Religious musical proficiencies of students in faculty of theology (Central Black Sea Region case)

The establishment purposes of the Faculties of Theology and Islamic Sciences include making it possible to examine religious issues according to solid and scientific principles, and training clergy who have strong professional knowledge and are comprehensive in their thinking. In this context, Turkish Religious Music courses, which are given as a sub-department of the Department of Islamic History and Arts, are valuable because they contribute to the mission of the students studying in these faculties. In addition, it is important for students studying in these faculties to have a basic level of proficiency in the field of religious music, due to the professions they will acquire and the religious identity they carry in society. This study consists of two parts. The introduction includes the purpose, method, scope and limitations of the research and a broad literature review. In the first part of the study, information is given about Religious Music education in the Faculties of Theology and Islamic Sciences from past to present, and within the scope of this study, Amasya University Faculty of Theology, HITU Faculty of Theology, OMÜ Faculty of Theology, Ordu University Faculty of Theology, and GOP Islamic Sciences Faculty, Religious Music Education. Music course curricula were discussed. In the second part, the findings and analyzes of the results obtained from the data collected with the qualitative research technique are included. Qualitative research technique was used in this research. Semi-structured interview technique was used because of the convenience it provides and its contribution to reaching in-depth information. 1-2-3-4 of the relevant faculties. Students who were studying in classes and taking the Religious Music course as compulsory or elective were included. Online interviews were held via WhatsApp and Zoom programs with a total of 50 participants, five women and five men, from the faculties involved in the research. In the interviews, the participants were asked questions covering their personal field, Religious Music course curriculum, and interest and ability in this field in the interview form aimed at revealing their Religious Music proficiency. After the answers received from the participants were transferred to the computer environment and converted into text, they were analyzed in four stages: deciphering, coding, researcher diary writing and category. In order to evaluate all these stages holistically, the data is presented statistically in a table. Our research aims to reveal the necessity of the Religious Music course for students of the Faculties of Theology and Islamic Sciences, both in terms of the religious identity they gain in society and the professions they will perform when they graduate. Based on the findings obtained, a number of suggestions have been made. The aim here is to support this aspect of students who are interested and talented in Religious Music lessons. At the same time, efforts will be made to ensure that students who have incomplete knowledge or need support in the Religious Music course develop these aspects. In this context, we believe that this study will benefit academic studies in this field in both aspects mentioned above