Common Courses Coordination Office
By integrating different disciplines,
we educate generations that can provide innovative solutions to the problems of the future today.
By integrating different disciplines, we educate generations that can provide innovative solutions to the problems of the future today.
Through the IŞIK Academic Education Model, in the first year of university, we offer all our students, regardless of department or faculty:
- An interdisciplinary approach,
- Knowledge transfer about fields outside their own discipline
- The ability to think multidimensionally to solve complex problems,
- Creative thinking skills,
- The capacity for agility, adaptability, and resilience as outlined in our strategic plan,
- Guidance in discovering their true talents,
- Education that conveys universal academic knowledge.
University Core Courses and Course Descriptions
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Name / Course Code | Credits | ECTS |
| Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarihi I*CORE 0101History of Turkish Republic I is a two-semester course that aims to shed light on the political, economic, social and cultural processes playing part in the formation of today’s Turkey. The first semester of the course deals with the general characteristics of the state and social structure in the Ottoman Empire first and then focuses on the period from the beginnings of the modernization process to the end of First World War. We will study the Ottoman reform and centralization movements as well as their legacy for the Republic of Turkey | 2 | 2 |
| Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Tarihi II*CORE 0102The second term of the course will begin with a discussion on the National Struggle and the transition from the Ottoman Empire to Republic of Turkiye. It will then deal with the institutionalization of the Republic and basic dynamics of the multi-party system. We will study the development of democracy, on the one hand, and the economic crises, political instabilities, and military interventions that disrupted the democratization process, on the other. Among the topics we will address in this semester are the phenomena of migration and urbanization, social movements and cultural change in the history of the Republic. | 2 | 2 |
| Türkçe I*CORE 0103In the first term of the course, which is planned as a two-term course, it is aimed to examine the reflection of modernization movements on our literature from the Ottoman period to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey through selected thought texts and fictional texts. | 2 | 2 |
| Türkçe II*CORE 0104In the second term of the Turkish course, it is aimed to examine the reflection of modernization movements on our literature from the last days of the Ottoman Empire and the years of occupation of our country, through the National Struggle years, the victory of our War of Independence, and from the establishment of the Republic of Turkey to the present day, through selected thought texts and fictional texts | 2 | 2 |
| History of Turkey I**CORE 1001The course, which consists of two terms, aims to introduce international students to the economic, social, and political history of Turkey and to convey the historical political, economic, social, and political processes that played a role in the formation of today's Turkey. This aims to assist them in the faculty courses of their chosen field of specialization. In the first term of the course, the general characteristics of the state and society structure in the Ottoman Empire are discussed, followed by a comprehensive examination of the period from the beginning of the modernization process to the end of World War I. In this context, the focus is especially on the Ottoman reform and centralization movements and the legacy they passed on to the Republic of Turkey | 2 | 2 |
| History of Turkey II**CORE 1002In the second term of the course, the National Struggle and the transition process from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey are primarily discussed. Then, the institutionalization of the Republic and the fundamental dynamics of the multi-party system are examined. On one hand, the development of democracy and, on the other hand, the economic turmoil, political instability, and military interventions that disrupt the democratization process are analyzed. Migration and urbanization phenomena, social movements, and cultural changes that have emerged in the history of the Republic are among the important topics discussed during this period. | 2 | 2 |
| Elementary Turkish for Foreigners I**CORE 1003The purpose of the two-term course is to teach international students basic level Turkish that they will need in daily life. | 2 | 2 |
| Elementary Turkish for Foreigners II**CORE 1004The purpose of the two-term course is to teach international students basic level Turkish that they will need in daily life. | 2 | 2 |
| Career PlanningCORE/ORDE 0116The main purpose of this course is to create career awareness, to enable students to have information about different sectors, to recognize the tools they can use for their own development, and to direct students to areas where they will be productive. | 1 | 1 |
| Introduction to AI and Data AnalyticsCORE/ORDE 0203The objective of this course is to provide a practical understanding of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Students will learn how data is collected, prepared, summarized, visualized, and interpreted, and how AI systems use data to generate predictions, recommendations, and other outputs. The course also aims to develop the ability to use modern AI and analytics tools responsibly, evaluate results critically, and recognize issues related to data quality, bias, privacy, reliability, and ethics. | 3 | 5 |
| Foundations of Innovation and EntrepreneurshipCORE/ORDE 0403The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation, and value creation in contemporary societies, examining entrepreneurship as both a venture creation process and a mindset for identifying opportunities, solving problems, and generating economic and social value. | 3 | 5 |
| *CORE 0101, CORE 0102, CORE 0103 and CORE 0104 are taught in Turkish. | ||
| **The language of instruction in the CORE1001, CORE1002, CORE1003, and CORE1004 courses is English, and only international students studying in programs where the language of instruction is English can enroll in these courses | ||
| The language of instruction in courses with the CORE code is English, while the language of instruction in courses with the ORDE code is Turkish. Students enrolled in programs with English as the language of instruction enroll in the CORE coded common courses, while students enrolled in programs with Turkish as the language of instruction enroll in the ORDE coded courses | ||
| SCIENCE ELECTIVES | ||
| Course Name / Course Code | Credits | ECTS |
| Nature, Science, Human ICORE/ORDE 0201“Nature, Science, Human I” aims to provide students with the curiosity and desire to learn scientific thinking, and introduce some of the basic concepts of physical, chemical, and biological sciences. The course promotes students’ awareness of science and support them in achievement of higher levels of scientific literacy. It promotes critical thinking and problem solving skills. | 3 | 5 |
| Nature, Science, Human IICORE/ORDE 0202“Nature, Science, Human II” aims to encourage and enable students to develop inquiring minds and curiosity about science and the natural world. The course introduces the basic laws of nature and promotes students’ awareness of how science and technology affect our lives. It develops students’ scientific literacy and motivates them to value scientific knowledge and skills. | 3 | 5 |
| Numbers, Formulas, HumanCORE/ORDE 0301The aim of the course is to make the students know the history of mathematics, to present the different types of infinities, to teach the basic techniques of cryptography, to discuss the principal elements of counting and logic, to give the ability to calculate expected value and conditional probability, and to transfer the fundamentals of random variables and the concept of random walk. | 3 | 5 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES AND ART ELECTIVES | ||
| Course Name / Course Code | Credits | ECTS |
| Addiction and Combating AddictionCORE/ORDE 0110The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge about the definition of addiction, types and effects of addiction, approaches to individuals with addiction, and recovery processes, as well as to explain intervention methods aimed at raising awareness. | 3 | 5 |
| Major WorksCORE/ORDE 0118This is the foundation course in the academic study of major works in areas including literature, cinema, art, architecture, engineering, mathematics, philosophy, politics, economics, and the like. The course aims to help students get acquainted with the major works presented in this course throughout the semester and be able to develop their own opinions, perspectives and tastes with these major works in different areas. Students are expected to be equipped with academic tools for developing independent, analytical and critical thinking in these different areas and about their major works at the end of the semester. | 3 | 5 |
| AI, Creative Future and HumanCORE/ORDE 0404The objective of this course is to examine human creativity through an interdisciplinary lens, focusing on its historical, cultural, technological, and ethical dimensions, and to equip students with the ability to critically and dialectically assess the transformation of human–machine interactions. | 3 | 5 |
| Emotional IntelligenceCORE/ORDE 0405The objective of this course is to provide students with a theoretical understanding and an experiential toolkit for developing emotional intelligence and mindfulness practices, and to build the self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and leadership capacities required to navigate complex interpersonal and organizational dynamics. | 3 | 5 |
| Society, Science and HumanCORE/ORDE 0411The main objective of this course is to encourage and enable students to develop a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and critical understanding about the relationship between human beings and the society. In four modules, namely “Society”, “Power”, “Resources”, and the “Individual”, the course aims to introduce students to some of the major concepts, approaches, and issues regarding the individuals and their social world. | 3 | 5 |
| Ethics, Law ve SocietyCORE/ORDE 0412This course aims to develop a basic understanding on the organization of people’s behaviours in society from the perspectives of ethics, law and social norms. It considers the roles and responsibilities of the individual, the citizen and the community member to discuss how our common lives are formed and governed. | 3 | 5 |
| Art, Society, HumanCORE/ORDE 0511The goal of this course is to introduce the student to an understanding of the discipline of art history, changing conceptions of the artist, and the work of art through the study of art objects from various historical periods. This course aims to discuss these objects and practices of visual cultures through a wide variety of media, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, prints, photography, installations, performance, advertisements and the moving image. It aims to provide students with comprehensive, interdisciplinary and creative understanding of how artistic works relate to social and cultural practices and historical circumstances that define them. | 3 | 5 |
| PROJECT ELECTIVES | ||
| Course Name / Course Code | Credits | ECTS |
| Creative Thinking and Problem SolvingCORE/ORDE 0117The aim of the course is to provide students with skills and competencies to solve complex problems through creative thinking. At the end of the course, students will be able to recognize and develop their creative skills, have knowledge and experience in solving complex problems and creative thinking methods, will have the ability to work in a team and develop interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. | 3 | 5 |
| Social Responsibility ProjectsCORE/ORDE 0109The objective of this course is to develop students' awareness, knowledge, and skills related to social responsibility, ethical engagement, and community service, and to support them in developing interdisciplinary, solution-oriented projects addressing current societal issues. | 3 | 5 |
| Sustainability: Humanity, Ecology and Circular EconomyCORE/ORDE 0111The objective of this course is to enable students to develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the human, ecological, and economic dimensions of sustainability within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The course examines the transformation of human–nature relations, debates on environmental ethics and justice, the structural causes of ecological crises, and circular economy approaches from an interdisciplinary perspective. | 3 | 5 |
| Soft Skills for Communication and LeadershipCORE/ORDE 0112The objective of this course is to develop students' personal and professional competencies—commonly known as soft skills—by fostering self-awareness, effective communication, collaboration, adaptability, emotional intelligence, ethical responsibility, and leadership, with the ultimate goal of empowering students to become confident, responsible, and effective contributors in both professional and social environments. | 3 | 5 |