Information Package / Course Catalogue
Current Political Concepts
Course Code: SOS152
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 2
Objectives of the Course

In this course we will be investigating basic concepts of political science. Main objective of the course is to grasp main concepts of political science, the relationship between organizations and the main tasks of certain political institutions. 

Course Content

In this course we shall consider the concept of politics, the main methodology of political science, political systems governments and regimes, democracy, state, power, political parties, political representation, political culture and finally bureaucracy. In this course, we will focus on the definitions and functions of some important concepts and institutions such as state, government, types of governments, regimes and regime types, constitution, legal systems, ideology, political parties, democracy and nation state.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To enable students to conceptually define important political institutions such as the state, political parties, bureaucracy, pressure groups.
2.To contribute to the knowledge of students by examining current social and political conditions with a historical perspective.
3.Students' knowledge of electoral systems, concepts such as ideology, power, authority and legitimacy.
4.To enable students to understand and explain daily political debates and events.
5.To develop a scientific approach to the field.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Davut Dursun (2002) Siyaset Bilimi, Beta Yayıncılık, İstanbul.
2.Esat Çam (2002) Siyaset Bilimi, (8. Baskı), Der Yayınları, İstanbul.
3.Ersin Kalaycıoğlu ve A. Yaşar Sarıbay, Türkiye de Siyaset : Süreklilik ve Değişim, Der Yayınları, Ist.
4.Barrie Axford, Gary K. Browning ve Diğer., (2002) Politics: An Introduction, Routledge, London
5.Marsh A, 1990 Political Action in Europe and the USA (Macmillan Press, Hong Kong)
6.Marsh D and Stoker G, 1995 Theory and Methods in Political Science (Macmillan Press)
7.Milbrath L W and Goel M L, 1977 Political Participation (Rand McNally College Publishing Company, Chicago)
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to Politics: What is Politics? Discussing Concept of Politics: Political life and its Environment
Week 2 - Theoretical
Methodological Problem in Political Science Basic Approaches in Political Science
Week 3 - Theoretical
Political Systems, Government and Regimes Why Do We Need Classification?
Week 4 - Theoretical
Concept of Power
Week 5 - Theoretical
Political Power, Authority and Legitimacy Basic concepts; What is Political Authority?
Week 6 - Theoretical
What is State How State Emerged: Political and Economic Conditions
Week 7 - Theoretical
Globalisation and Nation State Globalisation in General Terms Political Implications of Globalisation
Week 8 - Theoretical
Political and Ideology Etymologic Roots What Is Political Ideology?
Week 9 - Theoretical
What is Political Parties and Party Systems ?
Week 10 - Theoretical
The Functions of Political Party
Week 11 - Theoretical
Political Representation Elections and Voting Theories of Representation
Week 12 - Theoretical
Party Systems Organisational Structures of Parties The Role of Party Activists
Week 13 - Theoretical
Party Systems Organisational Structures of Parties The Role of Party Activists
Week 14 - Theoretical
Elections Election Systems Voting and Voting Behaviour
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Assignment1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Midterm Examination1516
Final Examination1516
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)54
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
OÇ-1
2
OÇ-2
3
OÇ-3
2
OÇ-4
1
OÇ-5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026