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POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (ENGLISH) - DOCTORATE

About the Program

Program consists of seven courses, seminar, proficiency exam, thesis proposal and dissertation study (240 ECTS total). The normal duration of this program is 8 semesters and the maximum duration is 12 semesters.

The student who is enrolled in a PhD program must fulfill at least one of the following conditions in order to graduate.

  1. Two papers presented at national or international scientific meetings,
  2. An article published in a peer-reviewed/ indexed journal, accepted for publication, or received a DOI number,
  3. Two papers presented at Social / Science symposiums organized by IZU.
  • The publication should be about the subject of the student's thesis or a subject related to the department.
  • In publications, the approval of the thesis supervisor must be obtained.
  • Publications must have the name of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Program Objectives & Goals

Objectives

  1. The Department of Political Science and International Relations aims to enable its students to follow, understand, question and analyze political, economic, social, cultural, philosophical and security-related issues by considering the developments at local, national, regional and global levels in a changing world.
  2. Program aims to provide its students with abilities to think outside the box by using contemporary as well as traditional theories and methodologies while reading the dynamism of change in the world.
  3. Program aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to analyze the interaction dynamics of both actors within national and global boundaries.
  4. The aim of this program is to analyze how sub-national, national and global level interactions develops; to examine different kinds of actors' decision-making mechanisms and to investigate under which conditions war and peace emerge.
  5. Program aims to provide the ability of making comparative analysis of different regions in the world.
  6. Program aims to educate specialists for the country who are responsive to the country's political and social issues, who can take responsibility for these issues, by embracing the ethical values; and to provide skills to be qualified for developing policy proposals based on scientific knowledge.
  7. Program aims to educate students to have information about how to access the academic sources and how to use them in the analyses, as well as to encourage them to conduct scientific studies.
Program Learning Outcomes

KNOWLEDGE

  1. Understand and critically evaluate major theories, approaches, methods, concepts and thinkers in political science and international relations
  2. Possess essential knowledge about the regulations of functioning of relations between individuals, organizations and states
  3. Possess the necessary knowledge in the level of theoretical and implementation to receive information by processing advanced level data that required by Political Science and International Relations
  4. Understand the interdisciplinary interaction with which the Political Science and International Relations field is related
  5. Develop and deepen the knowledge in the Political Science and International Relations field at an expert level based on undergraduate level qualifications

SKILL

  1. Make original oral and written presentations in national and/or international meetings in the field of Political Science and International Relations
  2. Possess the knowledge of theories in the field of Political Science and International Relations and able to report in business life and prepare works in accordance with academic rules
  3. Interpret the knowledge gained in the Political Science and International Relations field by integrating the information from different disciplines and create new knowledge
  4. Identify the problems encountered in the field of Political Science and International Relations, and develop or analyze solutions using research methods

COMPETENCE

  1. Acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to work effectively in teams and project groups individually or collectively
  2. Develop new strategic approaches to solve unforeseen and complex problems encountered in applications related to the field and produce solutions by taking responsibility
  3. Determine vision, purpose and goal related to the field of study
  4. Assess the basic knowledge and skills acquired in the field with an additive, interrogative and productive approach, identify and meet the learning needs
  5. Direct the acquired education in such a way as to produce a contribution to an advanced level of education or to a profession at the same level
  6. Use a foreign language at least at the European Language Portfolio B2 General Level, monitor the information in the field and communicate with colleagues
  7. Write well-organized, informed, logically argued, clear, persuasive, and stylistically correct essays and papers
  8. Use the information and communication technologies together with the computer software at the level required by the field
  9. Examine, develop, and act to change social relations and the norms that guide those relations from a critical point of view
  10. Possess sufficient consensus on the universality of social rights, social justice, quality and cultural values and environmental protection, occupational health and safety
  11. Demonstrate proficiency in thinking systematically about the ethical, normative and post-material dimensions of global politics
  12. Develop strategy, policy and implementation plans on the issues related to the field and assess the findings within the frame of quality processes
  1. Understand and critically evaluate major theories, approaches, methods, concepts and thinkers in political science and international relations
  2. Possess essential knowledge about the regulations of functioning of relations between individuals, organizations and states
  3. Possess the necessary knowledge in the level of theoretical and implementation to receive information by processing advanced level data that required by Political Science and International Relations
  4. Understand the interdisciplinary interaction with which the Political Science and International Relations field is related
  5. Develop and deepen the knowledge in the Political Science and International Relations field at an expert level based on undergraduate level qualifications
  6. Make original oral and written presentations in national and/or international meetings in the field of Political Science and International Relations
  7. Possess the knowledge of theories in the field of Political Science and International Relations and able to report in business life and prepare works in accordance with academic rules
  8. Interpret the knowledge gained in the Political Science and International Relations field by integrating the information from different disciplines and create new knowledge
  9. Identify the problems encountered in the field of Political Science and International Relations, and develop or analyze solutions using research methods
  10. Acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to work effectively in teams and project groups individually or collectively
  11. Develop new strategic approaches to solve unforeseen and complex problems encountered in applications related to the field and produce solutions by taking responsibility
  12. Determine vision, purpose and goal related to the field of study
  13. Assess the basic knowledge and skills acquired in the field with an additive, interrogative and productive approach, identify and meet the learning needs
  14. Direct the acquired education in such a way as to produce a contribution to an advanced level of education or to a profession at the same level
  15. Use a foreign language at least at the European Language Portfolio B2 General Level, monitor the information in the field and communicate with colleagues
  16. Write well-organized, informed, logically argued, clear, persuasive, and stylistically correct essays and papers
  17. Use the information and communication technologies together with the computer software at the level required by the field
  18. Examine, develop, and act to change social relations and the norms that guide those relations from a critical point of view
  19. Possess sufficient consensus on the universality of social rights, social justice, quality and cultural values and environmental protection, occupational health and safety
  20. Demonstrate proficiency in thinking systematically about the ethical, normative and post-material dimensions of global politics
  21. Develop strategy, policy and implementation plans on the issues related to the field and assess the findings within the frame of quality processes
Subject-Specific QualificationsProgramme Learning Outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical / Conceptual
  • Alanla ilgili temel kavramsal bilgilere, uygulamadaki yansımalarını da göz önünde bulunduracak şekilde sahiptir.
  • Sosyal ve Davranış Bilimlerinde temel kavramları kavrar, kavramlar arası ilişkilere hakimdir.
  • İnsanlar ve toplumlararası ilişkilerin işleyiş kurallarına dair temel bilgilere sahiptir.
  • Alanındaki ve alana bağlı alt dallardaki güncel ve ileri düzeydeki bilgileri özgün düşünce ve/veya araştırma ile uzmanlık düzeyinde geliştirebilme, derinleştirebilme ve alanına yenilik getirecek özgün tanımlara ulaşabilme becerisine sahiptir.
  • Sosyal ve Davranış Bilimlerinin gerektirdiği temel istatistik bilgisine ve mantıksal us yürütme süreçlerine vakıftır.
  • Sosyal Araştırma Planlama bilgisine ve uygulamalarına hakimdir.
  • Toplumlarının yaşadığı dönüşümlerin nedenleri ve sonuçları hakkında temel bilgilere sahiptir.
  • Understand and critically evaluate major theories, approaches, methods, concepts and thinkers in political science and international relations
  • Possess essential knowledge about the regulations of functioning of relations between individuals, organizations and states
  • Possess the necessary knowledge in the level of theoretical and implementation to receive information by processing advanced level data that required by Political Science and International Relations
  • Understand the interdisciplinary interaction with which the Political Science and International Relations field is related
  • Develop and deepen the knowledge in the Political Science and International Relations field at an expert level based on undergraduate level qualifications
SKILL
Cognitive / Pratical
  • Alanında bilimsel bir araştırmayı bağımsız olarak tasarlayıp yürütebilecek yetkinliğe sahiptir.
  • Alanına dair temelkuramlara hakim olma ve bilgilerden yola çıkarak akademik kurallara uygun eserler hazırlama bilgisine sahiptir.
  • Alanla ilgili kuramsal bilgileri analiz etme ve uygulamadaki yansımalarını değerlendirme becerisine sahiptir.
  • Alana ilişkin elde edilen bilgileri, ilgili kişilere teorik ve pratik esasları ile aktarabilme yeteneğine sahiptir.
  • Karar alma, kararı uygulama ve davranış haline getirmede alana ilişkin sahip olunan bilgileri kullanabilme becerisine sahiptir.
  • Make original oral and written presentations in national and/or international meetings in the field of Political Science and International Relations
  • Possess the knowledge of theories in the field of Political Science and International Relations and able to report in business life and prepare works in accordance with academic rules
  • Interpret the knowledge gained in the Political Science and International Relations field by integrating the information from different disciplines and create new knowledge
  • Identify the problems encountered in the field of Political Science and International Relations, and develop or analyze solutions using research methods
COMPETENCE
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility
  • Alanı ile ilgili vizyon, amaç ve hedef belirler.
  • Alanına yenilik getiren, yeni bir düşünce, yöntem, tasarım ve/veya uygulama geliştiren ya da bilinen bir düşünce, yöntem, tasarım ve/veya uygulamayı farklı bir alana uygulayan özgün bir çalışmayı gerek bağımsız olarak gerekse de ekip çalışmasıyla gerçekleştirerek alanındaki ilerlemeye katkıda bulunur.
  • Alanı ile ilgili en az bir bilimsel makaleyi bireysel ya da ekip çalışması ile hazırlayıp ulusal ve/veya uluslararası hakemli dergilerde yayınlayarak ve/veya özgün bir yapıt üreterek ya da yorumlayarak alanındaki bilginin sınırlarını genişletir.
  • Alana özgün ve disiplinlerarası sorunların çözümlenmesini gerektiren ortamlarda liderlik yapar.
  • Alanla ilgili uzmanlığı, ilgili kurumlarla işbirliği içinde değerlendirir.
  • Alanındaki ulusal ve/veya uluslararası toplantılarda sözlü ve yazılı özgün sunumlar yapar.
  • Alanla ilgili her türlü proje veya hedefi planlar ve yönetir.
  • Acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to work effectively in teams and project groups individually or collectively
  • Develop new strategic approaches to solve unforeseen and complex problems encountered in applications related to the field and produce solutions by taking responsibility
  • Determine vision, purpose and goal related to the field of study
Learning Competence
  • Alanla ilgili elde edilen bilgileri neden-sonuç ve eleştiri süzgecinden geçirir ve değerlendirir.
  • Alanla ilgili bilgi ve uygulama eksikliklerini tespit eder.
  • Alanla ilgili ilgi ve isteği sürekli canlı tutabilecek seviyededir.
  • Alanı ile ilgili ulusal ve uluslararası yayınları takip eder.
  • Alanla ilgili bilgileri, alan araştırmaları yaparak geliştirir.
  • Yaratıcı ve eleştirel düşünme, sorun çözme ve karar verme gibi üst düzey zihinsel süreçleri kullanarak alanı ile ilgili yeni düşünce ve yöntemler geliştirir.
  • Assess the basic knowledge and skills acquired in the field with an additive, interrogative and productive approach, identify and meet the learning needs
  • Direct the acquired education in such a way as to produce a contribution to an advanced level of education or to a profession at the same level
Communication and Social Competence
  • Alanı ile ilgili edindiği bilgi ve becerileri, yazılı ve sözlü olarak aktarır.
  • Alanla ilgili bilgi ve uygulamaları, sosyal sorumluluk yaklaşımı çerçevesinde proje ve etkinliklere dönüştürür.
  • İş yaşamına dahil olduğunda kuramsal altyapı ve kavramsal zenginliğinin yarattığı farklılığı bireysel kariyerine yansıtır.
  • Alanla ilgili çözüm önerilerini bilimsel verilerle desteklemek suretiyle yetkin olanlarla paylaşır.
  • Alanının gerektirdiği düzeyde bilgisayar yazılımı ile birlikte bilişim ve iletişim teknolojilerini ileri düzeyde kullanır.
  • Bir yabancı dili en az Avrupa Dil Portföyü C1 Genel Düzeyinde kullanarak alanındaki bilgileri izler ve meslektaşları ile iletişim kurar.
  • Uzman kişiler ile alanındaki konuların tartışılmasında özgün görüşlerini savunur ve alanındaki yetkinliğini gösteren etkili bir iletişim kurar.
  • Use a foreign language at least at the European Language Portfolio B2 General Level, monitor the information in the field and communicate with colleagues
  • Write well-organized, informed, logically argued, clear, persuasive, and stylistically correct essays and papers
  • Use the information and communication technologies together with the computer software at the level required by the field
  • Examine, develop, and act to change social relations and the norms that guide those relations from a critical point of view
Field Specific Competence
  • Alanla ilgili bilgi ve birikimlerin oluşturulması (toplama, yorumlama ve sonuçların duyurulması) sürecinde toplumsal, kültürel, bilimsel ve etik değerlere uygun hareket eder.
  • Alanı ile ilgili konularda karşılaşılan toplumsal, bilimsel, kültürel ve etik sorunların çözümüne gerek ulusal gerekse de uluslararası düzeyde katkıda bulunur ve bu değerlerin gelişimini destekler.
  • Değişime ve yeniliğe karşı açık tutuma sahiptir.
  • Alanla ilgili konularda yeni ve bilimsel araştırmalar yapar ve sorunlar için çözüm önerileri geliştirir.
  • Sosyal hakların evrenselliği, sosyal adalet, kalite ve kültürel değerler ile çevre koruma, iş sağlığı ve güvenliği konularında yeterli bilince sahiptir.
  • Possess sufficient consensus on the universality of social rights, social justice, quality and cultural values and environmental protection, occupational health and safety
  • Demonstrate proficiency in thinking systematically about the ethical, normative and post-material dimensions of global politics
  • Develop strategy, policy and implementation plans on the issues related to the field and assess the findings within the frame of quality processes
Relationship Between Programme Learning Outcomes and Objectives
KNOWLEDGEOBJECTIVET%
Theoretical / ConceptualO1O2O3O4O5O6O7
1Understand and critically evaluate major theories, approaches, methods, concepts and thinkers in political science and international relations 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔32%91,43
2Possess essential knowledge about the regulations of functioning of relations between individuals, organizations and states 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔30%85,71
3Possess the necessary knowledge in the level of theoretical and implementation to receive information by processing advanced level data that required by Political Science and International Relations 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔30%85,71
4Understand the interdisciplinary interaction with which the Political Science and International Relations field is related 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔29%82,86
5Develop and deepen the knowledge in the Political Science and International Relations field at an expert level based on undergraduate level qualifications 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔34%97,14
SKILLOBJECTIVET%
Cognitive / PraticalO1O2O3O4O5O6O7
1Make original oral and written presentations in national and/or international meetings in the field of Political Science and International Relations 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔31%88,57
2Possess the knowledge of theories in the field of Political Science and International Relations and able to report in business life and prepare works in accordance with academic rules 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔29%82,86
3Interpret the knowledge gained in the Political Science and International Relations field by integrating the information from different disciplines and create new knowledge 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔32%91,43
4Identify the problems encountered in the field of Political Science and International Relations, and develop or analyze solutions using research methods 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔31%88,57
COMPETENCEOBJECTIVET%
Competence to Work Independently and Take ResponsibilityO1O2O3O4O5O6O7
1Acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to work effectively in teams and project groups individually or collectively 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔29%82,86
2Develop new strategic approaches to solve unforeseen and complex problems encountered in applications related to the field and produce solutions by taking responsibility 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔31%88,57
3Determine vision, purpose and goal related to the field of study 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔31%88,57
Learning CompetenceO1O2O3O4O5O6O7
1Assess the basic knowledge and skills acquired in the field with an additive, interrogative and productive approach, identify and meet the learning needs 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔30%85,71
2Direct the acquired education in such a way as to produce a contribution to an advanced level of education or to a profession at the same level 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔29%82,86
Communication and Social CompetenceO1O2O3O4O5O6O7
1Use a foreign language at least at the European Language Portfolio B2 General Level, monitor the information in the field and communicate with colleagues 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔31%88,57
2Write well-organized, informed, logically argued, clear, persuasive, and stylistically correct essays and papers 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔30%85,71
3Use the information and communication technologies together with the computer software at the level required by the field 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔ 5 VH ✔25%71,43
4Examine, develop, and act to change social relations and the norms that guide those relations from a critical point of view 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔26%74,29
Field Specific CompetenceO1O2O3O4O5O6O7
1Possess sufficient consensus on the universality of social rights, social justice, quality and cultural values and environmental protection, occupational health and safety 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔31%88,57
2Demonstrate proficiency in thinking systematically about the ethical, normative and post-material dimensions of global politics 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔ 5 VH ✔35%100,00
3Develop strategy, policy and implementation plans on the issues related to the field and assess the findings within the frame of quality processes 5 VH ✔ 3 M ✔ 4 H ✔ 3 M ✔ 3 M ✔ 5 VH ✔ 4 H ✔27%77,14
NUMBER OF PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES (21)21212121212121--
WEIGHT104978283848796--
PERCENTAGE%99,05%92,38%78,10%79,05%80,00%82,86%91,43--
CONTRIBUTION LEVEL - MEDIUM [3] (M)0269673
CONTRIBUTION LEVEL - HIGH [4] (H)14114943
CONTRIBUTION LEVEL - VERY HIGH [5] (VH)20154861015

* T: Total, %: Percentage

O1 — The Department of Political Science and International Relations aims to enable its students to follow, understand, question and analyze political, economic, social, cultural, philosophical and security-related issues by considering the developments at local, national, regional and global levels in a changing world.

O2 — Program aims to provide its students with abilities to think outside the box by using contemporary as well as traditional theories and methodologies while reading the dynamism of change in the world.

O3 — Program aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to analyze the interaction dynamics of both actors within national and global boundaries.

O4 — The aim of this program is to analyze how sub-national, national and global level interactions develops; to examine different kinds of actors' decision-making mechanisms and to investigate under which conditions war and peace emerge.

O5 — Program aims to provide the ability of making comparative analysis of different regions in the world.

O6 — Program aims to educate specialists for the country who are responsive to the country's political and social issues, who can take responsibility for these issues, by embracing the ethical values; and to provide skills to be qualified for developing policy proposals based on scientific knowledge.

O7 — Program aims to educate students to have information about how to access the academic sources and how to use them in the analyses, as well as to encourage them to conduct scientific studies.

Contribution Level: 3 = Medium 4 = High 5 = Very High
Contribution Level: M = Medium H = High VH = Very High
Contribution Level: ✔ = Has contribution
Teaching Methods

The most frequently used Instructional Methods of the PhD degree graduate program Political Science and International Relations Department are given below:

  • Expression
  • Question-Answer
  • Discussion
  • Exercise and Practice
  • Presentation
  • Group Study
  • Brain Storming
  • Case Anaylsis
  • Field Practice
  • Self study
  • Problem Solving
  • Project Based Learning (Including Field Work)
Assessment Methods

The most frequently used Grading Methods of the PhD degree programs of Political Science and International Relations Department are given below:

  • Testing (Essay / Tests: True-Falls, multiple-choice, short answer, matching)
  • Oral Exam
  • Homework
  • Project / Design
  • Portfolio
  • Performance Assignment (Field Work / Seminar / Presentation / Completion Study / Thesis)
Degree and Level Awarded

Degree Earned:

Students who complete the requirements of the program are entitled to receive a PhD degree in Political Science and International Relations.

Level of Degree Earned:

National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in Turkey (NQF-HETR): 8

Qualification Frameworks of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA): 3

European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL): 8

Admission Requirements

- Having a master's degree with a thesis in Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Sociology or History, Political Science and/or International Relations, Political Science/International Relations, and non-graduate preparatory undergraduate programs in Political Science/International Public Relations or Public Studies is applied.
- To get at least 55 points from ALES (any of the SÖZ or EA-score types). See table for GRE-ALES equivalence.

- To get at least 70 points from YDS or YÖKDİL (English) or an equivalent score from foreign language (English) exams accepted as equivalent by ÖSYM.

- Graduates of the Non-Thesis Master's Program cannot apply to the doctoral program. However, students who registered or graduated from non-thesis master's programs before 6/2/2013 can apply to doctoral programs.

- The courses of this program are given at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Halkalı campus.

Graduation Requirements

In order for students to graduate from this program:

- Students must take at least 240 ECTS courses and have a GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00.

- Students, who completed course phase, submit a thesis proposal with the thesis form to the Institute and enter the preliminary examination, before starting their theses. After their proposals approved by the Institute and they passed their preliminary examination, they can start their theses. The rules written in "IZU Graduate Education and Examination Regulations - Articles 21" are applied in the processes for the preliminary examination.

- Students who successfully complete their courses and successfully passed the preliminary examination have to write an original PhD thesis, defend this thesis in front of the jury and submit the thesis.

- The rules written in "IZU Graduate Education and Examination Regulations - Articles 23, 24 and 25" are applied in the processes for the PhD thesis and its completion.

- The student who is enrolled in a PhD program must also fulfill at least one of the following conditions in order to graduate.

  1. Two papers presented at national or international scientific meetings,
  2. An article published in a peer-reviewed/ indexed journal, accepted for publication, or received a DOI number,
  3. Two papers presented at Social / Science symposiums organized by IZU.
  • The publication should be about the subject of the student's thesis or a subject related to the department.
  • In publications, the approval of the thesis supervisor must be obtained.
  • Publications must have the name of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University
Recognition of Prior Learning

Master's degree graduates who meet the admission requirements to the PhD Program of Political Science and International Relations and who are successful in the science exam are accepted to the program. With the recommendation of the exam jury and the approval of the head of the department, they enroll in the PhD Program of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Graduate Education Institute, Department of Political Science and International Relations.

However, with the approval of the head of the department, the Scientific Preparation Program can be applied to students who have completed their undergraduate or master education in a field other than those specified in the admission requirements.

Employment Opportunities

There are job opportunities for our graduates in the public and private sectors. In the public sector, graduates can find jobs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, European Union and International Relations departments. In addition, they can work in state institutions such as all ministries and undersecretariats, state economic enterprises, development agencies. Our graduates can work as a specialist-inspector, as well as in positions such as district governor and civil servant.

In the private sector, students have the opportunity to work in different departments of the companies thanks to the interdisciplinary training experiences they have received at the Institute. They can work in international organizations, non-governmental organizations, research centers, think-tanks, various mass communication organizations and international banks. They can also work as an academic staff by doing academic studies at universities.

Access to Further Studies

Students who complete the requirements of the program are entitled to receive a PhD degree in Political Science and International Relations

Study Plan

1th Semester

Number of Compulsory Courses: 8 Number of Elective Courses: 0

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 699 Seminar CompulsoryEnglish20027.52
BLS 001 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
BLS 002 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
BLS 003 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
BLS 004 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 101 Introduction to Political Science Scientific PreparationEnglish300353
POL 211 Classical Political Thought Scientific PreparationEnglish300353
POL 319 Comparative Politics Scientific PreparationEnglish300363
Total:23002353,523,0

1th Semester Elective Courses

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 567 Human Rights in Global Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 577 Global Political Economy Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 597 Scientific Research Methods Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 617 Society and Power Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 619 Postcolonial Theory and Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 623 Global Governance Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 624 Politics and Society in the Middle East Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 625 Contemporary Balkan Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 629 Contemporary Issues in Turkish Foreign Policy Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 631 State Theories Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 637 Foreign Policy Analysis Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 639 Peace and Conflict Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 643 Comparative Democratization Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 647 The Far Right and Authoritarianism Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
Total:420042105,042,0

2nd Semester

Number of Compulsory Courses: 4 Number of Elective Courses: 0

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 699 Seminar CompulsoryEnglish20027.52
BLS 001 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
BLS 002 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
BLS 003 Departmental Elective Course Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
Total:11001130,011,0

2nd Semester Elective Courses

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 538 Theories of Democracy Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 542 Gender and Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 544 Multiculturalism and Democracy Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 546 Religion and Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 602 Political Thought in Turkey Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 604 Ottoman Diplomacy Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 618 State and Civil Society Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 620 Political Theory Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 622 Contemporary Issues in EU Governance Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 624 Politics and Society in the Middle East Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 630 Nationalism, Ethnicity and Identity Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 636 Europe in Global Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 638 Nihilism and Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 640 Turkey Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 642 American Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 644 Readings on International Relations Theories Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
POL 646 Current Issues in Global Politics Departmental ElectiveEnglish30037.53
Total:510051127,551,0

3rd Semester

Number of Compulsory Courses: 1 Number of Elective Courses: 0

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 600-1 Ph.D. Qualifiying Exam ThesisEnglish0000300
Total:000030,00,0

4th Semester

Number of Compulsory Courses: 1 Number of Elective Courses: 0

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 600-2 Ph.D. Thesis Proposal ThesisEnglish0000300
Total:000030,00,0

5th Semester

Number of Compulsory Courses: 1 Number of Elective Courses: 0

CodeCourse NameTypeLanguage of InstructionTPLHECTSCr.
POL 600-3 Ph.D. Thesis ThesisEnglish00001200
Total:0000120,00,0

Course Load Summary

Course Load SummaryTPLHECTSCr.
Grand Total (Number of Courses: 15)340034263,534,0
Compulsory Course Total (Number of Courses: 2)400415,04,0
Elective Course Total (Number of Courses: 7)21002152,521,0
Course TypeNumber of CoursesRatio (%)
Zorunlu Ders213,33
Seçmeli Ders746,67
Bölüm Dışı Seçmeli Ders00,00

T: Theory, P: Practice, L: Laboratory, WCH: Weekly Course Hours, ECTS: European Credit Transfer System, Cr.: Credit

Core Area Distribution
Core AreaTotal ECTSRatio (%)
Humanities168.589.4%
Humanities158%
Business and Administration52.7%
Course Category List

Compulsory Courses

CourseECTSRatio (%)
POL 699 - Seminar7.5
22 - Humanities%100

Elective Courses

CourseECTSRatio (%)
POL 101 - Introduction to Political Science5
34 - Business and Administration%100
POL 211 - Classical Political Thought5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 319 - Comparative Politics6
22 - Humanities%100
POL 538 - Theories of Democracy7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 544 - Multiculturalism and Democracy7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 546 - Religion and Politics7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 567 - Human Rights in Global Politics7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 597 - Scientific Research Methods7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 602 - Political Thought in Turkey7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 604 - Ottoman Diplomacy7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 617 - Society and Power7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 618 - State and Civil Society7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 619 - Postcolonial Theory and Politics7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 620 - Political Theory7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 622 - Contemporary Issues in EU Governance7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 623 - Global Governance7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 624 - Politics and Society in the Middle East7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 629 - Contemporary Issues in Turkish Foreign Policy7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 630 - Nationalism, Ethnicity and Identity7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 631 - State Theories7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 639 - Peace and Conflict7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 643 - Comparative Democratization7.5
22 - Humanities%100
POL 644 - Readings on International Relations Theories7.5
22 - Humanities%100