Master in Political Science and International Relations

ALCU

Master In Political Science And International Relations

The Master’s Program in Political Science and International Relations is believed to make a significant contribution to scientific and academic research and the cultivation of expertise in this field. Considering that teaching and scientific research are integral components of university education and complement each other, it is deemed necessary to open the Master’s Program in Political Science and International Relations to enhance the quality of the teaching process and expand and deepen the academic research process. Furthermore, the existence of faculty members capable of conducting the Master’s Program in Political Science and International Relations, and the diversity in our academic staff in the fields of political science and international relations, constitute fundamental motivations for establishing this program. The primary objectives of the proposed Master’s program are as follows:

To meet the demand for human resources specializing in Political Science and International Relations and/or seeking to pursue a career in this field.
To contribute to scientific research in the fields of political science and international relations in both the public and private sectors of the TRNC and to the qualified human capital portfolio both locally and globally through our graduates.
To facilitate the development of education and applications in the fields of political science and international relations at our university and contribute to multidimensional scientific research in this direction.

The program will be named the “Master’s Program in Political Science and International Relations” and will be conducted within the Graduate Education Institute of the Altınbaş Cyprus University. The medium of instruction for the program will be English. The Master’s Program in Political Science and International Relations is designed to meet the needs of the increasingly globalized world. The rapid changes and transformations occurring in our world necessitate the examination of politics (actors and institutions) at local, regional, and global levels. Our program primarily aims to meet the need for a comprehensive investigation of political phenomena. In this context, our Master’s program is planned to cater to candidates who have set their sights on an academic career and those aspiring to work as researchers or experts in institutions or organizations.

YEAR 1
*FALL*
Course No	Course Code	Course Name	Course Category	Credit				Pre-requisite
Course No	Course Code	Course Name	Course Category	T	P	C	ECTS
1	PSIR501	Social and Political Theories	DC	3	0	3	6
2	SSRM501	Research Methods for Social Sciences	DC	3	0	3	6
3	XXX	Department Elective	DE	3	0	3	6
4	XXX	Department Elective	DE	3	0	3	6
5	XXX	Department Elective	DE	3	0	3	6
Total Credits				15	0	15	30

*SPRING*
6	PSIR598	Seminar	DC	0	0	0	18
7	XXX	Department Elective	DE	3	0	3	6
8	XXX	Department Elective	DE	3	0	3	6
Total Credits				6	0	6	30

YEAR 2
*FALL*
9	PSIR599	Thesis	DC	0	0	0	30
Total Credits				0	0	0	30
*SPRING*
10	PSIR599	Thesis	DC	0	0	0	30
Total Credits				0	0	0	30

ELECTIVE COURSES

Course No	Course Code	Course Name	Credit				Pre-requisite
Course No	Course Code	Course Name	T	P	C	ECTS
1.	PSIR503	Issues in International Relations	3	0	3	6
2.	PSIR502	Comparative Politics	3	0	3	6
3.	PSIR504	International and Comparative Political Economy	3	0	3	6
4.	PSIR506	Theories of the State	3	0	3	6
5.	PSIR505	Comparative Public Policy	3	0	3	6
6.	PSIR507	Ethnicity and Religion in Politics	3	0	3	6
7.	PSIR508	Peace Studies	3	0	3	6
8.	PSIR509	Security Studies	3	0	3	6
9.	PSIR510	Critical Geopolitics	3	0	3	6
10.	PSIR511	Globalization and International Organizations	3	0	3	6
11.	PSIR512	Theories of Nationalism	3	0	3	6

COURSE BREAKDOWN

			Total
			Number			Credit	ECTS Credits
All Courses			8			21	60
University Compulsory Courses
University Elective Courses
Non-Faculty Compulsory Courses
Faculty Compulsory Courses
Faculty Elective Courses
Department Compulsory Courses			3			6	30
Department Elective Courses			5			15	30
Thesis			1				60

Semester	1	2		3	4
Number of courses	5	3		1	1
Total credits	15	6		0	0
Total ECTS Credits	30	30		30	30

ABBREVIATIONS

T: Theoretical
P: Practical
C: Credits
ECTS: European Credit Transfer System
UC: University Compulsory (courses which are compulsory for all students)
UE: University Elective (elective course opened by the university)
FC: Faculty Compulsory (compulsory courses opened by another department within the faculty)
FE: Faculty Elective (compulsory course opened by another department within the faculty)
NFC: Non-Faculty Compulsory (compulsory course opened by another department in another faculty)
NFE: Non-Faculty Elective (elective course opened by another department in another faculty)
DC: Department Compulsory (compulsory course opened by the department)
DE: Department Elective (elective course opened by the department)

COMPULSORY COURSES

PSIR501 – Social and Political Theories

This course will provide a close reading of contemporary social and political theories in order to introduce the student to a deeper understanding of real-world domestic and international problems such as political oppression, social inequalities and uneven development. The student will be equipped with the critical conceptual tools required for the study of social and political phenomena at postgraduate level.

SSRM501 – Advanced Research Methods Social Science

This course aims to study a variety of methods for researching politics in the contemporary world. Besides some general and theoretical issues of research methodology, the course mainly aims to concentrate on carrying out research projects using different methodologies in practical terms.

PSIR 598-Seminar

This course aims to introduce students to a structured way of conducting research and to help fulfill program requirements. Students are expected to have a discussion and make the presentation of a draft of their prospective research paper.

PSIR599-Thesis

This course is designed to guide M.A. students through the process of developing and executing their theses. It provides comprehensive support for planning, researching, and writing a high-quality thesis. The course is structured to ensure that students gain the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to produce an original and impactful research document. Additionally, students will receive guidance on navigating the ethical and administrative aspects of thesis work.

ELECTIVE COURSES

PSIR502 – Comparative Politics

This course is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of the comparative study of political systems. The students will be asked to seek critical answers to questions such as: What are the consequences of constitutional design? What makes certain polities more democratic than others? How does political development vary across countries?

PSIR503 – Issues in International Relations

This course examines the principal challenges shaping global politics in the 21st century, focusing on critical issues such as conflict and security, global governance, human rights, climate change, migration, and the growing influence of non-state actors. Utilizing a range of theoretical frameworks and empirical case studies, students will analyze how states, international organizations, and other global actors respond to complex and interconnected problems. Particular attention is given to the dynamics of power, diplomacy, and the multifaceted effects of globalization.

PSIR504 – International and Comparative Political Economy

This course is designed to review key texts on industrialization, class conflicts, underdevelopment, the tension between democracy and economic growth, neoliberalism, trade, financialization, and economic crises. This will be an evaluation of the roots and consequences of the current social and economic problems in global terms.

PSIR505 – Comparative Public Policy

This course will offer intensive training in the analytical comparison of social and public policies in an international context. Variations in national policy patterns in different regions of the world will be investigated across a range of policy topics such as education, health, welfare, and employment.

PSIR506 – Theories of the State

The state continues to be one of the main objects of analysis in political studies. In this course, the student will be offered a conceptual history of the notion of state. By comprehending how political theory made sense of this ubiquitous organization from the Renaissance onwards, the role of the state in the face of contemporary social, economic, and political challenges will be problematized.

PSIR507 – Ethnicity and Religion in Politics

The course is designed to equip the students with the theoretical approaches to the role of ethnic, national, and religious identities in politics as well as acquaint them with significant case studies on this topic. How does ethnic conflict form and unfold? How does nationalism inform state-building? What should be the role of religion in politics? These are some of the key questions to be explored throughout the course.

PSIR508 – Peace Studies

This course aims to introduce key concepts in peace and conflict research. It covers key theoretical assumptions on the causes, dynamics, and resolution of armed conflict; and discusses the nature and development of conflicts within and between states.

PSIR509 – Security Studies

This course aims to discuss national and international security issues in depth. Students will be encouraged to take part in the conceptual and theoretical debates in class. Key texts from the history of international politics will be studied the basic security concepts, such as deterrence, bipolarity, security regimes and many more will be addressed.

PSIR510– Critical Geopolitics

This course aims to review texts regarding the key concepts of critical geopolitics, and the theories and debates that surround these concepts. It aims to lead students to think critically about the political causes, consequences, and discourse of contemporary geopolitics.

PSIR511- Globalization and International Organizations

In this course, the function of international organizations in the era of globalization is examined. It also investigates the roles of state and non-state actors in global governance. The course attempts to study the changing dynamics of the international system and the development of new players by examining current regional and worldwide political, economic, socio-cultural, and humanitarian challenges in modern world affairs.

PSIR512 – Theories of Nationalism

The main aim of this course is to provide a systematic overview of some of the main theoretical approaches to nationalism and to consider the main criticisms levelled against them from a comparative perspective. Secondly, to highlight the limitations of the classical debate and identify the theoretical problems we still face. The course will enable students to propose an alternative theoretical framework that can be used to study nationalism in light of these considerations.