Interfaculty Department: “Social Sciences”

The Department of Social Sciences traces its history back to 1931, having been established almost simultaneously with the Samarkand Institute of Economics and Service. The department’s activities are closely connected with the stages of formation, development, and transformation of the institute. Throughout its entire history, the department has held an important place in the scientific, spiritual, and ideological life of the institute.

The faculty members of the Department of Social Sciences regularly participate in various spiritual, educational, and promotional events held in the districts and neighborhoods of the Samarkand region. These activities are aimed at increasing social engagement among the population, as well as widely promoting national values and spiritual heritage.

Special attention is paid to the professional development and retraining of the department’s teaching staff. Today, all employees regularly attend professional development courses, strengthening their professional competence.

The department actively cooperates with a number of foreign higher education institutions in scientific, educational, and methodological fields. Within the framework of these partnerships, experience exchange, joint open classes, and the implementation of advanced pedagogical practices are carried out.

In addition, the department maintains close ties with the academic lyceum and partner vocational schools and colleges affiliated with the institute. Methodological manuals prepared by the department’s members are published and effectively used in the educational process.

At present, the department employs 13 full-time teachers, including:

– 1 Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor,

– 1 Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor,

– 1 Candidate of Legal Sciences,

– 2 PhD in Philosophy (Associate Professors),

– 3 PhD in Philosophical Sciences,

– 2 Senior Lecturers,

– 3 Lecturers.

The department’s faculty members have published more than 10 educational and methodological manuals, about 10 monographs, and over 800 scientific articles and theses.

The Department of Social Sciences began its activities in 1931 under the name “Dialectical and Historical Materialism.” Initially, it was established as a center for teaching philosophy and ideological disciplines within the institute. Over the years, the department’s name, structure, and scope of activities have changed multiple times in accordance with political, ideological, and educational transformations in society. Throughout its history, the department has merged and separated from other departments, operating under various names such as:  “Philosophy and Scientific Communism,” “Marxism-Leninism,” “History of the CPSU,” “Social and Humanitarian Sciences,” and “History of Uzbekistan.” These changes were related to institutional restructuring, interdisciplinary integration, and the expansion of humanitarian directions. The department was headed by:  — Professor N. M. Miroshkhanov (from 1931),  — Professor V. K. Karakalov (from 1933),  — Associate Professor A. Valiev (from 1935),  — Associate Professor V. I. Shakhmatkin (from 1936). During that period, the department employed Associate Professors A. Musaqov, M. A. Minayeva, I. M. Klyuchko, Assistant K. I. Langin (later Doctor of Economics, Academician and Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan), N. V. Kosenko, I. I. Bagamonov, A. Umarov, and others. 
In 1939, the “Marxism-Leninism” department was established, where Professor I. I. Shturn, Associate Professor Kh. A. Yerzin, N. I. Agalseva, S. Ye. Podolsky, and I. F. Yegorov worked. From 1939 to 1950, the department was headed by Associate Professors V. I. Shakhmainin, M. A. Abulqasimov, and R. Kh. Pulatov (1952–1961). In 1964, two departments were formed on the basis of the “Marxism-Leninism” department:  – “Philosophy and Scientific Communism” (Head – Associate Professor R. K. Karimov),  – “History of the CPSU” (Head – Associate Professor T. S. Abdusattorov). At that time, the “Philosophy and Scientific Communism” department included scholars such as B. D. Davronov, Sh. Sharopov, A. N. Vafoev, U. Kh. Khakimova, N. Z. Zayniyev, K. Z. Zukhurov, S. Kh. Suyunov, N. A. Muminov, O. M. Atayeva, O. S. Usov, A. A. Suvonqulov, B. D. Bayer, Ye. G. Naumova, M. I. Ibragimov, S. I. Muminova, G. T. Jumayeva, O. Z. Yevstigniyeva, and S. Sattorova. The “History of the CPSU” department included M. S. Avliyaqulov, P. S. Saidov, N. I. Agalseva, U. A. Aliyev, O. Tukhtamishev, T. J. Jumayev, M. A. Pak, S. Rakhimova, and S. Tukhtayev. In 1982, based on the merged departments, the “Social and Humanitarian Sciences” department was established, headed successively by B. S. Tukhliev, Professor K. A. Amonov, and Associate Professor A. M. Atayeva. During the 1989–1990 academic year, the “History of the CPSU” department was renamed “History of Uzbekistan.” In the 1991–1992 academic year, the “Philosophy” and “History of Uzbekistan” departments were merged under Professor M. S. Avliyaqulov. The years 1992–1997 marked a new stage for the “Philosophy and History of Uzbekistan” department. Great emphasis was placed on improving educational, methodological, and research activities. Faculty members — S. Kh. Suyunov, O. Tukhtamishev, O. M. Atayeva, N. A. Muminov, K. D. Khaydarov, S. N. Nazarov, and others — actively updated curricula, authored textbooks, and published research papers. Under the department’s initiative, a number of methodological and research works were published, and faculty members participated in conferences, including those dedicated to the 660th anniversary of Amir Temur. In 1994–1995, the department had 15 faculty members, including 1 Professor, 8 Associate Professors, 1 Senior Lecturer, and 5 Lecturers. During this period, the department’s activities supported the implementation of the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education’s decree of August 31, 1992, “On Improving the Teaching of Social Sciences.” Between 1995 and 1996, faculty participated in over 35 scientific conferences, improved class quality, and enhanced methodological collaboration Starting in 1996–1997, a new subject — “Foundations of Spirituality and Enlightenment” — was introduced, increasing the number of disciplines taught to ten. Between 2000 and 2009, the department intensified its academic and research activities, publishing 25 educational and methodological manuals and over 350 research papers During this time, faculty also held more than 950 lectures and discussions on the President’s works, parliamentary decisions, and national policies. From November 2010 to September 2012, the “Philosophy and History of Uzbekistan” department was headed by Associate Professor M. Buriyev, characterized by modernization of curricula and teaching practices across 12 disciplines. From March 2012 to March 2018, the department was led by Doctor of Philosophy, Professor S. K. Karimov. In April 2015, it was renamed “Social Sciences.” Under his leadership, 2 monographs, 1 brochure, 3 research collections, 11 educational manuals, and 7 methodological guides were published. Faculty produced 38 scientific papers, 30 publicistic articles, and 28 journal publications. Since March 2018, the department has been headed by Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor A. A. Azizqulov (Akram Abdirakhmonovich Azizqulov). Under his leadership, five young researchers earned PhD degrees and three received the title of Associate Professor. These achievements have solidified the “Social Sciences” department as a recognized academic and theoretical center.

Throughout different years, prominent scholars, statesmen, activists, and honored specialists have worked at the department, including: Professor I. I. Shturn, Associate Professor Kh. A. Yerzin, N. I. Agalseva, S. Ye. Podolskiy, I. F. Yegorov, R. K. Karimov, S. Kh. Suyunov, N. A. Muminov, O. M. Atayeva, O. S. Usov, A. A. Suvonqulov, Associate Professor B. D. Bayer, U. Tokhtamishev, K. D. Khaydarov, S. N. Nazarov, B. Tokhliyev, Kh. Khusanov, A. A. Matlyubov, Sh. S. Kushakov, S. K. Karimov.