History of the department

The history of Philosophy and Sociology Department begins since the moment of university foundation. In 1936, Dialectical Materialism and Leninism Department which had changed its name for several times, separated from the general Department of Humanities. Only in 1990 the department got the contemporary name, Philosophy and Sociology Department.

The first Head of the department was J.I. Kaufman who established himself as a remarkable philosopher and organizer of scientific and pedagogical work. With his dignity and selfless work, he served as a good example for colleagues and students. He is warmly remembered today.

In 1966, PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor A.I. Korzh became the head of the department, he was working in higher education system for many years. Under his direction, the main focus was on studying and creative understanding of primary sources by students. The scientist was one of the first in the department to introduce a problem-based teaching method into the educational process. A.I. Korzh continued the traditions of J.L. Kaufman regarding the activities of the creative union of social scientists and teachers of technical disciplines, due to which methodology and methods of teaching were improved. The scientist spent a lot of time working with young teachers and graduate students, often attended their classes, supported talented young people in their desire to raise professional skills.

In 1972, a graduate of Kharkiv State University, an employee of Philosophy Department of that university, PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor A.A. Ivanishchenko was appointed the head of the department, he continued to strengthen the union of the humanitarians and representatives of other fields of knowledge.

In 1975-1986 the department was headed by PhD in History, Associate Professor V.V. Kolotiev who had already had solid experience in teaching and leadership. His main task was solving staff problems, for scientific and pedagogical growth of young teachers he created most favourable conditions. The second main problem for the head of the department was further improvement of forms and methods of teaching. Testing, interviews, visual aids and seminars using elements of competition, became more frequent. Preparation of methodical instructions on the topics of training courses was intensified. The department began to use visual aids and audio tools.

During 1987-1991 the department was headed by Doctor of Philosophy O.O. Mamaluy. This period is characterized as a turning point in the history of Ukrainian society, in particular in the system of higher education. In order to improve quality of teaching at a new stage of history, the work of theoretical and methodological seminars of the department was intensified.

In the early 90’s the position of head of Philosophy and Sociology Department was held by PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor G.F. Peretyatkin. He continued to “transfer to new rails” not only philosophy teaching but also other humanities, new methodological guidelines for the study of courses were prepared and published. But soon the scientist returned to his homeland, to Rostov-on-Don. Until 1995, head of the department duties were acted by PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor V.I Trykoza.

During 1996-2010, the department was headed by a scientist and educator, PhD in Philosophy, Associate Professor I.D. Zahriichuk. He has been working in UkrSURT since 1982. He defended his PhD thesis in Philosophy in 1988. He had a difficult and painstaking work on the final transfer of the department to a new system of education and upbringing, which involves increasing the role of teacher in teaching modern knowledge in the humanities, educating students in creativity and instilling skills of independent work. In 2006 I.D. Zahriichuk published a monograph “On the Border of National Cultures”, and in 2010 he defended his doctoral dissertation on “Cosmopolitanism and Marginality in National Culture”. He repeatedly opposed the defense of doctoral and master`s dissertations.

During 2010-2020, the department was headed by Doctor of Philosophy, Professor V.M. Petrushov. In recent years, the educational process of the department has included new disciplines, among them: “Philosophy of Science”, “Psychology of Business Communication”, “Philosophical Problems of Modernity” etc.

Currently, the department is headed by Acting Head of Department, Associate Professor І.V. Tolstov.