SOS516 Contemporary Social and Political Issues in TurkeyIstanbul Okan UniversityDegree Programs Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Studies non-thesisGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational Qualifications
Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Studies non-thesis
Master TR-NQF-HE: Level 7 QF-EHEA: Second Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 7

General course introduction information

Course Code: SOS516
Course Name: Contemporary Social and Political Issues in Turkey
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): Dr.Öğr.Üyesi CEM ZAFER
Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives: The aim of this course is to provide students with the necessary conceptual equipment for critical thinking, to incorporate them into the theoretical debates that exist today and to bring them to the competence to express them. The focus is primarily on introducing the issues dealt with, to show what is shaped in the problematic framework.
Course Content: The course covers current issues in sociology such as war, peace, democracy, immigration, sexual identities and queer theory. questions will be discussed sociologically from a comparative perspective. Each course will be taught on the basis of a main reading text. It is a must to read the texts in question by the students.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Learning Outcomes
1 - Knowledge
Theoretical - Conceptual
1) Analyze the theories and thoughts of contemporary sociologists in sociological literature.
2 - Skills
Cognitive - Practical
3 - Competences
Communication and Social Competence
Learning Competence
1) Have the necessary conceptual infrastructure for critical thinking.
2) Learn the theoretical debates already existing in sociology literature.
Field Specific Competence
1) Raise awareness on problems, conflicts and dilemmas in the modern social world.
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility

Lesson Plan

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Postmodern Theory: Jean-François Lyotard/Frederic Jameson Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi.Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi
2) Modernization and Mind: Jürgen Habermas Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
3) Consequences of Settlement and Modernity: Anthony Giddens Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
4) Post-Structuralism: Michel Foucault Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
5) Gramatology: Jacques Derrida Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
6) Consumption and Operation: Zygmunt Bauman Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi.
7) Consumption Society, Simulation and Simulakra: Jean Baudrillard Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
8) Midterm Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
9) World System: Immanuel Wallerstein Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
10) Network Society: Manuel Castells Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
11) Cultural Structuralist Theory: Pierre Bourdieu Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
12) Risk Society: Ulrich Beck Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
13) Democracy and Society: Alain Touraine Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
14) Criticism of Modernism and Postmodernism: David Harvey Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi. Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Adams, N. Bert&R.A. Sydie. ( 2001) Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi.
Allan K. (2006) Contmporaray Social and Sociological Theory, Pine Forge Press, Thosand Oaks, California, London, New Delhi.
Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.
References: Elliot, Anthony (1999). The Blackwell Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, Blackwell Publishing.

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
Q&A / Discussion

Assessment & Grading Methods and Criteria

Written Exam (Open-ended questions, multiple choice, true-false, matching, fill in the blanks, sequencing)

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 14 42
Study Hours Out of Class 9 81
Midterms 1 20
Paper Submission 1 30
Final 1 1
Total Workload 174