Art History
Greetings, I'm Professor Kadir PEKTAŞ, a faculty member in the Department of Art History at Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Letters, specializing in Turkish-Islamic Arts. Our department was established in 2011, and we commenced our undergraduate program in 2018, with the first graduates completing their studies in 2022. Currently, we have four undergraduate classes, and we have been offering master's education for approximately three years. In the future, we have plans to apply for doctoral education once we complete the necessary preparations.
Our undergraduate program provides our students with a wide range of opportunities. We are proud to be one of the leading departments at our university that conducts important and active studies on the visitation, exploration, and on-site learning of various historical sites and structures, particularly in Istanbul and different regions of Anatolia. Our curriculum extensively covers pre-Islamic Turkish art, as well as the artistic creations of the Turks who embraced Islam and flourished during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Additionally, we offer courses on Western art, contemporary art, and European art. What sets our department apart is the inclusion of excavation and medieval archaeology courses, which differentiate us from other art history departments. This wide spectrum of courses contributes to the comprehensive development of our students, encompassing diverse fields of study.
Our department also conducts archaeological excavations and surface surveys under the guidance of our faculty members. Notably, archaeological excavations take place in the ancient city of Beçin and Fethiye Castle, located in the Milas district of Muğla. Within the framework of our internship program, undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in these excavations, gaining valuable hands-on experience and knowledge in the field of medieval and post medieval Turkish archaeology. Through these activities, we prepare our students for future endeavors.
Furthermore, we organize surveys in locations such as the old Ottoman cemetery in Foça and the surrounding areas of Denizli, where our students witness firsthand the process of identifying, documenting, and interpreting historical buildings. Internships and graduation requirements often involve participation in these surveys, which can be credited towards their degree. In their final years of study, our students engage in internships, as well as complete a thesis or a graduation project. They select original topics in collaboration with our faculty members, conducting approximately 1.5 years of research before finalizing their work as a thesis, resulting in a publication-ready formation upon completion of their undergraduate education.
Although our department is relatively new, we have plans to establish international connections in the coming years, particularly through the ERASMUS program, which would provide opportunities for our students to study abroad, especially in European countries. Additionally, our faculty members regularly participate in international symposiums and colloquiums, where they present the results of their research. Notably, the excavation research and archaeometry symposium and the medieval excavations and art history research symposium are among the significant annual events in which our department actively participates. Our students also have the chance to take part in these programs. The involvement of our professors and lecturers in these activities enables them to showcase their work at both national and international levels.
Our department takes pride in graduating students as art historians who can pursue various career paths, particularly within the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. One notable institution is the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, where our students can actively work as museum researchers in archaeology museums and ethnography museums throughout Turkey. Additionally, our students can find employment and contribute to the Conservation Implementation and Inspection Offices (KUDEP), which are responsible for the protection and implementation of cultural heritage in metropolitan municipalities. They can also work in the General Directorate of Highways within the General Directorate of Foundations and explore opportunities in other fields.
Furthermore, our graduates have the chance to become art history teachers, especially in literature departments of high schools. We acknowledge that our students may encounter challenges in classes related to early Islamic art, early Islamic architecture, and Byzantine art. To support them in these areas, we provide visual and scientific assistance through e-publications, which have become increasingly accessible today. We share publication resources and shortcuts with our students, allowing them to follow and compensate for any deficiencies they may face. International publications available online offer an opportunity for further advancement.
Regarding student support, we assist those coming from outside Istanbul in finding suitable accommodation, including dormitories. Through bilateral relations and collaborative efforts, we strive to provide assistance in locating suitable housing options. However, this may require some personal effort from the students themselves. Our university actively participates in these initiatives and activities to ensure a supportive environment. Additionally, we organize events that introduce the historical areas and buildings of Istanbul to our students, especially those from outside the city. This allows them to develop a deeper appreciation for the department and aids their studies. Istanbul offers a significant advantage in this regard, and we aim to capitalize on this advantage in the education of our students.
For prospective candidates considering our department, we strongly advise them not to overlook foreign language education when starting their undergraduate studies. Art history departments, including ours, are esteemed professions worldwide, particularly in Europe. We always recommend that our students learn a foreign language to excel in this field, especially if they plan to pursue academic work in postgraduate education. We emphasize the importance of being open to the world and conducting evaluations related not only to Turkish art and recent periods but also encompassing European and global art.
We extend our best wishes to all candidates who will be taking the university entrance exam. As Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Art History, we wholeheartedly welcome you to our department and invite you to join us in this exciting journey.
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Our undergraduate program provides our students with a wide range of opportunities. We are proud to be one of the leading departments at our university that conducts important and active studies on the visitation, exploration, and on-site learning of various historical sites and structures, particularly in Istanbul and different regions of Anatolia. Our curriculum extensively covers pre-Islamic Turkish art, as well as the artistic creations of the Turks who embraced Islam and flourished during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Additionally, we offer courses on Western art, contemporary art, and European art. What sets our department apart is the inclusion of excavation and medieval archaeology courses, which differentiate us from other art history departments. This wide spectrum of courses contributes to the comprehensive development of our students, encompassing diverse fields of study.
Our department also conducts archaeological excavations and surface surveys under the guidance of our faculty members. Notably, archaeological excavations take place in the ancient city of Beçin and Fethiye Castle, located in the Milas district of Muğla. Within the framework of our internship program, undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in these excavations, gaining valuable hands-on experience and knowledge in the field of medieval and post medieval Turkish archaeology. Through these activities, we prepare our students for future endeavors.
Furthermore, we organize surveys in locations such as the old Ottoman cemetery in Foça and the surrounding areas of Denizli, where our students witness firsthand the process of identifying, documenting, and interpreting historical buildings. Internships and graduation requirements often involve participation in these surveys, which can be credited towards their degree. In their final years of study, our students engage in internships, as well as complete a thesis or a graduation project. They select original topics in collaboration with our faculty members, conducting approximately 1.5 years of research before finalizing their work as a thesis, resulting in a publication-ready formation upon completion of their undergraduate education.
Although our department is relatively new, we have plans to establish international connections in the coming years, particularly through the ERASMUS program, which would provide opportunities for our students to study abroad, especially in European countries. Additionally, our faculty members regularly participate in international symposiums and colloquiums, where they present the results of their research. Notably, the excavation research and archaeometry symposium and the medieval excavations and art history research symposium are among the significant annual events in which our department actively participates. Our students also have the chance to take part in these programs. The involvement of our professors and lecturers in these activities enables them to showcase their work at both national and international levels.
Our department takes pride in graduating students as art historians who can pursue various career paths, particularly within the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. One notable institution is the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, where our students can actively work as museum researchers in archaeology museums and ethnography museums throughout Turkey. Additionally, our students can find employment and contribute to the Conservation Implementation and Inspection Offices (KUDEP), which are responsible for the protection and implementation of cultural heritage in metropolitan municipalities. They can also work in the General Directorate of Highways within the General Directorate of Foundations and explore opportunities in other fields.
Furthermore, our graduates have the chance to become art history teachers, especially in literature departments of high schools. We acknowledge that our students may encounter challenges in classes related to early Islamic art, early Islamic architecture, and Byzantine art. To support them in these areas, we provide visual and scientific assistance through e-publications, which have become increasingly accessible today. We share publication resources and shortcuts with our students, allowing them to follow and compensate for any deficiencies they may face. International publications available online offer an opportunity for further advancement.
Regarding student support, we assist those coming from outside Istanbul in finding suitable accommodation, including dormitories. Through bilateral relations and collaborative efforts, we strive to provide assistance in locating suitable housing options. However, this may require some personal effort from the students themselves. Our university actively participates in these initiatives and activities to ensure a supportive environment. Additionally, we organize events that introduce the historical areas and buildings of Istanbul to our students, especially those from outside the city. This allows them to develop a deeper appreciation for the department and aids their studies. Istanbul offers a significant advantage in this regard, and we aim to capitalize on this advantage in the education of our students.
For prospective candidates considering our department, we strongly advise them not to overlook foreign language education when starting their undergraduate studies. Art history departments, including ours, are esteemed professions worldwide, particularly in Europe. We always recommend that our students learn a foreign language to excel in this field, especially if they plan to pursue academic work in postgraduate education. We emphasize the importance of being open to the world and conducting evaluations related not only to Turkish art and recent periods but also encompassing European and global art.
We extend our best wishes to all candidates who will be taking the university entrance exam. As Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Art History, we wholeheartedly welcome you to our department and invite you to join us in this exciting journey.