The Chair of Sociology at Yerevan State University (YSU) has been functioning since 1986 and is one of the first Sociology departments in the post-soviet space that has combined traditions of national sociological thought with the post-soviet modernization waves. The Chair was established in 1986 by Prof. Lyudmila Harutyunyan on the basis of the Laboratory of Sociological Research, functioning from 1980s. In 2004 the Department of Social Work and Technologies was separated from the Chair of Sociology, which was functioning within the Faculty of Philosophy, Sociology and Psychology. Later starting from September 1, 2004, on the basis of the two Chairs mentioned, the Department of Sociology started functioning as a separate subdivision at YSU.
           The Chair of Sociology follows 3 major research directions: Applied Sociology and PR Methodology, Theory and History of Sociology, and Conflict Studies. The scientific and educational activities of the Department of Sociology are developing in accordance with the mentioned directions in three specializations – Sociology, Conflict Studies, and Social Research Methodology and PR. Conflict Studies are incorporated into BA and MA study levels so that Chair of Sociology introduces 4 years’ undergraduate and 2 years’ graduate study programs and diplomas in Sociology/Applied Sociology, Sociology/PR and Social Research Methodology, and Sociology/Conflict Studies.
           It is worthy to mention that Sociology/Conflict Studies program at YSU, Chair of Sociology, was established in collaboration with George Mason University, Washington D.C., USA, and was the first and unique one in the field in the region of South Caucasus.
           The MA study program in PR and Social Research Methodology is relatively new and especially popular taking in account quick development of PR and Media-market on the post-soviet space.
           The Faculty of Chair of Sociology is the youngest by its age among University specialists, and the fact is counted among the advantages of the Chair; most of the Faculty members besides their national PhDs and Masters have foreign academic degrees from such famous universities as The London School of Economics and Political Science, Harvard University, Tufts University. Some of the Faculty members are visiting scholars at Central European University, at University of California, Berkeley, etc.
           On the international level the Chair of Sociology collaborates with various scientific and educational institutions – Berlin Humboldt University, Potsdam University, Ruhr University in Bochum, Swiss Peace, California State University, George Mason University, Uppsala University. The Chair is a member of International Sociological Association. Many foreign professors and academics usually participate in the monthly methodological seminars organized by the Department.
           The results of active academic and methodological research works have been published in the number of scientific journals. Numerous projects have been implemented by the Chair of Sociology which analyzed various problems of Armenian society and as a consequence having practical outcomes and proposals.
           The faculty development of the Department of Sociology is being carried out through various short term and long term exchange programs in the most advanced scientific centers around the world, particularly in those of American, German, French, Italian, Hungarian, English, Indian, as well as in the NIS universities.
           Since 2006 annually the Department of Sociology holds its’ Annual Sociological Conference and the papers presented are being published in the yearbook of the Department.
           The academic and teaching activities of the department are carried out by the following staff members: 1 full professor, 8 associate professors, 7 assistant professors, 6 lecturers and office assistants, and 6 lecturers, who also hold other professional activities outside the University.

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