IR 501 THEORIES of ınternatıonal relatıons (introduction) Bezen Balamir Coskun office: 417

objective This is the core theory course in International Relations Masters Program. It introduces students to the major theoretical debates— their origins, evolution, and current status—in the field of IR. We explore a variety of different and often contradictory world views and theoretical frameworks. You will learn the core assumptions and methods of analysis of each school of thought. This course is also about critical thinking—the analysis and evaluation of theoretically and empirically grounded arguments about the world. You will critically review the raison d'être of each theoretical perspective and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the descriptions, interpretations, explanations, predictions and policy prescriptions that these theories support.

course requirements Students are expected to do assigned readings, watch weekly podcasts and be ready to discuss in class. Students will also serve as discussion leaders for individual questions and topics on a rotating basis. (%25) Students will take 1 midterm and 1 final exam (%25 each) The review essay (due at semester’s end) is a critique of one or another issue, debate, or specialized literature in IR theory. Guidelines for this assignment will be circulated early in the semester, and students are encouraged to begin thinking about possible topics. (%25)

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Be prepared (do weekly readings, watch lecture podcasts, videos etc.) Follow wiki page regularly: ations.html ations.html No phones allowed in the class, but you can bring your laptops. If you wish to see me about the course please make an appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. NO PLAGIARISM

course requirements Week 6: 11 November - Midterm Week 14: 6 January - Submission, Presentation and Evaluation of Critical Essay projects Week 15: 13 January - Final exam

Course schedule Week 3. A Retrospective of International Relations Theory (14 October) Week 4. Realism (21 October) Foundations of Neo-Realism Week 5. Liberalism (4 November) Foundations of Neo-Liberalism International Institutions & Neo-Liberal Institutionalism

Course schedule Week 7. The “Neo-Neo” Debate (18 November) Week 8. The End of the Cold War, Globalization & IR Theories (25 November) Week 9. The Constructivism (2 December) Constructivist Applications and Extensions Week 10. Alternative Approaches to IR Theory (9 December) Neo-Marxist Theories

Course schedule Week 10. Alternative Approaches to IR Theory (9 December) Neo-Marxist Theories Week 11. Alternative Approaches to IR Theory (16 December) The Theory of Two-level Games The Rational Choice Approach Evolutionary Theories of International Relations Week 12. English School (23 December) The English School of International Relations Communication in International Relations

Food for thought What is IR? How do you define “Theory”? Why do we need theories in studying IR?

Theory the·o·ry/ ˈ THēərē/ Noun: 1. A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, esp. one based on general principles independent of the thing to be...: "Darwin's theory of evolution" 2. A set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based: "a theory of education"; "music theory".

Theory Theories are analytical tools for understanding, explaining, and making predictions about a given subject matter. There are theories in many and varied fields of study, including the arts and sciences. A formal theory is syntactic in nature and is only meaningful when given a semantic component by applying it to some content (i.e. facts and relationships of the actual historical world as it is unfolding). Theories are always constructed in such a way that their general form is identical to a theory as it is expressed in the formal language of mathematical logic. Theories may be expressed mathematically, symbolically, or in common language, but are generally expected to follow principles of rational thought or logic.analyticalunderstandingexplainingpredictionssubject matterartssciencessyntacticsemanticfactsformal language mathematical logicrational thoughtlogic

International Relations Theories in the US