A major structural change has taken place in Turkish society with the urban population surpassing the rural population for the first time in the Ottoman-Turkish continuum. The first rate of urbanization has not resulted in a parallel process of urban integration, creating serious problems in both tangible (infrastructure, housing, services and intangible (identity, participation, civic engagement) aspects of urban space. This dual character of urban settlements in Turkey has been compounded by a strained relationship between central and local govenment in sharing of competences and resources. The strategic decision of Turkey to join the European Union (EU); the need to harmonize policies; the prevalent trends and principles in the EU in the field of local govenment have created a new urgency to critically reappraise the administrative system in Turkey. The general tendency in the EU for decentralization, deconcentration and devolution, true to the spirit of local and regional governance, has necessitated local government reform to top the reform agenda in Turkey. Within the confines of the Course, a comparative analysis of existing institutions and processes will be taken up, followed by trends and evolving patterns of local governance in both the EU and Turkey.
Comparative Local Government (POLS 598)
| Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
| Computer Science and Engineering - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| European Studies - Non Thesis | * | ||
| European Studies - With Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Biological Sciences and Bioengineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Industrial Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Materials Science and Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Leaders for Industry Mechatronics Engineering - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Political Science - Non Thesis | * | ||
| Political Sciences - With Bachelor's Degree | * | ||
| Political Sciences - With Master's Degree | * | ||
| Political Science - With Thesis | * | ||
| Public Policy - With Thesis | * |
CONTENT
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this course is to familiarize the student on contemporary structure,
competences and trends pertaining to local government system in Turkey and the EU,
as well as interaction between the two.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Upon successful completion of " Local Government in Turkey and the European Union " students are expected to : - Identify early local service delivery institutions in Turkey and the EU, - Identify the basic concepts and tendencies having a bearing on local government in Turkey and the EU, - Relate the factors of divergence and convergence in the EU, - Define the milestones of local government evolution in Turkey, - Explain the functioning of multi-level governance in the EU, - Assess the challenges facing Turkish and EU local government comparatively, - Develop strategies and instruments to respond to the challenges.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 3
2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 3
3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 4
4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 3
5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 4
6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 3
7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 3
8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 2
9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 3
10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 3
11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 3
12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 3
13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 4
14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 2
15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 2
16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 3
1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 4
2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 4
3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 3
4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 3
5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 4
6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 4
1. Analyze historical and contemporary developments in Europe, specifically of the European integration process, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. 4
2. Grasp the main dynamics of the European order, politically, historically and economically. 4
3. Explain the European integration process and the EU's decision-making procedures and it's institutions. 4
1. Analyze historical and contemporary developments in Europe, specifically of the European integration process, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. 4
2. Grasp the main dynamics of the European order, politically, historically and economically. 4
3. Explain the European integration process and the EU's decision-making procedures and it's institutions. 4
1. Understand the policy-making process in the contemporary world. 5
2. Contribute to the design of public policy using a multidisciplinary perspective in specific policy areas. 5
3. Develop ability to evaluate the impact of public policy. 5
1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 3
1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 3
Update Date:
ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
| Percentage (%) | |
| Final | 75 |
| Midterm | 25 |
RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS
| Readings |
Understanding the European Union, John McCormick, New York: Palgrave, 1999. |