1. EFFECTS OF BOLOGNA PROCESS ON GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENTS IN TURKISH UNIVERSITIES Dr. Yilmaz Ari Department of Geography, Balikesir University, Turkey. Future Prospects in Geography, 4-7 September 2008, Liverpool Hope University

2. Contents The Bologna Process The Bologna Process Implementation of Bologna Process in Turkey Implementation of Bologna Process in Turkey Effects of Bologna Process on Geography Departments in Turkey Effects of Bologna Process on Geography Departments in Turkey Conclusions Conclusions

3. The Bologna Process The Bologna Process aims to create a European Higher Education Area by 2010, in which students can choose from a wide and transparent range of high quality courses and benefit from smooth recognition procedures. The Bologna Declaration has put in motion a series of reforms needed to make European Higher Education more compatible and comparable, more competitive and more attractive for Europeans and for students and scholars from other continents. Bologna DeclarationBologna Declaration

4. Action lines defined in the Bologna Declaration 1. Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees 1. Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees 2. Adoption of a system essentially based on two main cycles 2. Adoption of a system essentially based on two main cycles 3. Establishment of a system of credits 3. Establishment of a system of credits 4. Promotion of mobility for students and academic and administrative staff 4. Promotion of mobility for students and academic and administrative staff 5. Promotion of European cooperation in quality assurance 5. Promotion of European cooperation in quality assurance 6. Promotion of the European dimension in higher education 6. Promotion of the European dimension in higher education Action lines defined in the Prague Communiqué Action lines defined in the Prague Communiqué 7. Lifelong learning 7. Lifelong learning 8. Higher education institutions and students 8. Higher education institutions and students 9. Promoting the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area 9. Promoting the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area Action line defined in the Berlin Communiqué Action line defined in the Berlin Communiqué 10. Doctoral studies and the synergy between The European Higher Education Area and The European Research Area. 10. Doctoral studies and the synergy between The European Higher Education Area and The European Research Area.

5. The Bologna Process in Turkey The YOK (Higher Education Board) has undertaken the implementation of the Bologna process in Turkey. Since the beginning two national reports have been published by the YOK. The YOK (Higher Education Board) has undertaken the implementation of the Bologna process in Turkey. Since the beginning two national reports have been published by the YOK.

6. The Bologna Process in Turkey The activities have been done in two different terms, one covering 2004-2005 and the other 2005-2006. 1st term activities: Two national Bologna Conference 10 Regional meeting Bologna web site in Turkish and preparation of introductory material 2nd term activities 4 National meetings 35 Provincial meetings Bologna Process national evaluation conference Final Report

8. Effects of the Bologna Process on Geography Departments I prepared a questionnaire and tried to understand how the Bologna Process has been implemented in geography departments. The department chairs answered the questions. The questions aimed at investigating especially three cycle system, quality assurance and recognition of qualifications.

9. Findings All geography departments adopted the two/three cycle system (undergraduate/masters/doctoral) in Turkey All geography departments adopted the two/three cycle system (undergraduate/masters/doctoral) in Turkey Almost all departments made progress in terms of creating comparable degree programs and recognition of ECTS. Almost all departments made progress in terms of creating comparable degree programs and recognition of ECTS.

10. Findings Mobility, another action line in the Bologna Process seems to be implemented in geography departments less successfully than the other departments. Mobility, another action line in the Bologna Process seems to be implemented in geography departments less successfully than the other departments. Probably the most difficult challenge for geography departments to tackle is the determination of learning outcomes and competencies. Probably the most difficult challenge for geography departments to tackle is the determination of learning outcomes and competencies. Another problematic area is quality assurance action line Another problematic area is quality assurance action line

11. Conclusions Although the geography departments, compared to other disciplines started implementing the Bologna Process rather late, the developments in the departments throughout Turkey have been encouraging. Most departments have started ties with European partners through this process and some of them for the first time looked outside their own departments and processes to modernize their structures. Although the geography departments, compared to other disciplines started implementing the Bologna Process rather late, the developments in the departments throughout Turkey have been encouraging. Most departments have started ties with European partners through this process and some of them for the first time looked outside their own departments and processes to modernize their structures.

12. Conclusions Compared to other disciplines a number of publications stressed that academic geography in Turkey rather weak and there is a strong need to modernize the departments. It is thought that the Bologna Process is an opportunity for geography departments to modernise themselves. Compared to other disciplines a number of publications stressed that academic geography in Turkey rather weak and there is a strong need to modernize the departments. It is thought that the Bologna Process is an opportunity for geography departments to modernise themselves.