The Department of World History and Religious Studies was established in accordance with Protocol No. 1 of the decision of the Academic Council, held in August 2021-2022 academic year. The department works on educational programs of specialties 5B011400 - History, 5B013000 - History and Religious studies, 6B01601 - Training of history teachers and 6B01602-Training of history and religious studies teachers.

The history of the Department of World History and Religious Studies in the training of competitive specialists in accordance with modern requirements begins with the history of the institute, founded in 1937. Many teachers work in this team and make a significant contribution to the training of qualified specialists in the field of public education of the Republic.

From 2017 to 2021, the department was headed by Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor Syzdykova Gauhar Maysurovna.

In the 2020-2021 academic year, the faculty was renamed the Historical and Pedagogical Faculty. Since the 2021-2022 academic year, Candidate of Historical Sciences, senior lecturer Gulzhan Zhaksymbetovna Orynbasarova has been appointed head of the Department of World History and Religious Studies on a competitive basis.

The history of the Department of History of Kazakhstan and Social Disciplines, which trains historians for the southern regions of our country, dates back to the time of the creation of the oldest pedagogical university in the country - the Shymkent Pedagogical Institute. Over the years, the staff of the department has trained many highly qualified personnel for the education system of the republic.

In 1960, the Department of "Civil History" was separated from the Department of "Marxism and Leninism". The origins of the Department of History were the prominent scholar-medievalist Associate Professor M.F.Fadina, veteran of the Great Patriotic War associate professor A.I.Ismailov. During these years, Doctors of I.N. T.Bakshilov, Y.P.Grinevich, K.Saduakasova, N.P.Podushkin worked at the department.

In 1965, independent departments of "History of the USSR" and "Universal History" were separated from the Department of History.

Until the last days of his life, one of the first graduates of the university, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, a knight of the Orders of V.I. Lenin and A. Nevsky, Candidate of Historical Sciences, associate professor S. Shakirov worked at the department.

Until the mid-70s, the Department of History of the USSR was headed by associate Professor K.Yu. Yusupov. During these years, associate professors Y.P.Grinevich, S.Nauryzbayev, G.Satybekova, Y.Kaisarbayev, E.V.Zhevako, N.V.Kutnyakova, A.Klimenko worked at the department.

In 1974-1985, Associate Professor Y.P.Grinevich was at the head of the Department of the History of the USSR. During these years, its composition was replenished with such personnel as S.N.Konakbayev, S.S.Abubakirov, A.N.Podushkin, R.A.Omarova, D.M.Bekmanova, G.A. Marina. From 1985 to 1996, the department was headed by Associate Professor N.V.Kutnyakova and it was replenished with new personnel V.S.Tsoi, Ya.F.Tiktopulo, A.Almakhanova, Z.K.Isabekov, S.S.Konakbayeva. In 1992, the department was transformed into the Department of History of Kazakhstan. In 1996-1998, the department was headed by associate Professor S.S.Abubakirov, in 1998-1999 – Ph.D., Associate Professor D.M.Bekmanova, in 1999-2001 – Associate Professor B.Altaev, 2001-2002. - Doctor of I.N. S.Zholdasov, 2002-2003 - Associate Professor B.K.Isabek, 2003-2004 - Associate professor S.Abubakirov, 2004-2006 - Candidate of I.N. Zh.I.Muldakhmetova, 2006-2007 - Associate Professor G.Maymakov, 2007-2009 - G.Marina, 2009-2013 - Candidate of I.N. D.A. Kumysbekova.

From 1965 to 1974 associate Professor A.Aldabergenov, from 1974 to 1986 associate professor K.Saduakasova, from 1986 to 1991 associate professor R.Beknazarov, from 1991 to 1995 associate professor S.Zholdasov, from 1995 to 1998 associate Professor M.Auanasov, from 1998 to 2002 associate professor K.Iztleuov, from 2002 to 2010 associate professor G.D.Sugirbayeva. During these years, A.Ibraev, R.Beknazarov, M.Ermekov, I.I.Vakhtel, L.G.Dreyzis and many others worked at the department.

On August 31, 2010 (Protocol No. 1), by the decision of the Joint Academic Council of the Shymkent Institute of the Yasavi Moscow State Technical University and the Academic Innovation University, the Departments of "History of Kazakhstan" and "World History" were merged into the Department of History of Kazakhstan and World History.

In 2011, the Department became part of the Faculty of History and Pedagogy of the newly transformed South Kazakhstan State Pedagogical Institute by Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 722 dated June 28, 2011.

In 2012-2013, the department was part of the Faculties of History and Vocational Training and History and Pedagogy. On March 1, 2014, the department became a part of the Humanitarian and Social Scientific School.

In the 2016-2017 academic year, by the decision of the Academic Council, the Department of History of Kazakhstan and World History was merged with the Department of Social Disciplines. Since the 2017-2018 academic year, the Department of History of Kazakhstan and Social Disciplines has been part of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Humanities.

Syzdykova Gauhar Maysurovna - Head of the Department, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, associate Professor.

At the Department of History of Kazakhstan and Social Disciplines there are Ph.D., senior lecturer G.Zh.Orynbasarova, famous archaeologist, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A.N.Podushkin, Ph.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor G.D.Sugirbayeva, Ph.D., Associate Professor M.N.Aldabergen, Ph.D., Associate Professor M.N.Aldabergen, Ph.D.T.M.Ruyatkina, Ph.D. B.S.Aitai, Acting Associate Professor, PhD M.K.Aldabergenova, Senior lecturer G.A.Marina, Master N.Isamet, senior lecturer G.Zhadraeva, master M.Besbayev, master A.B.Amirkhanov

Currently, the Department of World History and Religious Studies employs Candidate of Historical Sciences, senior lecturer Orynbasarova G. Zh., Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, renowned archaeologist Podushkin A. N., Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor Sugirbayeva G. D., Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor Aldabergen M. N., Candidate of Historical Sciences Ruyatkina T. M., Candidate of Historical Sciences Aytai B. S., Candidate of Historical Sciences Aldabergenova M. K., senior lecturer Marina G. A., Master Besbaev M. A., Tastanova R. S., Master Isamet N., master Amirkhanov A. B., master Zhadraeva G. A.

Since the 2021-2022 academic year, in order to improve the quality of training of specialists, the university has hired the deputy director for educational work of secondary school No. 19 named after U. Zhanibekov Tastanova R.S. to teach methods of teaching history, methods of teaching history and religious studies.

From the 2023-2024 academic year, in accordance with the order of the university management No. 4-150 dated August 11, 2023, our department will train specialists in master’s degrees (7M01601 “Training of a history teacher” BBB) and (8D01601). “Training of a History Teacher” BBB) doctoral studies “History of Kazakhstan and Social Subjects” were transferred from the department to the department of “World History and Religious Studies”. In addition, the teaching staff of our department is Isabek B.K., Naimanbaev B.R., Sengirbaeva Z.K., Baishuakova A.D., Baimakhanov B.K., Abdikhanova A.Zh. complete with qualified and experienced teachers.