FACULTY OF LITERATURE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

HISTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION

The Department of Sociology was established in 2008 and became active in the 2012-2013 academic year. The main fields of study in the department are General Sociology and Methodology, Institutional Sociology, Applied Sociology, and Social Structure and Change. As of 2024, the department has academic staff consisting of two professors, two associate professors, four assistant professors, one lecturer with a Ph.D., and four research assistants, totaling thirteen members. In 2016, a Master's program was initiated, followed by the establishment of a Doctorate program in 2023, thus expanding educational and academic activities to the postgraduate level.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is a fundamental discipline that systematically examines the social lives of individuals, groups, and societies in all aspects, both theoretically and practically. It studies human activities ranging from relationships among individuals to politics, technology, economy, urban life, culture, media, and religion on a broad spectrum. Within this scope, social life encompasses all purposeful actions exhibited by individuals and their relationships with other individuals and groups. The central focus of sociological endeavor lies in understanding and explaining the forms adopted by these actions and relationships from the past to the present, the changes and transformations they undergo, as well as interpreting and critiquing the consequences they generate for individuals, social categories, groups, and societies in general. Sociology engages with all macro and micro-level social issues within this endeavor. The Department of Sociology at Karadeniz Technical University aims to contribute to this endeavor through qualified educational, teaching, and research activities.

DEGREE AWARDED

Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and the title of sociologist.

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Type of Education: Full-time / Daytime

ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1- High school diploma or equivalent,

2- Attaining a sufficient score in the central examination conducted by ÖSYM (Student Selection and Placement Center) in the relevant field. International students who have graduated from schools equivalent to Turkish high schools and meet the application requirements can also apply for the Sociology undergraduate program. International students will be admitted within the framework of conditions determined by KTU with the permission of YÖK (Council of Higher Education) and according to the allocated quota.

EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK AND OPPORTUNITIES AT THE DEPARTMENT

The normal duration of the Sociology undergraduate education is four years. The primary objective of the program is to educate competent and well-equipped sociologists at the national and international levels. To achieve this goal, the Sociology Department offers courses covering all branches of sociology to students during the four-year undergraduate education period.

In addition to undergraduate education, the department also opens its doors to students who wish to conduct more comprehensive sociological research through the master's program. Graduate education in the Sociology Department has been conducted within the scope of the Master's program (Science Proficiency) at the Department of Sociology, Graduate School of Social Sciences since the 2016-2017 academic year.

Furthermore, in order to enable Sociology department students to work as "Philosophy Teachers" within the Ministry of National Education after graduation, the required courses of 16 credits in Philosophy, 16 credits in Psychology, and 8 credits in Logic, which are conditioned by the Ministry of National Education, are included in the department's curriculum.

Moreover, the department plans to enhance the students' qualifications and make them more competitive in the profession by offering the opportunity for minor and double major in social departments such as economics, public administration, international relations, and history, which are closely related to sociology. Through the Erasmus, Farabi, and Mevlana student exchange programs, students also have the opportunity to take courses for one or two semesters at a domestic or international university.

There is a large library available for the use of sociology department students within the university. Additionally, they can access numerous domestic and international journals online through the library database. All department classrooms are equipped with technical devices such as projection systems and computers and have internet connectivity. In terms of Social Activities, there is a Sociology Club established by department students under the guidance of an advisor faculty member. The club organizes various social activities such as orientation meetings, city tours, etc., at various times. Lastly, the location of the department on the campus, with a ten-minute walking distance between the airport, offers a unique advantage to students who prefer the KTU department of sociology from other cities, an advantage that no other university in Türkiye possesses.

REQUIREMENTS AND RULES FOR THE DEGREE

Students are required to successfully complete all courses (equivalent to a total of 240 ECTS credits) in the program by obtaining the defined passing grades and achieve a weighted GPA of at least 2.0 out of 4.00.

EXAMS, TESTING, AND EVALUATION

Students are subject to midterm assessments / semester study (such as seminars, quizzes, assignments, or a second midterm) and final exams for each course. The contribution of the midterm assessment is 50%, and the contribution of the final exam is 50% towards the final grade. All exams are evaluated out of 100 points. It is mandatory to obtain a minimum of 45 points in the final exam. Students who receive one of the letter grades (AA), (BA), (BB), (CB), or (CC) in a course are considered to have passed that course. Students can take makeup exams for the courses of each semester at the end of that semester. Every student must register for courses at the beginning of each semester and attend at least 70% of the classes and 80% of the seminars. Midterm and final exams are held on pre-announced dates. For grading criteria and more information, please visit the relevant page: http://ogrweb.ktu.edu.tr/ogrweb

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES

Graduates of the Sociology Department can find employment in a wide range of positions in both the public and private sectors. They can work as sociologists, research specialists, assistant specialists, or officers in various government institutions such as the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, Ministry of Justice, State Planning Organization, Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation), TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute), municipalities, and universities. Additionally, they can work as teachers according to the conditions specified by the Ministry of National Education. Furthermore, they can work in various private institutions and organizations related to fields such as banks, advertising and marketing companies, holdings, non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and corporate public relations and human resources departments, depending on their scientific knowledge and skills.

TRANSITION TO HIGHER DEGREE PROGRAMS

Candidates who successfully complete their undergraduate education can enroll in graduate programs (master's and doctoral) by achieving success in a written or oral interview exam (applicable for doctoral programs) based on their ALES exam score, undergraduate GPA, and the conditions of the relevant program.

The department chairpersons since the commencement of our department's education are as follows: