Department of History
The one who forgets the past stuns the way in the future.
To reveal the political and social existence of history-making societies, to investigate the changes they have undergone according to scientific principles, to transfer the results, obtained to the day and tomorrow, to reach the related persons and institutions to benefit the required scientific knowledge in daily life, to train individuals with critical thinkings are among the aims of the department.
Through the lessons in the department curriculum, it is aimed to build the experience that can be done in the resource criterion as well as the method information to be watched when doing research in any subject. The information given in the lessons is centered on "Turkish History" and this knowledge is completed by comparing it with the political and cultural formations of other nations and thus trying to reach objective knowledge from the perspective of "Comparative History". "Contemplation on history plays a role in the formation of the critique mind and helps to identify the person", "The task of the historian is not to love the past or save him/herself from the past, but to study and understand it as the key of understanding today". "I do not know if there is a nation on earth that is as rich as ours in terms of history. But I know that with mathematical correctness that, there is no other nation which has forgotten its past as much as we have’’. Understanding and narrating the importance of historical sense, which has become open with its aphorisms; raising individuals, interpreting and evaluating at a universal level are too among the aims. Aksaray University Department of History adopts an approach that is loyal to its country and nation, but also open to the world and innovations.
Aksaray University History Department was established in 2008. Our department started accepting students with the 2009-2010 academic year. The teaching activities in the department are carried out by 13 faculty members, 1 lecturers, and 4 research assistants. In addition to the undergraduate program, the Department of History also offers graduate and doctoral programs.
Our department contributes to the learning processes of our students through academic and social activities organized regularly every year. Genç Kalemler Dergisi (The Journal of Young Pens) published every six months and the Genç Tarihçiler Öğrenci Sempozyumu (Young Historians Student Symposium) held every year are among our academic activities. Cultural trips and various social aid campaigns are organized through the Genç Tarihçiler Öğrenci Topluluğu (Young Historians Student Community).
As of the 2023-2024 Academic Year, a total of 377 students are continuing their education at the undergraduate level. 12 of them are foreign students. 840 students have graduated from the undergraduate program as of the 2023-2024 year. In addition, 71 students are continuing their master's degree in the Department of History. To date, 70 students have defended their theses and graduated from the Master's Program. Our department has started to accept PhD students as of the 2019-2020 Academic Year. One student graduated from the doctoral program so far. Currently, 4 PhD students are actively continuing their education.
