The Department of History was founded by Prof. Dr. Ercüment KURAN during the 1971-1972 academic year. Until the end of the 1974-1975 academic year, it provided service courses to various faculties of the university and also offered graduate-level education. Beginning in the 1975-1976 academic year, the department started admitting undergraduate students and awarded its first degrees in the 1979-1980 academic year.

The department's objective is to study and research all periods of human history and Turkish history—especially modern history—within the framework of world history, using a holistic and comparative approach. It aims to develop new research methods and to train individuals capable of conducting historical research at the undergraduate level. Graduates are prepared to work in archives, libraries, and other institutions related to history and information management. Additionally, for students aiming to become history teachers, the department provides subject-matter knowledge necessary for the non-thesis master's program required for teaching.

The Department of History includes the following academic divisions: General Turkish History, Medieval History, Early Modern History, Modern History, History of Ottoman Institutions and Civilization, and History of the Republic of Turkey.