General Information

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND CULTUROLOGY: HISTORICAL TRANSFORMATIONS

The philosophy department of NUVHP was founded in 1968 with 11 lecturers, including four candidates of sciences.

Over the years, the department has been headed by:

1968–1974 – V. P. Kalnychenko, candidate of philosophical sciences, associate professor;

1974–1985 – M. T. Teriokhina, candidate of philosophical sciences, associate professor, author of over 70 scientific and educational-methodical works;

1986–2003 – P. Yu. Saukh, doctor of philosophical sciences, professor, academician of the Academy of Higher Education of Ukraine, distinguished educator;

2003–2023 – O. P. Nakonechna, doctor of philosophical sciences, professor, excellent educator.

Throughout its history, the department, ensuring the teaching of philosophical disciplines, contributed to the formation of a humanistic worldview among students of various specialties at the higher education institution.

Significant contributions to the development of the department were made by associate professors M. H. Bondar, V. O. Lusta, M. O. Zaitsev, L. I. Hryadunova, P. V. Rusin, L. A. Tsyhanchuk, L. D. Svitailo, L. O. Stasyuk. For many years, professor V. H. Nfestival worked fruitfully at the department. His textbook "Introduction to Philosophy: Ontology of Man" (Kyiv, 1995), which won a competition by the "Revival" foundation under the program "Transformation of Humanitarian Education in Ukraine", significantly influenced the renewal of philosophy teaching and remains relevant today.

Structurally, the department was part of the Faculty of Construction and Architecture and the Faculty of Hydrotechnical Construction and Hydroenergy during various periods. After the reorganization of the university in 2013, it became part of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Economics, Management, and Law (currently – ESI of Economics and Management), where it remained until 2025.

The department has always developed according to the needs of the time and educational challenges. In 2019, preparation for bachelor's degree seekers began under the educational program "Creative and Digital Culture". In 2022, due to the expansion of the department's activities, it was renamed to the Department of Philosophy and Culturology. Since 2023, it has been headed by candidate of philosophical sciences, associate professor T. A. Shadyuk. In the same year, the master's educational-professional program "Social Management and Information Culture" was opened, which, along with the bachelor's program, successfully passed accreditation in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Since 2025, the Department of Philosophy and Culturology has been part of the structure of the ESI of Construction, Architecture, and Design. Currently, the department implements the educational-professional program for the first (bachelor's) level "Creative and Digital Culture" in the specialty B12 "Culturology and Museology", as well as the bachelor's program "Design" in the specialty B2 "Design" (graphic design). The department comprises a highly qualified team of seven lecturers: the head of the department, candidate of philosophical sciences, associate professor T. A. Shadyuk; doctors of philosophical sciences, professors O. P. Nakonechna and A. Ye. Zaluzhna; candidates of philosophical sciences, associate professors O. V. Sarnavska, T. A. Koberska, M. S. Melnychuk; candidate of philosophical sciences P. Yu. Khrapko, as well as the department's secretary I. A. Pasevich.

The department actively prepares highly qualified scientific personnel. Under the guidance of professor O. P. Nakonechna and professor A. Ye. Zaluzhna, eight candidates of sciences and one doctor of sciences have been trained, confirming the department's high scientific potential and its contribution to the development of domestic philosophical and culturological thought.

From 2017 to 2020, the department worked on a research topic "Man – Culture – Spirituality: Modern Theoretical, Methodological and Practical Issues" (registration number 0113U004050) under the leadership of professor O. P. Nakonechna. From 2020 to 2024, researchers continued investigations within the topic "The Life World of Man as a Universe of Culture: Spiritual, Moral, Aesthetic and Religious Dimensions" (state registration number 0120U000237). In 2025, a new scientific research topic of the department was approved: "Man and Culture in the Context of Digitalization and Creative Practices: Spiritual, Aesthetic, Artistic, and Culturological Aspects", involving lecturers and students of the department's educational programs (head – T. A. Shadyuk, responsible – A. Ye. Zaluzhna).

In its activities, the department consistently combines academic traditions with innovative approaches. A significant place is occupied by the student-centered learning model, focused on individual educational trajectories, the development of critical and creative thinking, practical and communication competencies. The educational process is built on interdisciplinary principles, allowing the integration of humanitarian, social, and technological components to form a holistic vision of modern cultural, social, and artistic processes. The department actively implements leading digital and interactive platforms that expand learning opportunities, support research activities, and contribute to creating a dynamic intellectual environment.