KOCAELİ UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF POLITICAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
FALL 2023-2024

SBK 207 – ADVANCED READINGS IN POLITICS

Assoc. Prof. Tuba KANCI
E-mail: tubakanci@gmail.com
Course assistant: Sadık ERTAŞ
E-mail: sadik.ertas@kocaeli.edu.tr

COURSE OVERVIEW
This course aims to introduce students to the current issues, concepts and methods of analysis
in political science. By the end of the course, you will be expected not only to have working
understanding of the main concepts, topics and approaches in political science, but also gain
ability to question the world, and make intelligent inquiries into the controversies surrounding
them using the analytical tools provided throughout the course. It does not aim to provide
clear-cut solutions to such controversies, instead the students are to use the tools and
frameworks provided and look at such issues from multiple angles.
The main textbook for the course is Andrew Heywood (2013), Politics, 4th ed., Palgrave.
Supplementary textbooks are Andrew Heywood (2018), Essentials of Political Ideas,
Palgrave; Andrew Heywood (2015), Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations, 2nd
ed., Palgrave. Specific chapters will be focused on from the first book; supplementary books
will be used as general reference sources.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The course will consist of lectures intertwined with discussions. The lectures and discussions
are to be conducted in English.
Students are expected to come to each class having done the assigned readings. Close and
critical reading is utterly necessary.
Throughout the course, you are expected to adhere to the principles of academic honesty.
Cheating and plagiarism are serious offences and will result in disciplinary action.
Assessment and Grading: There will be one midterm and one final examination. The exams
will be based on assigned readings, lectures, and in-class material (such as discussions).
 Midterm Exam: 40 %
 Final Exam: 60%
Attendance at every class is required. Students are responsible for any material that they miss.
In-class exercises will include unannounced quizzes and debates that will help clarify your
thoughts on the material.

1
During class discussions it is very likely that there will be disagreements; disagreements are
expected and welcomed if you follow the general rules of courtesy. Please do remember that
you are expected to show respect to everyone when they are presenting and defending their
opinions, making comments or asking questions.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: General introduction and review of the syllabus
Week 2-3: What is politics?
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.1
Heywood, Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations, “Uses and Abuses of
Political Concepts.”
Week 4: Political ideas and ideologies: Liberalism
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.2
Week 5: Political ideas and ideologies: Conservatism, Socialism
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.2
Week 6: Political ideas and ideologies: Nationalism -1
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.5
Week 7: Political ideas and ideologies: Nationalism -2

Week 8-9: Midterm

Week 10: Political ideas and ideologies: Fascism, Anarchism, Ecologism

Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.2
Week 11: Political ideas and ideologies: Cosmopolitanism, Post-colonialism
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.2
Week 12: Political ideas and ideologies: Feminism
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.2
Week 13: Politics and the state
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.3
Week 14: Democracy and legitimacy
Reading: Heywood, Politics, Chp.4
Recapitulation, overview and overall assessment of the course