DEPARTMENT OF KAZAKH LITERATURE AND THEORY OF LITERATURE

The Department of Kazakh Literature and Theory of Literature of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University has been generated in June, 2011 on the basis of Department of Kazakh literature and Department of Theory of Literature and Folklore.

The Department has been based with objective of the organization of research work, educational process at Kazakh National University on specialities «6В01701 – Kazakh Language and Literature», «6В02305 – Kazakh Philology», «6В02306 – Literary Studies»,  «7М02313 – Kazakh Philology», «7М02309 – Literary Studies», «8D02307 – Kazakh Philology» «8D02304 – Literary Studies», within the limits of specializations: «Kazakh Literature», Theory of Literature», «Folklore». At its formation the general methodological bases of history of Kazakh literature, literary studies, theory of literature and folklore by way of system-complex studying typological, structural principles of fiction both oral national work and integration progress of scientific disciplines have been considered.

Кафедра оқу және тәлімдік үдеріс, ғылыми-зерттеу жұмыстарын ұйымдастыру мақсатымен құрылып, «6В01701 – Қазақ тілі мен әдебиеті», « – Қазақ филологиясы», «6В02306 – Әдебиеттану», « – Қазақ филологиясы», « – Әдебиеттану», «7М01701 – Қазақ тілі мен әдебиеті», « – Қазақ филологиясы», «8D02304 – Әдебиеттану»

The Department of Kazakh literature was founded in 1940. In its organization and formation a great role was played by the classic of Kazakh literature, academician, writer M. Auezov.

The first head of the Department was Higher Doctor of Philological Science, Full Professor B.K. Kenzhebaev Prominent figures of culture, scientists: academician A. Margulan, professor T.Nurtazin, corresponding member of NAS RK, professor E. Ismayilov, professor M. Gabdullin made a significant contribution to the formation of the general course of the history of Kazakh literature, the development of literary studies worked at the department in different years. A huge role in the teaching, methodological and research activities of the Department was played by academician R. Nurgali.

Teachers of the Department read lecture, conduct practical classes in general and special courses in bachelor's degree, in magistracy and PhD doctoral studies of the faculties of philology and world languages, journalism in such areas as “Theory of Literature”, “Folklore”, “Rhetoric”, “History of Kazakh Literature”, “Literary Criticism”.

During its function, the Department was twice restructured. In 1990, it was divided into the Department of Kazakh Literature and the Department of History and Criticism of Kazakh Literature, in 2000 it was divided into the Department of Kazakh Literature and the Department of Theory of Literature (since 2005 the Department of Theory of Literature and Folklore). In 1975-2000, the head of the Department of Kazakh Literature was academician of NAS RK Z.K. Kabdolov. The Department of History and Criticism of Kazakh Literature was led by Professor T. Kakishuly. The Department of Theory of Literature and Folklore in 2000-2010 was headed by professor B. Maitanov; 2010-2011 was headed by professor A. Temirbolat.

From 1940 to 2009, the department was headed by such scientists as associate professor M. Sarmurzina, professor B. Shalabaev, professor B. Kenzhebaev, professor J. Dadebaev, professor Z.-G.Bisengali.

From June 2009 to August 2012 the head of the Department was Full Professor O. Abdimanuly. Since September 2012 the Department is headed by Higher Doctorate of Philological Science, Full Professor A. Temirbolat.

To date, in accordance with the strategy the University’s development, the Department of Kazakh Literature has merged with the Department of Theory of Literature and Folklore, founded in 2000, and renamed the Department of Kazakh Literature and Theory of Literature. There are 7 doctors of sciences, 14 candidates of sciences, 1 PhD, 5 senior lecturers, 1 lecturer.

Formed on the basis of two Departments, a new teaching team, relying on the achievements of world literature, research of literary historical sources and taking into account changes in public consciousness, is developing a new system for studying and teaching history and the theory of literature. As a priority, they put forward a study of historical sources, internal and external factors that determined the patterns of cultural and literary and artistic development, the peculiarities of the national mentality.