Objective of this course is to explain the origin, nature and development of the political power and try to create a theory that describes all aspects of the state functions. For this purpose the course will focus on the fundamental principles of public law and major political institutions.
In the context of this course, origins, nature and development of the political power, separation of powers, division of powers, rule of law, unitary, federal and confederal political systems, popular sovereignty, national sovereignty and national will are evaluated.
Vertical Tabs
Course Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes |
Program Learning Outcome |
Teaching Methods |
Assessment Methods |
The student who complete this course successfully: 1) Can explain political power, state authority, sovereignty, legitimacy of power and origin of the state. |
1,4 |
1,2,3 |
A, C |
2) Can explain the change of political power through the ages.
|
4,5 |
1,2,3 |
A, C |
3) Can discuss the ideas of important philosophers about political power from the ancient times to the present.
|
1,2,4 |
1,2,3 |
A, C |
4) Can explain formation of the modern state, unitary, federal and confederal political systems within the framework of sovereignty notion.
|
2,10 |
1,2,3 |
A, C |
5) Can explain the secularization and democratization of the state.
|
1,2,4 |
1,2,3 |
A, C |
6) Can explain such fundamental principles as separation of powers, and rule of law, which are indispensable for contemporary democratic regimes.
|
1,2,4 |
1,2,3 |
A, C |
Course Flow
Week |
Topics |
Study Materials |
1 |
Basic Concepts of Public Law: Power, authority, state authority, legitimation, sovereignty |
|
2 |
Origin of the state I: Nature of political power in primitive societies |
|
3 |
Origin of the state II: The transition from primitive societies to state societies; internal and external dynamics. |
|
4 |
Establishment of city states in ancient Mesopotamian Civilization |
|
5 |
City states in Greek Civilization |
|
6 |
Athenian democracy in ancient Greek Civilization |
|
7 |
Comparison of empires and states |
|
8 |
Feudal societies and feudal states |
|
9 |
Emergence of sovereign power: National states and sovereign power |
|
10 |
Limitation of sovereign power: Separation of powers and natural rights |
|
11 |
Democratization of sovereign power (J. J. Rousseau) |
|
12 |
Public interest: liberal and republican models |
|
13 |
Comparison of unitary, regional, federal and confederal political systems |
|
14 |
The theory of national sovereignty and its critics |
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Recommended Sources
Textbook |
Oktay Uygun, Devlet Teorisi, On İki Levha Yayıncılık, Istanbul, 2017 |
Additional Resources |
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Material Sharing
Documents |
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Assignments |
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Exams |
Assessment
IN-TERM STUDIES |
NUMBER |
PERCENTAGE |
Mid-terms |
1 |
70 |
Assignment |
1 |
30 |
Total |
|
100 |
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE |
|
60 |
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE |
|
40 |
Total |
|
100 |
COURSE CATEGORY |
Expertise/Field Courses |
Course’s Contribution to Program
ECTS
Activities |
Quantity |
Duration |
Total |
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) |
14 |
3 |
42 |
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) |
14 |
5 |
70 |
Mid-terms |
1 |
3 |
3 |
Homework |
1 |
4 |
4 |
Final examination |
1 |
3 |
3 |
Total Work Load |
|
|
122 |
Total Work Load / 25 (h) |
|
|
4,88 |
ECTS Credit of the Course |
|
|
5 |