درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

This article analyzes the transformation of Turkish foreign policy towards the Middle East during the turbulent years initiated with the Arab Spring. In due course, Turkish policy considerably shifted from proactive engagement with the region in the early 2000s to a bid to leading regional transformation, particularly in the initial years of the Arab Spring. However, the reversal of the Arab Spring increasingly presented a blowback for Türkiye’s regional engagements. The ensuing regional insecurity resulted in a realist turn in Turkish foreign policy, with frequent resort to military instruments and coercive diplomacy. Eventually, regional policies of Türkiye corresponded to the search for de-escalation and normalization within the emerging Middle Eastern order since 2020. The article argues that changing regional dynamics corresponding with domestic conditions influenced and shaped Türkiye’s policies towards the Middle East. Recently, under the impact of the regional-systemic pressures coupled with changing domestic conditions, recalibrating its regional engagement, Türkiye has prioritized the normalization agenda. It argues that while normalization agenda will remain an important objective for Türkiye’s regional policies, it will evolve in a partial manner, and case-by-case, conditional on the unfolding regional order and Ankara’s strategic priorities.

Purpose: The curriculum is a central element in any educational activity, and the present study aimed to design and validate an environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach. Methodology: This study used a mixed-methods approach, where the qualitative sample consisted of academic and organizational experts familiar with the research field, and the quantitative sample included curriculum specialists, textbook authors of the Ministry of Education, and environmental experts. The qualitative and quantitative research samples comprised 22 and 191 individuals, respectively, selected according to the principle of theoretical saturation through purposive non-random sampling and Cochran's formula with convenience non-random sampling. The research tools were semi-structured interviews and researcher-made questionnaires in the qualitative and quantitative sections, respectively, whose psychometric indices were confirmed. Data were analyzed using coding in Nvivo software and exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling in SPSS and Smart PLS software. Findings: The qualitative findings indicated that the environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach contained 87 concepts across 10 elements; namely, 13 concepts for program logic, 15 for program objectives, 13 for educational content, 7 for teaching and learning activities, 9 for instructor characteristics, 7 for educational materials and resources, 5 for educational space and setting, 8 for grouping, 4 for instructional time, and 6 for assessment. Additionally, the quantitative findings showed that the factor loadings, average variance extracted, and composite reliability of the elements were respectively higher than 0.40, 0.50, and 0.70. The fit of the environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach was appropriate, with all path coefficients being higher than 0.50 and significant at the 0.001 level. Conclusion: According to the environmental education curriculum model for higher education based on the "Aker" approach and its concepts, planning for the design and application of an environmental education curriculum is essential.

Purpose: Parental involvement in education is widely recognized as a critical factor influencing children's academic success. This qualitative study seeks to explore the varied aspects of parental engagement and understand its direct and indirect effects on student outcomes. The objective is to delineate how different forms of involvement contribute to academic achievement and to identify the barriers that parents face in engaging with their children's educational processes. Methodology: The study employed a qualitative methodology, focusing exclusively on semi-structured interviews to gather comprehensive data from 24 participants, including parents, students, and teachers. The interviews aimed at achieving theoretical saturation and were analyzed using NVivo software to facilitate a thorough thematic analysis. The participant selection was purposive, ensuring a diverse demographic representation to capture a wide range of experiences and insights. Findings: Three main themes were identified from the analysis: Types of Parental Involvement, Impact of Involvement on Student Outcomes, and Barriers to Parental Involvement. Under these themes, multiple categories were explored, such as Emotional Support, Academic Assistance, and Financial Support, which significantly enhanced academic performance and student well-being. Barriers identified included work and time constraints, economic factors, and cultural attitudes, which hindered effective parental engagement. Conclusion: The study underscores the significant positive effects of diverse types of parental involvement on students' academic outcomes and emotional well-being. It also highlights several socio-economic and cultural barriers that can restrict parental engagement. Addressing these barriers is crucial for facilitating more effective parental involvement, which is essential for optimizing student achievement.