PSI 303 International Relations Theory

2026 - 2027 Fall Semester

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökhan Akşemsettinoğlu                                    

Department of Political Science and International Relations

Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Çankaya University                         

E-mail: gokhana@cankaya.edu.tr

Web page: http://psi303.cankaya.edu.tr

Tel: 233 10 00 / 1249              Office: K – 414

Course Hours / Place                                                      

Thursday     13.20 – 14.10 / K - 102    

Office Hour / Place                                                                        

Wednesday   13.20 - 14.10 / K - 414

Thursday       10.20 - 11.10 / K - 414

Course Description

This course serves as an introduction to theories of International Relations (IR). The objective of this course is to help students to interpret and describe IR in terms of different types of theoretical approaches. In this course, theoretical perspectives are grouped into three broad categories. The first group contains traditional (positivist) theories such as realism, liberalism. The second group contains middle ground theories such as the English School and Constructivism. The third group contains critical theories such as Marxism, Post-Structuralism and Feminism. 

Course Requirements

In this course, students are required to attend at least 60 % of al schudeled classes. Students who do not fulfil this requirement will not be eligible to take the final examination and will receive a final grade of NA. Students are expected to read the assigned course materials (textbooks) regularly, and participate class discussions. There will be one midterm exam, two quizzes, and onr final exam during the semester. In these exams the students will be responsible from both course material and lectures.

Reading Materials

● Baylis, John, et. al. The Globalization of World Politics, 8th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2020

● McGlinchey, Stephen, Rosie Walters and Christian Scheinpflug (Editors). International Relations Theory, E-International RelationsPublishing, Bristol, England, 2017. 

● Dunne, Tim, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith (Editors). International Relations Theories, Discipline and Diversity, Third Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013.

● Donnely Jack. Realism and International Relations, Cambridge University Press, 2000, pp. 6-42

● Hobson M. John. The State and International Relations, Cambridge University Press, 2000, pp. 64-106

The copies of all required readings of these books are available in the photocopy room for duplication. Students are strongly recommended to have a complete set of readings for the course as soon as possible. Supplementary materials for the course will be announced during the semester for further study.

Grade Components

Class Participation (not Attendance)                    10 %

Quizzes                                                            20 %

Midterm Exam                                                  30 %

Final Exam                                                       40 %

 

Course Outline

● Introduction (1 week)

(Dunne, p. 14 – 32, McGlinchey, p. 3 - 9)

The Meaning and Nature of Theory in IR

A Brief Introduction to IR

 

● Realism and Neo-Realism (2 weeks)

(Baylis, p. 130-143; McGlinchey, p. 15-18; Dunne, p. 59 – 75 and 77 – 91; Donnely, p. 6 – 42)

Six Paradigms of Realism and the Prisoner's Dilemma

Balanced and Imbalanced Power; Polarity of the System

                                                                                            

● Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism (2 weeks)

(Baylis, p. 104 - 113); McGlinchey, p. 22-25; Dunne, p. 94 – 111 and 114 – 130)

Kantian Constraints; Democracy and International Trade

Liberal Institutionalism, Constructive Liberalism and Functionalism

                               

● The English School (1 week)

(Dunne, pp. 132 – 149; McGlinchey, p. 28-35)

Types of International Society

International Society Between System and World Society

 

● Constructivism (2 weeks)

(Baylis, p. 192 - 205); McGlinchey, p. 36-39; Dunne, pp. 187 – 202) 

The International Society-Centric Constructivist Theory of the State

The Social Construction of Reality and Radical Constructivism (Post-modernism)

 

● Marxism and Critical Theory (2 weeks)

(Baylis, p. 115 - 129); McGlincehy, p. 42-48; Dunne, p. 153 – 168 and 171 - 183; Hobson, p. 109 – 144)

Classical Marxism and Orthodox Neo-Marxism

The Frankfurt School and Critical Nature of Scientific Theory

Historical Materialism and the Meaning of Dialectical Theory

Western Marxism and Gramsci’s Theory of Hegemony

World System Theory (Classical and Neo-Classical)

                               

● Post-Structuralism (1 week)

(Baylis, p. 177 - 191); McGlincehy, p. 56-58; Dunne, p. 223 – 244)

Antifoundationalist Thinking in IR

The Cosmopolitan/Communitarian Debate 

                                                

● Feminism (1 week)

(Baylis, p. 145- 159); McGlinchey, p. 62-68; Dunne, p. 205 – 219)

Gender in IR and Typologies of Feminism

Gender in Global Economy and Politics