Bilkent University Quality Management in Education

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

Foundation

1987

Qualification Awarded

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

Level of Qualification

First Cycle Degree

Mode of Study

Full Time

Admission & Registration Requirements

To begin undergraduate studies at Bilkent, all Turkish citizens must take the entrance examinations YKS, administered by the national Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Based on the results of this exam, ÖSYM places students according to their preferences.
All international students who want to apply to Bilkent University for an undergraduate program have to go through an admission procedure. Various national exams and diplomas are used in evaluating the candidates.
In absence of these documents, the high school graduation score can also be evaluated for admission. The high school diploma and transcript along with an explanation of the high school's grading system will be needed.
English is the language of teaching at Bilkent University. Applicants are required to provide proof of their proficiency in English. Students whose level of English is insufficient to follow courses are required to enroll in the School of English Language.

Assessment of Student Performance

Apart from work conducted throughout the semester, students are usually asked to take a final examination and at least one midterm examination for a course. If a staff member considers it appropriate, practical laboratory work or other such assignments may be assessed as midterm examinations or as a final examination.

Grades are finalized when they are announced via the internet on the date specified in the Academic Calendar. Semester grades for practical studies and other non-lecture courses are determined by an evaluation of the student's overall work and performance throughout the semester.

Bilkent University's official grading system uses letter grades with pluses and minuses. Passing grades range from A+ to D; F, FX is failing. The quality-point equivalents of the grades are:

  A+   4.00   B+   3.30   C+   2.30   D+   1.30   F   0.00
  A   4.00   B   3.00   C   2.00   D   1.00   FX   0.00
  A-   3.70   B-   2.70   C-   1.70           FZ   0.00

Other grades used are S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), I (Incomplete), P (In Progress), T (Transfer), and W (Withdraw). These grades do not have quality-point equivalents.

S : accorded to students who are successful in non-credit courses.
     
U : accorded to students who are unsuccessful in non-credit courses.
     
I : accorded to students who, although otherwise successful, have failed to complete the required assignments for a course due to illness or some other valid reason. Proof of illness or other reason for non-completion must be submitted to the department chair within three days of the date of the final exam. A student receiving an incomplete grade for any course must make up for the deficiencies within 15 days after the final exam in order to obtain a grade. Otherwise, the grade I automatically becomes FX. At the discretion of the department chair, the period specified above may be extended until the beginning of the following semester.
     
P : progress.
     
T : reflects approved transferred courses from other universities or from an exchange program. A student with a grade of T is exempted from an equivalent number of credits on the condition that the courses are accepted by the department on the recommendation of the department chair and with the approval of the board of the faculty/school. This grade may provide an exemption for a particular course at the program.
     
W : student has withdrawn from the course before the end of the semester.

A student with extraordinary performance in a course may be granted an A+ grade. However, the number of A+ grades in a given course is limited based on class size: If the class size is less than 25 students, no A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 25 and 74 students, only one A+ grade may be given; if the class size is between 75 and 124 students, two A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 125 and 174 students, three A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 175 and 225 students, four A+ grades may be given; if the class size is more than 225 students, five A+ grades may be given. (The letter grade A+ was instituted beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.)

An undergraduate student who receives a grade of C or higher in a course (or S in a non-credit course) is considered to have satisfactorily completed that course.

A student who receives a grade of C-, D+, or D in a course can only be considered to have completed that course if his/her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 2.00 or higher.

A student receiving either F, FX, FZ, or U in a course is considered to be unsuccessful in that course. Students who have failed a course in the curriculum program must repeat the course within the following two semesters. Those who fail first year English courses must repeat these courses the very next semester they are offered. The university may register a student to these courses and not allow for a course to be dropped. Students on probation who received C-, D+ or D grades in previous semesters may repeat any of these courses.

In addition to taking the required courses in a given semester, students with "Satisfactory" standing may also repeat courses taken in the previous two semesters for which they received a B-, C+, C, C-, D+ or D grade, provided there is room in the section. Registration to these courses takes place on the dates as announced by the Rectorate.

On condition that at least one course of all curriculum requirements of an elective set has already been taken, an elective course from this elective set can be taken in place of courses taken before for this elective requirement. In this case, the previously taken elective course will appear in the transcript but will not be included in the CPA calculation. Once established, such course matching cannot be changed. The previously taken elective course can be repeated to fulfill another curriculum requirement.

A student's academic performance is determined at the end of each semester by computing an average of the grades he/she has received during that semester. For each course, the grade point equivalent of the letter grade received by the student is multiplied by the credit units for that course; the sum of these products is then divided by the total credit units taken in that semester to yield the Grade Point Average (GPA) for that semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by multiplying the grade point equivalent of the letter grade by the credit units for each course and then dividing the total sum by the total credit units taken in the program.

National Degree Qualifications

Basic Field Qualifications for Social and Behavioural Science (Academic - Weighted) - 6th Level - Bachelor's
NQF-HETR
LEVEL
KNOWLEDGE
- Theoretical
- Conceptual
SKILLS
- Cognitive
- Practical
COMPETENCES
Competence to Work
Independently and
Take Responsibility
Learning Competence Communication and Social
Competence
Field Specific Competence
6th Level Bachelor's

EQF-LLL:
6th Level

QF-EHEA:
1st Cycle
Qualifications that signify completion of the sixth cycle are awarded to students who
K1. Have advanced level of fundamental conceptual knowledge so as to consider its reflections in practice.
K2. Have command of fundamental concepts in social and behavioral sciences and relationships between concepts.
K3. Have basic knowledge of relationships between people and societies.
K4. Have basic knowledge of causes and consequences of transformations individuals and societies experience.
K5. Have knowledge on social research and planning.
K6. Have required practical and theoretical knowledge to obtain information by processing data at an advanced level.
S1. Analyse theoretical knowledge and evaluate its implication in practice.
S2. Access original information resources in the fields of social and behavioral sciences using written and visual records.
S3. Use technically advanced tools to acquire field-related data for reporting and presenting information.
S4. Use field related knowledge to make decisions, implement and apply them.
S5. Develop a capacity for interdisciplinary analysis skills and interpretation of information both from one’s on major subfields and other fields of social sciences.
W1. Be conscientious in fulfilling one’s duties and responsibilities.
W2. Solve a field related problem both as a team member and independently as an individual.
W3. Take responsibility both individually and as a team member in order to solve any unexpected problem faced in practice within the field.
W4. Plan and schedule sequence of operations of multi-party projects in the field and subfields, execute assigned duties at the desired level on time.
W5. Behave according to the requirements of social life, serve as a model for society.
L1. Evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired in the field critically.
L2. Know what and how to learn.
L3. Identify deficiencies in knowledge and practice related to the field.
L4. Demonstrate a capacity for ongoing interest and contributions in the field.
L5. To guide towards advanced study in the field or professional practice of comparable level.
L6. Have the capacity to share knowledge and learn together.
L7. Have raised awareness for lifelong learning and questioning.
C1. Communicate field related knowledge and skills in writing and speaking.
C2. Utilize at work and apply knowledge obtained through the education process.
C3. Reflects the theoretical foundation and conceptual richness attained during education in the individual’s professional career.
C4. Use expertise with a sense of social responsibility.
C5. Transform field related knowledge and practices to projects and activities within the framework of social responsibility.
C6. Monitor the developments in the field and communicate with peers using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio B1.
C7. Uses information and communication technology as well as computer software required by the field with at basic level competency of European Computer Driving License standards.
F1. Act according to social, cultural, scientific, and ethical values during the (gathering and analysis of data, interpretation and dissemination of results) process associated with the formation of field related knowledge and expertise.
F2. Have sufficient awareness about the issues of universality of social rights, social justice, quality and cultural values, together with environmental protection, occupational health and safety.
F3. Have an open attitude towards change and innovation.
F4. Interpret events and improve views about social and behavioral facts using body of methodologies and information provided by the field.

Education Objectives

Bilkent University Department of International Relations graduates are expected to attain the below-listed program educational objectives and apply them to their professional life following their graduation: • Become global citizens through integrating with the rest of the world, comprehend problems experienced by local, national, and international society, and contribute to the solutions of these problems. • Establish successful careers in a wide range of sectors including bureaucracy, diplomacy, academia, international organizations, private firms/businesses, non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations serving the community and demonstrate/employ the skills they learn throughout their education. • Be open to exhibit leadership and step forward within the community to transform and improve their social and professional environment by using the analytical skills they master • Embrace continuous learning, adapt to the fast-changing world by constantly updating the information and skills they learned during their education, and hence develop an ability to integrate to the contemporary global order.

Program Outcomes

  1. a. Demonstrate ability to use theoretical and empirical knowledge in International Relations
  2. b. Able to demonstrate a good understanding of key concepts in International Relations
  3. c. Able to utilize conceptual knowledge in International Relations to analyze past and present world affairs
  4. d. Able to use modern methods of scientific thought and tools to develop creative solutions for global challenges
  5. e. Develops writing and communication skills necessary to effectively organize ideas ve thoughts and to convey them to various audiences
  6. f. Able to be attentive and responsive to the needs of society in the face of pressing issues of national, regional and global issues of concern
  7. g. Able to demonstrate continuing interest and capacity in the analysis and management of international issues both independently and as part of a team
  8. h. Able to monitor developments and present viewpoints and solutions using different methodologies and conceptual and analytical perspectives in the field of International Relations
  9. i. Able to utilize the knowledge, expertise, skills and techniques gained through education during the course of professional roles and responsibilities assumed
  10. j. Takes advantage of the campus life where students are engaged in diversity, creativity and commitment outside coursework through artistic, cultural, sportive and intellectual activities

Program Outcomes/Degree Qualification Matrix

 Program Outcomes
Qualification(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
K6
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
L7
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
C7
F1
F2
F3
F4

Program Curriculum

First Year
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
ECON 107 Principles of Microeconomics 3 0 3 5
ENG 101 English and Composition I 5 0 3 5
GE 100 Orientation 0 0 1 2
HCIV 101 History of Civilization I 3 0 3 5
POLS 101 Politics I: What is it? 3 0 3 5
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 0 3 5
TURK 101 Turkish I 0 0 2 3,5
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
CS 121 Introduction to Computer Applications and Programming 2 2 3 5
ECON 108 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 0 3 5
ENG 102 English and Composition II 5 0 3 5 ELS 101 or ENG 101 or ENG 103
HCIV 102 History of Civilization II 3 0 3 5
IR 101 Introduction to World Politics 3 0 3 5
TURK 102 Turkish II 0 0 2 3,5
Second Year
 
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
GE 250 Collegiate Activities Program I 0 0 0 1
HIST 200 History of Turkey 3 0 4 6,5
IR 205 Diplomatic History 3 0 3 5
IR 227 Research Methods in International Relations 3 0 3 5
MATH 103 Thinking Mathematically I 3 0 3 5
PHIL 243 Social and Political Philosophy I 3 0 6 8,5
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
GE 251 Collegiate Activities Program II 0 0 1 2 GE 250
IR 236 20th Century World Politics 3 0 3 5
IR 335 International Relations Theory 3 0 3 5 IR 101
LAW 210 Basic Concepts of Law (in Turkish) 3 0 3 5
MATH 104 Thinking Mathematically II 3 0 3 5
PHIL 244 Social and Political Philosophy II 3 0 6 8,5
Third Year
 
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
IR 303 International Law 3 0 3 5
IR 338 International Political Economy 3 0 3 5
MATH 264 Statistics for Social Sciences 3 0 3 5
Computing Methods Elective 3
Humanities Core Elective 3
IR Elective 3
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
IR 305 International Organizations 3 0 3 5
IR 333 Foreign Policy Analysis 3 0 3 5
IR 358 International Security 3 0 3 5
Arts Core Elective 3
IR Elective 3
Science Core Elective 3
Fourth Year
 
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
IR 399 Summer Training 0 0 0 6
IR 439 Turkish Foreign Policy 3 0 3 5
IR Elective (2) 6
Unrestricted Elective (3) 9
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
GE 400 Transdisciplinary Senior Project 4 0 6 8,5
IR Elective (2) 6
Unrestricted Elective 3


Elective Courses in the Curriculum

Elective Count Program Outcomes Options
Arts Core Elective 1  
Computing Methods Elective 1  
Humanities Core Elective 1  
IR Elective 6  
Science Core Elective 1  
Unrestricted Elective 4