The Department of International Relations, under the umbrella of the Aydın Adnan Menderes University (ADÜ) Nazilli Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, aims to equip its students with the ability to analyze the international system from a multidimensional perspective. Our department endeavors to train students as well-equipped professionals and academics in the fields of diplomacy, international law, foreign policy analysis, security studies, and international political economy.
This guide serves as an institutional manual for prospective students considering our department and for those who have begun their studies.
Our Department of International Relations offers a robust theoretical and analytical curriculum aimed at providing students with an interdisciplinary approach. The academic synergy with our faculty's established departments—such as Economics, Finance, Public Administration, and Business Administration—provides our students with a holistic perspective on the core areas of the social sciences. Consequently, our graduates acquire advanced competence in both analytical thinking and policy-making.
International Relations is a field of social science that examines the relationships between states, international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, NATO, the European Union), multinational corporations, regional unions, and transnational actors. Its principal areas of study include diplomacy, war and peace processes, international law, foreign policy analysis, security studies, and international political economy.
By its nature, the discipline of International Relations requires a high level of academic and professional proficiency in at least one foreign language (particularly English). Our program lays a strong foundation with the compulsory "English Language Skills" course in the first semester. In subsequent years, this foundation is reinforced and transformed into academic and professional competence through a rich selection of elective courses such as "General English I," "General English II," "Professional Foreign Language," "Diplomatic Foreign Language," "Advanced English for International Relations I," and "Advanced English for International Relations II." Furthermore, our students are strongly encouraged to acquire a second strategic foreign language (such as German, French, Russian, Arabic, etc.) during their undergraduate studies.
Yes. Students in our department can study for one or two semesters at partner universities in Europe under the Erasmus+ Programme. Opportunities such as the Mevlana Programme (non-European exchange) and the Farabi Programme (domestic inter-university exchange) are also available. These programs provide our students with an international vision, cultural experience, and academic diversity.
Our graduates possess a wide spectrum of career options at both the national and international levels. The primary employment sectors are:
Our four-year (eight-semester) undergraduate program is structured upon a total of 240 ECTS credits. Of these credits, 160 ECTS (66.7%) comprise compulsory courses, 70 ECTS (29.2%) consist of departmental elective courses, and 10 ECTS (4.2%) are non-departmental elective courses. The program aims to provide students with progressive competence.
This year is dedicated to introducing the foundational social science disciplines that underpin International Relations. Students adapt to university life and academic study.
1st Semester Core Courses:
Introduction to Economics I (ECON101), Basic Concepts of Law (SBK103), Introduction to Political Science (SBK131), Introduction to Social Sciences (SBK506), History of Civilization (ULU110), and Introduction to University Life (ULU151).
2nd Semester Core Courses:
Introduction to Economics II (ECON102), Constitutional Law (SBK505), History of Western Political Thought (SBK507), Political History I (ULU103), and the direct introduction to the discipline, Introduction to International Relations (ULU152).
In this year, students begin to delve deeper into Political History and International Law, the main pillars of the International Relations discipline. Methodology training is provided to develop analytical skills.
3rd Semester Core Courses:
Political Life and Institutions in Turkey (SBK222), International Politics (ULU102), Political History II (ULU104), and International Law I (ULU255).
4. Yarıyıl Temel Dersleri:
Scientific Research Methods (ISL100), Political History III (ULU201), Foreign Policy Analysis (ULU252), and International Law II (ULU256). In this semester, students begin taking their first departmental electives.
The third year is a critical period where students take fundamental theoretical and thematic courses that constitute the "identity" of the discipline, while also broadening their vision with non-departmental courses.
5th Semester Core Courses:
Turkish Foreign Policy I (ULU351), International Relations Theories I (ULU353), International Organizations (ULU355), and Political Economy of International Relations (ULU357).
6th Semester Core Courses:
Turkish Foreign Policy II (ULU352), International Relations Theories II (ULU354), Comparative Political Systems (ULU356), and International Security Studies (ULU358).
The final year is a period where the compulsory course load is reduced, and students move toward specialization by selecting courses from a broad elective pool worth 40 ECTS (20+20). The focus is on applying acquired knowledge to contemporary global issues.
7th Semester Core Courses:
Contemporary Issues in International Relations (ULU451) and International Relations and Migration (ULU453).
8th Semester Core Courses:
Contemporary Issues in Turkish Foreign Policy (ULU452) and International Energy Politics (ULU454).
Specialization Areas:
In this year, students define their academic and professional profiles through regional courses such as Asia-Pacific, European Union, China, and Russian Foreign Policy, as well as applied and thematic electives like International Conflict Resolution, Simulations, and On-the-Job Training.
Advance your English to at least the C1 level. Reaching a level where you can read academic articles and write reports provides a significant career advantage. Begin learning a second foreign language early on.
Regularly read publications such as Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist. Follow reports from think tanks (SETA, ORSAM, RAND).
Actively participate in seminars, panels, and conferences organized by our faculty and department. These events provide both knowledge and networking opportunities.
To translate your theoretical knowledge into practice, undertake internships in public institutions, think tanks, international organizations, or the private sector. Volunteering strengthens your CV.
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