.

English Name

Politics in the Balkans and the Caucasus

Turkish Name

Balkanlar ve Kafkasya'da Siyaset

Course Description

Provide a brief overview of what is covered during the semester. This information will appear in the printed catalogs and on the web online catalog.

Maximum 60 words.

In this course, after a brief examination of the historical background of the Balkans and the Caucasus, the parallel disintegration processes in both regions are analyzed. The wars in the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo), the Macedonian-Albanian conflict, the assimilation practices towards the Turks in Bulgaria, the Azerbaijan-Armenia war (Karabakh issue), the Russia-Chechnya conflict, the ethnic conflicts in Georgia (Georgian-Ossetian War, Georgian-Abkhazian War, 08.08.2008 War) are emphasized. The Balkan and Caucasian policies of global and regional powers, especially Russia, are examined.

Prerequisites

(if any)

Give course codes and check all that are applicable.

1^st

2^nd

3^rd

4^th

 Consent of the Instructor

 Senior Standing

Co-requisites

(if any)

1^st

2^nd

3^rd

4^th

Course Type 

Check all that are applicable

 Must course for dept.       Must course for other dept.(s)       Elective course for dept.       Elective course for other dept.(s)

Course Classification

Give the appropriate percentages for each category.

Category

Percentage

Course Objectives

Explain the aims of the course. Maximum 100 words.

This course aims at providing M.A. level information on post-Cold War politics and conflicts, particularly by focusing on conflict examples that have occurred in the Balkans and the Caucasus, that have left their mark on both regions since the 1980s and that have affected the political conjuncture of the wider Eurasian geography. The aim is for students taking the course to have M.A. level information on developments in the two regions, concepts specific to these two regions, possible future peace and conflict dynamics, and political trends, by the end of the semester.

Learning Outcomes

Explain the learning outcomes of the course. Maximum 10 items.

1. To understand regional conflicts as a cause and effect of the fall of communism.
2. To understand the theoretical basis of conflict resolution regarding regional conflicts based on a cause and effect link.
3. To develop an understanding on the approaches of global and regional actors during and after conflicts.
4. To understand whether the prominent elements in Russian policy towards both regions from the Tsarist period to the present day have shown continuity, given that Russia is the main actor in both regions
 

Textbook(s)

List the textbook(s), if any, and other related main course materials.

Author(s)

Title

Publisher

Publication Year

ISBN

Svante Cornell,Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus, London and New York: Routledge Curzon Press 2001 Mustafa Aydın, New Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus: Causes of Instability and Predicament, Ankara: SAM 2000 Robert M. Hayden From Yugoslavia to the western Balkans : studies of a European disunion, 1991-2011 Leiden: Brill 2013 Maire Braniff Integrating the Balkans : conflict resolution and the impact of EU expansion London, New York: I.B. Tauris 2011 Mark Biondich The Balkans : revolution, war, and political violence since 1878 Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press 2011

Reference Books

List the reference books as supplementary materials, if any.

Author(s)

Title

Publisher

Publication Year

ISBN

Teaching Policy

Explain how you will organize the course (lectures, laboratories, tutorials, studio work, seminars, etc.)

In-class lecturing, discussions.

Laboratory/Studio Work

Give the number of laboratory/studio hours required per week, if any, to do supervised laboratory/studio work, and list the names of the laboratories/studios in which these sessions will be conducted.

None

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Briefly describe the Generative Artificial Intelligence usage in the course.

None

Computer Usage

Briefly describe the computer usage and the hardware/software requirements in the course.

None

Course Outline

List the topics covered within each week.

Week

Topic(s)

1. Introduction
2. Disintegration of Yugoslavia: War in Bosnia
3. Kosovo crisis (1)
4. Kosovo Crisis (2)
5. Macedonian -Albanian Conflict
6. Bulgarian Assimilation Campaign against the Turks (1984-89)
7. Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
8. MIDTERM
9. Russia - Chechnya War (1)
10. Russia - Chechnya War (2)
11. Goergia-Abkhazia, Georgia-South Ossetia War (1990s)
12. 8.8.2008 War
13. Presentations
14. Presentations
 

Grading Policy

List the assessment tools and their percentages that may give an idea about their relative importance to the end-of-semester grade.

Assessment Tool

Quantity

Percentage

Assessment Tool

Quantity

Percentage

Assessment Tool

Quantity

Percentage

Midterm Exam

1

30

Homework

1

25

Oral Presentation

1

15

Final Exam

1

30

ECTS Workload

List all the activities considered under the ECTS.

Activity

Quantity

Duration

(hours)

Total Workload

(hours)

Attending Lectures (weekly basis)

11

3,00

33,00

Attending  Labs/Recitations (weekly basis)

Preparation beforehand and finalizing of notes (weekly basis)

11

7,00

77,00

Collection and selection of relevant material (once)

1

5,00

5,00

Self study of relevant material (weekly basis)

11

5,00

55,00

Homework assignments

Preparation for Quizzes

2

3,00

6,00

Preparation for Midterm Exams (including the duration of the exams)

1

5,00

5,00

Preparation of Term Paper/Case Study Report (including oral presentation)

1

4,00

4,00

Preparation of Term Project/Field Study Report (including oral presentation)

Preparation for Final Exam (including the duration of the exam)

1

10,00

10,00

TOTAL WORKLOAD / 25

195,00/25

ECTS Credit

7,50

Program Qualifications vs. Learning Outcomes

Consider the below program qualifications determined in terms of learning outcomes of all the courses in the curriculum and capabilities. Look at the learning outcomes of this course given above. Relate these two using the Likert Scale by marking with X in one of the five choices at the right..

No

Program Qualifications

Contribution

0

1

2

3

4

1

To be able to understand and interpret the fundamental concepts of social sciences, economics, and law.

✔

2

To possess advanced skills in conducting research and/or innovation activities aimed at developing new knowledge and methods in the field of Political Science and integrating useful information from different disciplines, also can understand the fundamental principles, objectives, data collection methods, and data analysis.

✔

3

To possess specialized knowledge, some of which is at the most advanced level, forming the foundation of original ideas and/or research in the fields of political science and international relations.

✔

4

To possess a critical mind and analytical capacity to question what is presented as true, real, or common sense in social sciences in general and in the field of Political Science in particular.

✔

5

To develop the ability to reach alternative sources of knowledge and be prepared for lifelong learning in a constantly changing world.

✔

6

To possess the ability to comprehend, design, implement, and adapt advanced research processes, either as a team member or as a person, and have the capability to present their findings to the scientific community.

✔

7

To possess a deep understanding of Turkish society, political history, political traditions, and culture, as well as the Turkish constitutional and administrative structure.

✔

8

To develop a deeper understanding of classical and contemporary political theories as well as international law and international organizations.

✔

9

To acquire an in-depth knowledge of global economic, political, and cultural relations while also developing the ability to understand and interpret developments in these fields.

✔

10

To be aware of their social and civic responsibilities toward others and their environment; they support social and cultural rights and develop a sense of social justice.

✔

11

To obtain proficiency in English for daily communication and advanced professional purposes (European Language Portfolio, Level B1).

✔

12

To develop a capacity of self-expression in verbal and written forms, independently and/or in groups.

✔

13

To be able to use computer technologies necessary for research and studies in the field in which she/he is educated.

✔

14

To be aware of the relationship between knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors in professional or academic fields within political science and international relations, as well as the social and ethical issues and responsibilities involved.

✔

15

To be committed to social, scientific, cultural, and ethical principles in the acquisition of knowledge, data collection, analysis, implementation, and dissemination of research findings related to their field.

✔

Is the new course replacing a former course in the curriculum?

Yes

No

Former Course’s Code

Former Course’s Name

Is there any similar course which has content overlap with other courses offered by the university?

Yes

No

Most Similar Course’s Code

Most Similar Course’s Name

Frequency of Offerings

Check all semesters that the course is planned to be offered.

 Fall           Spring           Summer

First Offering

Academic Year

2019

Semester

 Fall           Spring

Maximum Class Size Proposed

20

Student Quota for Other Departments

4

Approximate Number of Students Expected to Take the Course

15

Justification for the proposal

Maximum 80 words

The need to update and revise the course syllabus.

Proposed by

Faculty Member

Give the Academic Title first.

Signature

Date

Prof. Dr. Fatma Didem EKÄ°NCÄ°

27.03.2025

Departmental Board Meeting Date

Meeting Number

Decision Number

Department Chair

Signature

Date

Faculty/Institute Board Meeting Date

Meeting Number

Decision Number

Dean/Director of Institute

Signature

Date

Senate

Meeting Date

Meeting Number

Decision Number