SOS511 Current Debates in Political SociologyIstanbul Okan UniversityDegree Programs Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Studies with thesisGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational Qualifications
Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Studies with thesis
Master TR-NQF-HE: Level 7 QF-EHEA: Second Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 7

General course introduction information

Course Code: SOS511
Course Name: Current Debates in Political Sociology
Course Semester: Spring
Course Credits:
Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
3 0 3 6
Language of instruction: TR
Course Requisites:
Does the Course Require Work Experience?: No
Type of course: Department Elective
Course Level:
Master TR-NQF-HE:7. Master`s Degree QF-EHEA:Second Cycle EQF-LLL:7. Master`s Degree
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. ESRA KÖTEN
Course Lecturer(s):
Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives: The course is designed to show the broad social bases of politics and to identify the nature, forms and consequences of interactions taking place between individual, society and the state. To do this, it provides insight into major political sociological theories and helps students make sense of the many major social and political changes taking place in the world.
Course Content: The course moves from the assumption that there is a reciprocal relationship between society and politics in the sense that as social actors and processes shape political processes and institutions, the latter also retains greater capacity to shape the social. The course hence focuses on the complex interactions that take place between economy and politics, states and societies, civil society and politics, and it extends the discussion to basic forms of political rule, power and equality, political parties and factors behind political participation.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Learning Outcomes
1 - Knowledge
Theoretical - Conceptual
1) Discuss from a sociological perspective, the emergence and development of modern state.
2) Define major characteristics of democratic, totalitarian and authoritarian regimes.
3) Make analytical evaluations on how social factors (ethnicity, identity, gender) and institutions (economy, civil society) shape and be shaped by politics.
4) Define how political parties bridge the gap between society and political institutions.
2 - Skills
Cognitive - Practical
3 - Competences
Communication and Social Competence
Learning Competence
Field Specific Competence
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility

Lesson Plan

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Course Description Discussion of course and course requirements a
2) ”Models of political organization: team (oba), tribal, chief / emirate, state“ b
3) The emergence of the state: infrastructure, basic characteristics “ c
4) "State and tribal (clan) relations: examples from the Middle East and Turkey" d
5) "In Turkey, modernization, and government conservatism" e
6) ”State and religion: the state of religion (theocracy), state religion and secular-secularism“ f
7) MIDTERM g
8) ”Globalization, nation and state“ h
9) ”Industrialization, modernization, globalization“ ı
10) Toplum The nature of the relationship between state and society “ j
11) Political fields and institutions; social areas and organizations k
12) “Basic elements of the political order:“ power “, “ authority ları and düzen legality “ l
13) Government and civil society m
14) Transformation of the State n

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: F. Oppenheimer, “Devlet”, Phoneix Yayınları, 2005.
Nur Vergin, “Siyasetin Sosyolojisi, Kavramlar,Tanımlar, Yaklaşımlar”, Bağlam Yayınları, 2014.
Cemal Bali Akal, İktidarın Üç Yüzü, Dost Kitabevi Yayınları, Ankara, 2012.

References: Murat Belge, Militarist Modernleşme- Almanya, Japonya ve Türkiye”, Birikim Yayınları, İstanbul, 2014.
Ahmet İnsel, Türkiye Toplumunun Bunalımı, İletişim Yayınları, İstanbul, 2014.

Course-Program Learning Outcome Relationship

Learning Outcomes

1

2

3

4

Program Outcomes
1) Learn which concepts and theories in sociology are used in production of knowledge and how the knowledge produced is grounded in social reality.
2) Learn which sociological approaches and methods of analysis are used in which sociological fields and areas of specialization, and present and publish the original findings from these analyses, both individually and in teams, in accordance with academic principles.
3) Discuss critically cause and effect relationships used in sociological perspectives; thereby formulate visions, aims and targets by identifying gaps in the existing knowledge in their areas of interest.
4) Analyze and determine the formation, the structure and future development of such institutions as family, state, education and religion critically and scientifically; and develop policy proposals for implementation.
5) Gain lifelong learning skills and competencies, use them in everyday life situations and professional contexts, and thereby develop, implement and manage projects, with socially responsible approaches.
6) Combine sociology with other social sciences such as psychology, philosophy and anthropology, employ interdisciplinary approaches, and thereby develop new conceptualizations and interpretations.
7) Learn to conduct sociological research by using both qualitative and quantitative methods, select the subject, develop a research question, formulate a theoretical framework with variables and hypotheses, prepare questionnaires, collect and analyze data from a sample, write a research report, and disseminate the findings in professional fields of interest within a social, cultural, and ethical framework.
8) Acquire skills and competencies for taking initiative in evaluating and changing norms while implementing decisions in social problem areas.
9) Pursue national and international publications and innovations and thereby find solutions to problems using qualitative and quantitative data and publish and disseminate best practices.
10) Know, contribute to, and participate in current sociological debates, and be ready to go ahead with a third cycle program.
11) Have unbiased attitudes towards the universality of social rights and social justice, value high standards of quality, respect cultural values, promote environmental protection, health and work safety at work, and be open to change.

Course - Learning Outcome Relationship

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Learn which concepts and theories in sociology are used in production of knowledge and how the knowledge produced is grounded in social reality.
2) Learn which sociological approaches and methods of analysis are used in which sociological fields and areas of specialization, and present and publish the original findings from these analyses, both individually and in teams, in accordance with academic principles.
3) Discuss critically cause and effect relationships used in sociological perspectives; thereby formulate visions, aims and targets by identifying gaps in the existing knowledge in their areas of interest.
4) Analyze and determine the formation, the structure and future development of such institutions as family, state, education and religion critically and scientifically; and develop policy proposals for implementation.
5) Gain lifelong learning skills and competencies, use them in everyday life situations and professional contexts, and thereby develop, implement and manage projects, with socially responsible approaches.
6) Combine sociology with other social sciences such as psychology, philosophy and anthropology, employ interdisciplinary approaches, and thereby develop new conceptualizations and interpretations.
7) Learn to conduct sociological research by using both qualitative and quantitative methods, select the subject, develop a research question, formulate a theoretical framework with variables and hypotheses, prepare questionnaires, collect and analyze data from a sample, write a research report, and disseminate the findings in professional fields of interest within a social, cultural, and ethical framework.
8) Acquire skills and competencies for taking initiative in evaluating and changing norms while implementing decisions in social problem areas.
9) Pursue national and international publications and innovations and thereby find solutions to problems using qualitative and quantitative data and publish and disseminate best practices.
10) Know, contribute to, and participate in current sociological debates, and be ready to go ahead with a third cycle program.
11) Have unbiased attitudes towards the universality of social rights and social justice, value high standards of quality, respect cultural values, promote environmental protection, health and work safety at work, and be open to change.

Learning Activity and Teaching Methods

Expression
Lesson
Reading

Assessment & Grading Methods and Criteria

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Midterms 1 % 40
Final 1 % 60
total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 40
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 60
total % 100

Workload and ECTS Credit Grading

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 16 48
Study Hours Out of Class 14 85
Presentations / Seminar 8 8
Homework Assignments 1 1
Quizzes 2 4
Midterms 1 10
Paper Submission 2 6
Final 2 4
Total Workload 166