Faculty of Administrative and Social Sciences – Department of Political Science and International Relations
Introduction
Political Science and International Relations is an interdisciplinary department, featuring a broad variety of courses from history to economics, political psychology to defense industries. Based on the indivisibility of domestic politics and foreign policy, the curriculum seeks to equip and train students with the knowledge and expertise to evaluate local and international developments from different levels and perspectives.
The department faculty comprises scholars renowned for their highly quoted scholarly work, international experience, media appearances and consulting services.
Situated in the Beşiktaş Campus, a very central and picturesque area of Istanbul, the Department of Political Science and International Relations aims to provide the perfect studying environment for students with many extra-curricular activities and present the chance to study in the fields mentioned above by a highly skilled staff. The students also find the opportunity to regularly interact with politicians, experts from think tanks, NGOs, journalists and advisors by helping out and attending in the many conferences and events the department organizes. In a very heterogeneous, multicultural and globally mixed student environment, with the added opportunities of travelling abroad, the department aims to enhance the learning process for prospective students.
Program
In order to graduate, it is required to complete a workload of 130 credits/240 ECTS. Throughout their studies, the students take compulsory courses as well as elective courses that appeal to their interests and future expectations. Elective courses are categorized into Departmental Electives, Non-departmental Electives and COOP (Branded) Courses. Each course enables students to gain knowledge and expertise in their interest areas, broaden their horizons and get more acquainted with the sector.
Political Science and International Relations Department Mission
The mission of the Political Science and International Relations Program is to raise experts, who question domestic and international political developments in an interdisciplinary sense; make forecasts upon patterns of political continuity and change; transform risks, threats and forecasts into win-win scenarios; possess knowledge as to how to collect and process qualitative and quantitative data, and celebrate pluralism and dialogue in policymaking.
Political Science and International Relations Department Goals
Graduates will be able to
1. evaluate political, economic and social developments around the world along the risk-benefit axis, and develop related projects and policies in various institutions and agencies;
2. possess knowledge and expertise to assume positions in state and private sectors, civil society organizations and international organizations;
3. demonstrate responsibility and sensitivity towards the environment and society during project and policy making;
4. engage in lifelong learning for personal and professional development.
Political Science and International Relations Program Outcomes
Students will be able to
1. grasp basic theoretical and conceptual knowledge about the field and relations between them at the level of practice;
2. possess basic knowledge about the causes and effects of political transformations in societies;
3. possess knowledge about quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods in social and behavioral sciences;
4. recognize historical patterns while evaluating contemporary political and social developments;
5. demonstrate interdisciplinary and critical approach while analyzing, synthesizing and forecasting domestic and foreign policy;
6. conduct studies in the field professionally, both independently or as a team member;
7. possess consciousness about lifelong learning based on Research & Development;
8. communicate with peers both orally and in writing, by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio B1 General Level and the necessary informatics and communication technologies;
9. apply field-related knowledge and competences into career advancement, projects for sustainable development goals, and social responsibility initiatives;
10. possess the habit to monitor domestic and foreign policy agenda as well as international developments;
11. possess competence to interpret the new political actors, theories and concepts in a global era;
12. evaluate the legal and ethical implications of advanced technologies on politics.