In its educational activities, the department aims at providing its students with theoretical and methodological knowledge and practical research skills in line with current theoretical and empirical debates and developments in the field. To this end, the department pays special attention to providing and maintaining an academic and intellectual environment in which its students acquire the best possible professional knowledge, skills andexperience. In its research activities, on the other hand, the department conducts research on social, cultural, economic and political issues as well as contributing to the development and assessment of social policies. In this context, the department gives support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations for the designing and conducting of empirical research.