About Us

Foundation and Academic Staff 

Established in 2006 within the Faculty of Science and Letters at Hitit University, the Department of History admitted its first students in the 2009–2010 academic year. Our department awarded its first degrees in the 2012–2013 academic year. As of 2 May 2024, our department, having been awarded a two-year FEDEK accreditation certificate following its efforts to document its educational standards, has been granted the right to use the Turkish Qualifications Framework (TYÇ) logo on its diplomas with effect from January 2025. Pursuant to the Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette No. 32943 dated 1 July 2025, as part of the higher education restructuring, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences was closed; the Department of History was separated from this closed faculty and affiliated with the newly established Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Department comprises 2 Professors, 1 Associate Professor, 8 Assistant Professor, 2 Research Assistants with a PhD and 1 Research Assistant. The language of instruction in the Department is Turkish. The Department’s main fields of study are Ancient History, Medieval History, Early-Modern History, Late-Modern History, General Turkish History and the History of the Republic of Turkey. The list below details the department’s academic staff and their areas of specialisation.

Objectivities of the Department

The objectives of the Department of History are to teach modern methods of historical writing used worldwide, to develop students’ skills in using historical sources, and to present comprehensive approaches to historical issues, geographical areas and periods. Furthermore, our department aims to sign cooperation agreements with other history departments at both national and international levels.

Features of the Curriculum Programme

According to the curriculum of the Department of History at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hitit University, 146 national credits/240 ECTS are required to graduate from the programme. Of the 146 national credits required for graduation, 88 are compulsory and 58 are elective. Accordingly, students take 60 per cent compulsory and 40 per cent elective modules. Following the first semester, students select elective modules each term, choosing from a wide range of options in line with their areas of interest. The History Department’s curriculum was previously revised in 2017 and 2022, taking on its current form. Whilst prior to 2017, a total of 162 national credits were required for graduation, this figure was gradually reduced to 144, thereby bringing the programme more into line with the framework established by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) for higher education institutions in Turkey. Similarly, various courses that were previously compulsory have been made optional, with the aim of bringing the curriculum of the Department of History at Hitit University more into line with those of other universities. One of the key aspects of the curriculum changes made in 2017 was the increase in the number of optional courses within the programme and the number of optional course credits required for graduation. Whilst the proportion of elective credits required for graduation was approximately 25 per cent prior to 2017, this figure was raised to approximately 40 per cent following the programme update. In the curriculum review carried out in 2022, however, no changes as significant as those in the previous revision were made. The aim was to improve the quality of the curriculum by addressing various shortcomings observed in the curriculum that had been in place for approximately five years. In line with this, new elective courses were added to the programme. Whilst elective courses in the previous programme consisted of two and three credits, it was observed that students were selecting courses incorrectly; consequently, it was decided that all elective courses should be selected from a pool consisting solely of three-credit courses. This change was intended to prevent students from selecting insufficient credits upon reaching the graduation stage and to address any potential grievances. With the increase in elective courses to three credits, the total number of national credits required for graduation rose by two credits from 144 to 146, and the curriculum of the Department of History at Hitit University took on its current form. The aim is to ensure that a contemporary education is maintained within the History Department at Hitit University. In line with this, developments in higher education in Turkey and worldwide are closely monitored. As has been the case previously, should the need arise in future years, new compulsory or elective courses will be added to the curriculum, and efforts will continue to enable students to develop their skills and acquire the competencies they may require in their professional lives.

Teaching Methods

Courses are largely delivered face-to-face. However, during the pandemic, various courses were delivered remotely, and some courses continue to be delivered in this way in the post-pandemic period. In addition, conferences, panels and symposia are organised where it is considered they will benefit students, and students are encouraged to participate in such events.

Assessment Methods

Most courses in the department are assessed through written examinations. However, course coordinators may also carry out other forms of assessment, such as assignments or projects. Students are required to attend lectures. If a student is absent from more than 30 per cent of a course, they will fail. In other words, students must attend at least 70 per cent of the lectures. The weighting of written examinations towards the final mark is 40 per cent for the mid-term exam and 60 per cent for the final exam.

Department of History Students

As is the case at other universities in Turkey, students are selected through the centralised examination and placement system administered by the ÖSYM. The table below shows the number of students in the department.