KIUS
English


INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (ENGLISH) PROGRAMME
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Name of the Course Unit Code Year Semester In-Class Hours (T+P) Credit ECTS Credit
CURRENT INTERNATIONAL ISSUES INR302 3 6 4+0 3.0 6.0


General Information
Language of Instruction English
Level of the Course Unit Bachelor's Degree, TYYÇ: Level 6, EQF-LLL: Level 6, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course Compulsory
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit Face-to-face
Work Placement(s) Requirement for the Course Unit No
Coordinator of the Course Unit Dr. DEVRİM ŞAHİN
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit Dr. İLKE GÜRDAL
Assistant(s) of the Course Unit

Prerequisites and/or co-requisities of the course unit
CATEGORY OF THE COURSE UNIT
Category of the Course Unit Degree of Contribution (%)
Fundamental Course in the field % 50
Course providing specialised skills to the main field % 50
Course providing supportive skills to the main field -
Course providing humanistic, communication and management skills -
Course providing transferable skills -

Objectives and Contents
Objectives of the Course Unit This course investigates contemporary issues in global politics, spanning topics such as warfare, poverty, human security, environmental concerns, and global economic disparities. It aims to evaluate international efforts to address conflict management within the framework of economic globalization and environmental challenges. The overarching goals of the course encompass the enhancement of students' oral, written, and research proficiencies. Throughout the semester, students will be expected to demonstrate engagement with the assigned readings and contribute substantively to discussions. Furthermore, their presentation and writing abilities will be honed through the completion of term papers.
Contents of the Course Unit This course is a wide-ranging introduction to trending topics in world politics. Topics covered include key concepts in international affairs, general theoretical issues in world politics, domestic and foreign policy debates, the shifting circumstances of international issues, various tools of governance, and the consequences for a miscellaneous set of contemporary policy problems.
Contribution of the Course Intending to Provide the Professional Education 1. This course is designed to develop a more critical point of view on how global actors and their activities influence the world at large. In addition to the formal lectures, the course emphasizes skill development through in-class debates to encourage students: 2. To discuss topics in the class with each other. 3. To get familiar with the most trending topics in world politics, their actors, root causes and their effects on wider scale. 4. To be able to analyze the trending global issues from an academic perspective, to understand their implications for the IR theories and concepts. 5. To develop a habit of following and reading the world’s news agencies such as The International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, BBC news, etc.

No
 Key Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to:
1 To have a comprehensive understanding of the trending issues in world politics
2 To have a clear understanding of key concepts of world politics
3 To be able to conduct an objective analysis of the shifting circumstances of international issues
4 To develop critical thinking of governance
5 To be aware of the consequences for a miscellaneous set of contemporary policy problems

Learning Activities & Teaching Methods of the Course Unit
Learning Activities & Teaching Methods of the Course Unit

Weekly Course Contents and Study Materials for Preliminary & Further Study
Week Topics (Subjects) Preparatory & Further Activities
1 Course Introduction No file found
2 The Cyprus Question and the East Mediterranean No file found
3 Energy as a catalyst of peace or conflict No file found
4 Renewable Energy Transformation No file found
5 Climate Change and the EU 2030 No file found
6 Midterm Exam No file found
7 A New Cold War? No file found
8 Arab-Spring No file found
9 Transnationalism No file found
10 Regionalism in the Eastern Mediterranean No file found
11 Non Proliferation of the Nuclear Armanents No file found
12 Geopolitical Alignment No file found
13 Discussion and Revision No file found
14 Final Examination No file found

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING
1. Devrim Şahin, “The Cyprus Question and the East Mediterranean in TFP,” in Turkish Foreign Policy II. Eds. Nejat Doğan and Ahmet Sözen. Eskisehir: Anadolu University, July 2020.
2. Devrim Şahin and Ahmet Sözen. “The Multiplayer Chess Board: Transformation of the traditional pattern of the Mediterranean through energy politics,” (Çok Oyunculu Satranç Tahtası: Akdeniz'in Geleneksel Örüntüsünün Enerji Politikaları Aracılığıyla Dönüşümü) EISA PEC 2021 Virtual Conference, September 2021.
3. Devrim Şahin. “The Great Gamble with the Eastern Mediterranean Energy,” Middle East Policy, Cilt 29 Sayı 4/2024. (SSCI)
4. Devrim Şahin. “Rethinking Relations: Embracing Relational Thinking for a Nuanced Understanding of the Shift from a Community of Power to the Balance of Power” Rijeka 2024 CEEISA-ISA Joint International Conference, Expected date of delivery: 18-21 June 2024.
5. Devrim Şahin and Ahmet Sözen. “Potential of the Turkish Model for the Arab Spring,” ("Arap Baharı için Türk Modeli Potansiyeli") Paper Prepared for delivery at 53rd Annual Convention of the International Studies Association, San Diago, CA/USA, April 12, 2012
6. Devrim Şahin and Safiye Kocadayı. “The Role of Media in the Perception of Syrian Refugees as Terrorists,” in Media and Terrorism in the 21st Century, Edited by Elnur Ismayil and Ebru Karadogan, New York: IGI Global Publishing House, 2022.
7. Devrim Şahin and Achiri Emmanuel. “The 2016 Refugee Deal: as part of Center Periphery Relations between the EU and Turkey”, (2016 Mülteci Anlaşması: AB ve Türkiye Arasındaki Merkez Çevre İlişkilerinin Bir Parçası Olarak) CEEISA Conference, Bratislava, 23-25 June 2022.
8. Devrim Şahin and Achiri Emmanuel. “Intrastate Borders to Transnational Activities: Fragility of International Legal System against Cross-Border Flows,” "Ülke İçi Sınırlardan Ulus Ötesi Faaliyetlere: Uluslararası Hukuk Sisteminin Sınır Ötesi Akışlara Karşı Kırılganlığı". CEEISA Conference, Bratislava, 23-25 June 2022.
9. Devrim Şahin and Ahmet Sözen. “Regional Security Complexity in US-Turkey Relations: Trump as an Effect of and Feedback on the Erosion of the US-led Liberal International Order”, ISA Toronto, March 2019.
10. Devrim Şahin and Ahmet Sözen. “The Diffusion Of Global Turmoil In The International System: An analysis of US security strategies in the post September 11 era,” Paper Prepared for delivery at 54th Annual Convention of the International Studies Association, San Fransisco, CA/USA, April 13, 2012.

MATERIAL SHARING
Course Notes No file found
Presentations No file found
Homework No file found
Exam Questions & Solutions No file found
Useful Links No file found
Video and Visual Materials No file found
Other No file found
Announcements No file found

CONTRIBUTION OF THE COURSE UNIT TO THE PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Comprehend the political science theories and practices. X
2 Comprehend the theories and practices of international relations. X
SKILLS
Cognitive
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Prepare reports according to academic and professional expectations. X
2 Relate the concepts of political science and international relations with the concepts of other disciplines. X
Practical
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Respond with an environmental conscience to the issues relating to the discipline. X
PERSONAL & OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCES IN TERMS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS
Autonomy & Responsibility
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Respond with an environmental conscience to the issues relating to the discipline. X
Learning to Learn
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Follow the new theoretical approaches in the discipline. X
Communication & Social
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Communicate in mother tongue and at least one foreign language. X
Occupational and/or Vocational
No PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION*
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 Use scientific research methods in an efficient manner and with respect to academic norms. X
*Level of Contribution (0-5): Empty-Null (0), 1- Very Low, 2- Low, 3- Medium, 4- High, 5- Very High

No
 Key Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to: 		PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 To have a comprehensive understanding of the trending issues in world politics
2 To have a clear understanding of key concepts of world politics
3 To be able to conduct an objective analysis of the shifting circumstances of international issues9 (3)
4 To develop critical thinking of governance1 (4), 7 (4)
5 To be aware of the consequences for a miscellaneous set of contemporary policy problems 2 (5), 3 (5), 4 (5), 5 (5), 6 (5)

Assessment
Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities Number of
Activities		 Degree of Contribution (%)
Mid-Term Exam 0 -
Computer Based Presentation 0 -
Short Exam 0 -
Presentation of Report 1 % 60
Homework Assessment 0 -
Oral Exam 0 -
Presentation of Thesis 0 -
Presentation of Document 0 -
Expert Assessment 0 -
Board Exam 0 -
Practice Exam 0 -
Year-End Final Exam 0 -
Internship Exam 0 -
TOTAL 1 %100
Contribution of In-Term Assessments to Overall Grade 1 %50
Contribution of Final Exam to Overall Grade 1 %50
TOTAL 2 %100


WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT
Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities
Type of the Learning Activites Learning Activities
(# of week)		 Duration
(hours, h)		 Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities 14 3 42
Preliminary & Further Study 14 1 14
Land Surveying 0 0 0
Group Work 0 0 0
Laboratory 0 0 0
Reading 4 8 32
Assignment (Homework) 1 18 18
Project Work 1 14 14
Seminar 0 0 0
Internship 0 0 0
Technical Visit 0 0 0
Web Based Learning 0 0 0
Implementation/Application/Practice 0 0 0
Practice at a workplace 0 0 0
Occupational Activity 0 0 0
Social Activity 0 0 0
Thesis Work 0 0 0
Field Study 0 0 0
Report Writing 0 0 0
Total Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities - - 120
Workload for Assessment Activities
Type of the Assessment Activites # of Assessment Activities
 Duration
(hours, h)		 Workload (h)
Final Exam 1 2 2
Preparation for the Final Exam 1 32 32
Mid-Term Exam 0 0 0
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam 0 0 0
Short Exam 0 0 0
Preparation for the Short Exam 0 0 0
Total Workload for Assessment Activities - - 34
Total Workload of the Course Unit - - 154
Workload (h) / 25.5 6.0
ECTS Credits allocated for the Course Unit 6.0

EBS : Kıbrıs İlim Üniversitesi Eğitim Öğretim Bilgi Sistemi Kıbrıs İlim Üniversitesi AKTS Bilgi Paketi AKTS Bilgi Paketi ECTS Information Package Avrupa Kredi Transfer Sistemi (AKTS/ECTS), Avrupa Yükseköğretim Alanı (Bologna Süreci) hedeflerini destekleyen iş yükü ve öğrenme çıktılarına dayalı öğrenci/öğrenme merkezli öğretme ve öğrenme yaklaşımı çerçevesinde yükseköğretimde uluslarası saydamlığı arttırmak ve öğrenci hareketliliği ile öğrencilerin yurtdışında gördükleri öğrenimleri kendi ülkelerinde tanınmasını kolaylaştırmak amacıyla Avrupa Komisyonu tarafından 1989 yılında Erasmus Programı (günümüzde Yaşam Boyu Öğrenme Programı) kapsamında geliştirilmiş ve Avrupa ülkeleri tarafından yaygın olarak kabul görmüş bir kredi sistemidir. AKTS, aynı zamanda, yükseköğretim kurumlarına, öğretim programları ve ders içeriklerinin iş yüküne bağlı olarak kolay anlaşılabilir bir yapıda tasarlanması, uygulanması, gözden geçirilmesi, iyileştirilmesi ve bu sayede yükseköğretim programlarının kalitesinin geliştirilmesine ve kalite güvencesine önemli katkı sağlayan bir sistematik yaklaşım sunmaktadır. ETIS : İstanbul Aydın University Education & Training System Cyprus Science University ECTS Information Package ECTS Information Package European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which was introduced by the European Council in 1989, within the framework of Erasmus, now part of the Life Long Learning Programme, is a student-centered credit system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme specified in terms of learning outcomes and competences to be acquired. The implementation of ECTS has, since its introduction, has been found wide acceptance in the higher education systems across the European Countries and become a credit system and an indispensable tool supporting major aims of the Bologna Process and, thus, of European Higher Education Area as it makes teaching and learning in higher education more transparent across Europe and facilitates the recognition of all studies. The system allows for the transfer of learning experiences between different institutions, greater student mobility and more flexible routes to gain degrees. It also offers a systematic approach to curriculum design as well as quality assessment and improvement and, thus, quality assurance.