An Analysis of Basic Design Education In Turkey and Implıcations For Changes In Postsecondary Art Curriculum

Oztuna, Haci Yakup, An analysis of basic design education in Turkey and

implications for changes in postsecondarv art curriculum. Doctor of Philosophy (Art),

August, 1998, 179 pp., 12 tables, 8 illustrations, references, 78 titles.

This study explored the current status of Turkish basic art education and the

objectives of the first year art program at the university level in Turkey. Also, the

researcher attempted to explore the objectives and expectations of Turkish art professors

and to examine the applicability of certain concepts of American basic design education in

the teaching of studio foundation courses in Turkish art schools. The study included the

literature review concerning changes in educational philosophy related to the history of

design education in the West and in Turkey.

The sample in this study comprised 24 faculties from the population of 4-year

institutions in Turkey and was limited to studio faculty at five universities. In this study,

multiple methods of data collection (open-ended interviews and a survey) and analysis and

a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. To determine

statistical significance and to explore relationships between item scores of each university

and all five universities, Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient was used in the

analysis of the survey responses. Responses to open-ended interview questions relating to

the eight research questions were analyzed using an ad hoc approach.

The research findings indicated that students should take a proficiency examination

to enroll in art school. The findings showed that the origin of basic art education reflected

the practical and theoretical concepts of the Bauhaus in Germany and Chicago and that the

first year curriculum in Turkish art schools was suitable for the ideas of the foundation

system in American art schools because of the educational atmosphere in Turkey.

The main concern was how the foundation system in American art schools would be applied in the

Turkish educational system. The findings revealed difficulty in applying the system within 4 years and

a need for a 5th year of education. The recommendations for implications of the concepts of

American basic design education were based on the findings.