Sociology is one of the social science disciplines that are indispensable for the production, reproduction and transformation of social, political and cultural structures and practices of modern society.

Rapid social transformations in the contemporary world and increasing inequalities at local, national and global levels need to be studied and understood with sociological theoretical and methodological perspectives. This is not only emphasized by sociologists and other social scientists but also by professional disciplines such as medicine, engineering, and law and so on.

Department of sociology within the framework of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Maltepe University has developed an undergraduate program with the following emphases: A student-centered approach striving to prepare them for living and working in a rapidly changing community, economic organizations, political life, media and communications. In addition to work life after graduation from undergraduate level, students are also prepared to carry out graduate study in sociology or any other related field. Graduate programs “with courses plus thesis” and “with courses only” have already started within the framework of Graduate School of Social Sciences. For these entire preparations undergraduate program entails a widening framework of analysis from self to gender, household/family, to community, to society, local, global and glocal institutions, reaching to globally integrated networks, global flows of ideas, knowledge, images, information, and technology and so on. Such a widening horizon goes together with a core sociology program complemented with an interdisciplinary approach based on an assessment of students’ capacities, interests and needs. The students are encouraged to freely choose courses on the basis of self-assessment of their needs, capacities and interests as well as supervisors’ assessment complementing their own.

In the department of sociology “theory”, “research” and “application/implementation” are not treated as separate orientations and activities, rather it is emphasized that these are inseparable aspects of sociological investigation and work. Sometimes, the path followed is from theory to implementation; some other times research requires construction of novel theories.

For all these reasons, the curriculum of the sociology undergraduate program has been designed in such a way that from the first year to the fourth year basic theoretical and methodological skills and tools are being taught in such a way that they can engage in critical appraisal of current events and problems, participate in research activities and also some social service giving activities to the environing community. The emphasis of specialized knowledge and skills is not only on giving the basic and classical approaches and skills, but also on learning new approaches and skills after graduation. We are aware that this capacity and ability to acquire new approaches and skills after graduation is required in a fast changing information and knowledge society.