Undergraduate Courses

POLS 304 Development of Contemporary Democracies Credits 3

Examination of the historical origins and development of democracy in a comparative perspective, with emphasis on major historical processes and contemporary debates. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 305 Politics of Nationalism and Ethnicity Credits 3

Nationalism and nation-building in historical perspective. Ethnicity, national consciousness, and ethnic nationalism in an international and comparative framework. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 307 Secularism and Its Critiques Credits 3

The etymological, philosophical, scientific and historical origins of secularism. A survey of the contemporary political philosophical critiques of secularism. An evaluation of the relation between secularism and democracy. Prerequisite: POLS101

POLS 308 Politics in Developing Countries Credits 3

The structures and processes of politics in developing countries with special attention on the dynamics of regime changes. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 310 Comparative Electoral Systems Credits 3

Properties of various electoral systems in comparative perspective. Theory and practice of elections. Plurality systems, proportional systems. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 311 Politics of Latin America Credits 3

The structures and political processes in Latin American countries with a focus on populism, revolution, authoritarianism, and democracy. Historical and theoretical examination of political change and economic development in the region.

POLS 314 Politics and Cinema Credits 3

Politics as seen through the lens of selected movie directors. Critical appraisal of classical and contemporary political films and of the main political issues projected to the screen. Exploration of the political and social relevance of cinema. Prerequisite: POLS101

POLS 317 Politics and Society in the Middle East Credits 3

A general introduction to histories, peoples and politics of the Middle East. Colonialism, imperialism, orientalism, state, institutions, popular culture, nationalism, democratization, political Islam, patriarchy, social movements. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 320 Politics in Asia and the Pacific Credits 3

Comparative analysis of political change and rapid economic development in East and Southeast Asia, with particular focus on Japan, China, and the East Asian NICs. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 323 Politics of Identity Credits 3

Theoretical perspectives on the politicization of gender, religion, ethnicity and locality. The construction of political identities in modern and postmodern socio-political culture, particularly in relation to key political concepts such as public sphere, state, law, nationality, citizenship and community. Prerequisite: POLS 101

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POLS 330 Political Geography Credits 3

Relationship between politics and territory. State boundaries, demographics, socioeconomic characteristics and activities. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 332 Political Sociology Credits 3

Development of the modern state, the relationship of the state to society, with special emphasis on the nature of modern political institutions and processes. Prerequisites: POLS 101, SOC 101, SOC 108

POLS 333 Local Politics and Democracy Credits 3

This course examines local politics, government, and governance with specific focus on citizen participation from a comparative perspective. After introducing the main approaches and concepts regarding these issues, the course explores different forms and dynamics of political participation at the local level. Based on comparative analyses of specific cases, the conditions that facilitate and impede citizen participation are identified and critically evaluated. The course concludes with a general assessment of citizen participation and of the institutions specifically designed to enhance and deepen citizen participation in local politics and governance. 

POLS 337 Sociology of Law Credits 3

Examination of the relationship between law, politics and society, with emphasis on the social and political construction of law and crime. Leading theoretical perspectives and empirical research in the field. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 347 Administrative Law Credits 3

Introduction to the organization, powers and operation of the administrative structure of government. Judicial review. Prerequisites: POLS 101, POLS 102

POLS 361 Politics and Law Credits 3

An interdisciplinary approach to the relationship between the constitution and the political system, political processes and judicial review of legislative acts. Case studies from the Turkish, Continental European, and Anglo-American contexts. Prerequisites: POLS 101, POLS 102

POLS 404 Religion and Society Credits 3

Political, sociological, anthropological and economic approaches to the status of religions in today's world. Secularism in the East and in the West. Comparative analysis of political, social, cultural, scientific, economic and gender issues involved in secularization and desecularization. Prerequisite: POLS 101

 

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POLS 405 Communications and Politics Credits 3

The global revolution in mass communication and its impact on political processes, cultural identity, national and global issues. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 410 Political Behavior Credits 3

Impact of psychological, cultural and social structural factors on individual and mass behavior in political life, with emphasis on voting behavior. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 413 Comparative Party Systems and Interest Groups Credits 3

Comparative analysis of the origins, functions and organizational characteristics of political parties and interest groups in different political systems. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 415 Political Psychology Credits 3

Introduction to the theories and empirical findings on political cognition, attitudes, values and beliefs. Theories of political socialization, political action, and protest behavior. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 416 Literature and Politics Credits 3

Study of works of literature as sources for understanding. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 417 From Weimar to Berlin Credits 3

Analysis of social and political problems leading to the collapse of the Weimar Republic, rise and fall of the Third Reich, the establishment of the Federal Republic, and German Unification. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 421 Comparative State and Bureaucracy Credits 3

Typologies of states and bureaucracies with particular emphasis on the relationship in different political systems. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 424 Social Movements Credits 3

Introduction to the theory of social movements. Case studies of old and new types of social movements in a comparative perspective. Worker, woman and immigrant movements. Prerequisite: POLS 101.

POLS 432 Political Economy of Exclusion Credits 3

Exploring various dimensions and modalities of human deprivation and exclusion. Study of linkages between globalization and exclusion, various theories on marginality, poverty, informality and inequality, analysis of political solutions and strategies. 

POLS 445 Current Issues European Integration Credits 3

Problems and prospects of European economic and political integration. EU enlargement. Post-Maastricht developments and current debates. Prerequisite: POLS 101.

POLS 466 Human Rights: Theory and Practice Credits 3

Theoretical foundations and historical development of human rights. Evolution of international human rights regimes and their impact on international and domestic politics. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 474 Islam and Politics Credits 3

Analysis of the relationship of Islam to politics. Islamist movements in theoretical and comparative perspective. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 476 Gender and Politics in the Middle East Credits 3

Theoretical exploration of gender and politics in the Middle East. Analysis of feminist criticism of basic concepts of politics related to the dynamics of politics in the region. Prerequisite: POLS 101

POLS 482 Selected Topics in Comparative Politics Credits 3

Advanced Seminar on selected topics in comparative politics. Prerequisites: POLS 101, POLS 215