Head of Department message
Dear Students,
Welcome to the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the Turkish-German University. Our department’s objective is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of political science and international relations, while also training them as well-equipped individuals with a strong foundation in this country and a global perspective.
Our curriculum is comprehensive and diverse, encompassing core areas such as political science, international relations, European studies, political history and law. We take pride in our interdisciplinary approach, which encourages students to engage with different perspectives and develop the skills necessary to address complex global challenges.
The most important distinguishing feature of our department is the German language of instruction. This provides our students with the distinctive opportunity to develop an advanced understanding of the political, economic and social context of the German-speaking regions. Mastery of German also develops skills for working in multicultural environments and fosters a nuanced understanding of intercultural relations. On the other hand, our department also facilitates the enhancement of our students’ English proficiency through English language courses and elective academic courses held in English. In this way, we ensure that our graduates are able to use two foreign languages at an academic level.
Our department is comprised of Turkish and German academics, who contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience to our courses, and foster a dynamic and inclusive academic environment. In addition, guest lecturers from our partner university, the University of Cologne, contribute to our department with lectures and seminars. Thanks to the collaboration of Turkish and German academics, our students have the opportunity to learn from experts in their fields and experience different academic approaches. This diversity provides our students with a robust foundation in both theory and practice. Students are encouraged to think critically and to contribute to the global academic community in this field.
Our Mission
Our mission is to educate well-equipped, globally aware and responsible individuals, who are prepared to make significant contributions to the fields of political science and international relations. Our Priorities are as follows:
- Academic Excellence: Providing a rigorous academic foundation that empowers students with critical thinking, analytical skills and a comprehensive understanding of global political structures.
- Interdisciplinary Understanding: Encouraging students to explore the intersections between politics, culture, law and history by offering a curriculum that bridges multiple disciplines.
- Global Competence: Developing students' ability to contribute to an increasingly multicultural and interconnected world, with a particular focus on German language proficiency to interact more effectively with German-speaking regions.
Our Vision
Our vision is to make our department a leading centre of study in Political Science and International Relations, recognised both in Turkey and internationally for our academic rigour, innovative research, and commitment to social impact. We aim to:
- Advancing Research Excellence: Fostering an environment where faculty and students collaborate on cutting-edge research that addresses critical global issues, contributing to both the academic community and real-world applications.
- Strengthening International Ties: Establish and maintain partnerships with world-leading institutions to create unique educational opportunities, exchange programs and joint research initiatives.
- Promoting Social Responsibility: Empower students to use their knowledge and skills to promote peace, equality and justice in different societies by fostering a spirit of civic engagement and ethical responsibility.
Our department has a double diploma agreement with Chemnitz University with the vision of strengthening international cooperation and providing opportunities to our students on a global scale. Through this program, our students have the opportunity to graduate with two diplomas, one from the Turkish-German University and one from Chemnitz University.
In addition, the Erasmus agreements of our department with ten different universities provide our students with the opportunity to study abroad and to gain international experience.
Furthermore, our minor programs that we offer in collaboration with the departments of Business Administration, Sociology and Economics enable our students to gain expertise in different fields, enhancing our interdisciplinary approach. In this way, our graduates stand out as well-rounded individuals in both their academic and professional lives.
We are committed to developing the leaders of tomorrow, equipping them with not only academic knowledge but also with ethical perspectives and the practical skills necessary to make a meaningful impact. We invite you to explore our program and join us in the pursuit of excellence as we educate students for a rapidly changing world.
Head of Department of
Political Science and International Relations
