Course Syllabus

IMS 8v60
Seminar on Doing Business in Western Europe: Area Study: Turkey
Summer 2006

Instructor: Dr. Habte Woldu

Phone: (972) 883-6357
E-mail: wolduh@utdallas.edu
Office: SM.4.805
Office hours: T, R & F 4:45:6:00

Course Description:

The course deals with the business environments in Turkey and the opportunities and the
challenges the country is facing currently. The course also helps students understand the
changes and dynamics that have been taking place in Turkey with reference to the
process of the country’s preparation to join the European Union. Students, through
various contemporary research papers and guest speakers will be able to identify the
comparative advantages of Turkey and discusses how such conditions would benefit
other countries that might be interested in having economic ties in international trade and
foreign investment. Furthermore, the course also helps students understand why
Turkey’s geopolitical position is so important for Middle East countries, for EU as well
as United States of American.

Objectives:

• Understanding the historical background of modern Turkey

• Orientation of the country’s state of socio-economic condition
• Understanding the political stability of the country
• Realizing the country’s challenge with regard to regional and ethnic integration
• Identifying the challenges Turkey faces in its preparation to join EU
• Understand the role of multinational and global firms in the Turkish Economy
• Understanding the role of Turkey in Middle-East
• Understanding the significance of Turkey to Europe and to the United States

Text book:
Bal, Idris, Turkish Foreign Policy in Post Cold War Era, 1st edition, Brown Walker
Process, Florida, U.S.A, 2004

Recommended readings:
Kirisci, Kemal, “Turkey and European Union: The Domestic politics of Negotiating Pre-
Accession”, http://www.ces.boun.edu.tr

Kirisci, Kemal, “Between Europe and the Middle East: the Transformation of Turkish
Policy, Meria”, http://www.ces.boun.edu.tr

Kirisci, Kemal, “The Hague Programmed: Challenges of Turkish pre-accession in the

area of asylum, migration and border control” http://www.ces.boun.edu.tr

Facts about Turkey, Embassy of Turkey in Washington,

www.turkishembassy.org/index.php

Learning Objectives

Course Outline

June 02 An Overview of Turkish History, Culture Socio-Economic Condition

-The significance of the Ottoman Empire for the Turkish people
-The significance of the end of the Ottoman Empire

June 09 Turkish and Russian Relationship

-Idris Bal pp 253-268

June 16 Turkish Political Instability

Sources:
Idris Bal pp 347-362

-Emerging Markets: Turkish Political Drama, Merrill Lynch, 14

June, 2002

-Turkish Nationalism then and now, httpl//www.cyprus-

conflict.net/ergil.htm

Discussion: 1

Ford Otosan-Turkey

-Factors that led Ford Matters to move to Turkey

-Why is Ford Otosan-Turkey one of the few profitable Ford Companies
in the world?

June 23 Turkey’s Middle East Challenges: Towards a New

Beginning
 Sources:

Idris Bal pp 363-378

Discussion II

Koc Holding Company:

Describe the business model of Koc Holding

What is its significance to the Turkish Economy?
What are its weaknesses and strength?

June 30 Politics of the Euphrates and Tigris Waters

Sources:

Idris Bal pp 379-401

Discussion III

The History of Istanbul Stock Exchange:

-Explain how it was established
-How does it differ from the New York Stock Exchange?
-What are its challenges and how to overcome those challenges?

July 07 Opening the closed window to the East: Turkey’s relations with East
Asia

Sources:

Idris Bal pp 401-420

Discussion 1V

The Case of Hey Tekstil (Turkish Textile Firm)

-Explain the strength of the company

-What is the comparative advantage the company has over its
competitors?
-Explore its challenges in marketing its products globally

July 14 Post September 11 Impact: The Strategic Importance of Turkey Revisited

 Sources:
Idris Bal pp 421-455

Reading Material: Turkish Modernization and Challenges for the New

Europe-http://home.ku/edu.tr/~zonis/Modernization.pdf

Discussion V

Turkish Culture: Is it close to the West or to the East or does it have own
identity? Sample-based analysis

Course Evaluation:

Class activities: 30%

Project report and presentation: 30%
Final Examination: 40%