300270 Historical Evolution of Turkey-European Relations (S) (WiSe 2016/2017)

Course Content
As the European Union (EU) keeps enlarging its borders by integrating new member states and expanding its authority over national governments, arguments concerning the nature and future of the EU are understandably becoming more profuse. Also, the widening and deepening of the EU bring about the question of adaptation to European laws, regulations, norms and values. This process of adaptation to European standards by both member states and candidate states is basically defined as ‘Europeanization’. Turkey, as a candidate country since 1963, has always considered itself a part of the West and has shared its values since the country’s foundation. It regarded the association with the EU as an important asset for its foreign policy objective of Europeanization. In that framework, Turkey’s relationship with Europe is long rooted whether looked at in terms of trade, military power, culture or diplomacy. These have not been easy relationship, but have been critical in shaping the evolution of Turkey and also Europe.
This course generally analyses the evolution of the EU-Turkey relations from political, economical, cultural and social aspects. It provides the historical background of these relations dating it back to the post World War II order. The course covers the Ankara treaty, Association Agreement, Customs Union and the phases of Turkey's association with the EU. Turkey's position in the EU's enlargement process, and Turkish candidacy are also elaborated in detail. The public opinion in the EU towards Turkey’s membership, the role of culture, and the regional and local government in the EU will also be elaborated on. In this course, the students will study the different stages of this relationship and will try to project the future of European Integration in the global context and the relations between Turkey and the EU.
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Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able;
o To explain the dynamics of the process of enlargement by identifying the main actors and institutions involved,
o To examine Turkey-EU relations in a historical perspective by identifying the key milestones,
o To apply the theories of EU enlargement to Turkey-EU relations and make comparisons with other enlargement rounds,
o To analyze the political, legal and official dimensions of Turkey’s EU accession process,
Method :
The course will be conducted through:
- ex cathedra teaching by the course convenor,
- reading materials to prepare for each session,
- class discussions.
Expectations and Requirements :
There are three course requirements:
1) All students are expected to participate in class discussions actively and in an informed manner.
2) All students will write two research papers, each 30% of the final grade and take a final exam worth 30 % of the final grade.
3) Participation is 10% of the final grade.
Essay Presentation :
All students are required to write two research papers and take a final exam. The research papers are to be written on different aspects of Turkey’s relations with the EU. The first paper is due on Week 8, and the second paper is due on Week 15. Both of these papers will be on Turkey’s relations with the EU, theoretically based, and empirically researched. The papers will be both around 3000 words. The students are expected to produce a coherent work analyzing an aspect of Turkey’s relations with the EU drawing upon theories of European integration.

Bibliography

see syllabus