Defense of the dissertation of Matayeva Assyl for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the specialty «8D02314 - Literary studies»

L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, a dissertation defense for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Matayeva Assyl on the topic «Modern Kazakh Literary Study: Scientific Problems, Issues of the Research» to the educational program «8D02314 – Literary studies».

The dissertation was carried out at the «Kazakh Literature education department» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

The language of defense is kazakh

Official reviewers:

– Smagulov Zhandos Kozhakhmetuly – Doctor of Philology, Professor at the Department of Kazakh Literature, Karaganda University named after Academician E.A. Buketov (Karaganda, Kazakhstan);

– Samen Kulbarak Orazgaliuly – Doctor of Philology, Professor at M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University, Chief Researcher at the Research Center “Dulatitanu and Regional History” (Taraz, Kazakhstan).

Temporary members of the Dissertation Committee:

– Sayfulina Flera Sagitovna – Doctor of Philology, Doctor of Philology, Professor of the Department of Tatar Literature, Kazan Federal University (Kazan, Tatarstan) / Erkin Rabbimovich Musurmanov – Doctor of Philology, Professor at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages (Samarkand, Uzbekistan) by decision the decision of the dissertation council «8D023-Languages and literature» ( «8D02305-Рhilology», «6D020500- Рhilology», «6D021400- Literary studies», «8D02314-Literary studies» Protocol № 29 (1) 11.08.2025

– Adayeva Ermek Sabyrbaevna – Candidate of Philology, Lecturer at the Department of Kazakh Language and Turkology of Nazarbayev University (Astana, Kazakhstan);

– Daurenbekova Laura Nugaibekovna – Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor of the Kazakh Language and Literature Department at the Eurasian Humanitarian Institute (Astana, Kazakhstan).

Scientific consultants:

– Zhumagul Sagymbay Botbayuly – Doctor of Philology, Acting Professor of the Department of Kazakh Literature of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana, Kazakhstan);

– Kopteva Eleonora Ivanovna– Doctor of Philology, Professor of Omsk State Pedagogical University, Head of the Department of Literature and Cultural Studies (Omsk, Russia).

The defense will take place on August 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the Dissertation Council for the training direction «8D023 – Languages and literature» in the specialty «8D02314 – Literary studies» of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The defense meeting is planned to be held offline and online.

Link: https://clck.ru/3MYb2e 

Address: Astana, K.Satpayev St, 2, academic and administrative building, room 101.

Abstract (English): The dissertation by Matayeva Assyl Kamchybekovna on the topic «Modern Kazakh Literary Study: Scientific Problems, Issues of the Research», prepared for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the education program «8D02314 - Literary Studies» ANNOTATION Relevance of the Research Topic. The study of the development trajectory of contemporary Kazakh literary studies during the period of independence, as well as the systematic examination of its scholarly problems and research aspects, constitutes one of the pressing academic tasks. There has emerged a clear need to reassess the literary heritage that remained marginalized under the totalitarian regime, to introduce into scholarly discourse the creative legacy of the Alash movement figures, and to reinterpret the theoretical and methodological foundations of national literary scholarship. In this context, significant contributions to the systematization of literary material were made by major publications issued under the state program “Cultural Heritage,” such as The Word of the Ancestors, (100 volumes), Literary Monuments (20 volumes), Classical Studies (34 volumes), and the ten-volume History of Kazakh Literature. Nevertheless, the key scholarly problems and research dimensions of contemporary Kazakh literary studies from the late 20th to the first quarter of the 21st century have yet to be addressed comprehensively at the level of dissertation research. Therefore, the systematization of literary processes and scholarly approaches of this period, as well as the analysis of their theoretical and methodological underpinnings, constitutes a relevant academic challenge requiring independent investigation. Research Goals and Objectives. The purpose of this study is to identify the leading trends in scientific research, critical-aesthetic and literary-theoretical thought in Kazakh literary criticism during the period of independence. The dissertation sets out the following objectives aimed at analyzing the key achievements within the framework of contemporary Kazakh literary studies: – study of fundamental works on the history of Kazakh literature, published during the period of independence; – analysis of scientific works devoted to the problems of periodization of the history of Kazakh literature, identification of modern methodological positions and their systematization; – to analyze modern literary critical research and evaluate its ideological features; – analysis of scientific works characterizing the methodological system of modern literary criticism; – to identify the features of literary theory and systematize modern concepts in literary studies; – analysis of the methodological system in modern Kazakh literary criticism in connection with the paradigms of world literary criticism. Scientific Novelty of the Research: – the scientific concepts have been systematized and research directions identified, based on the national worldview, historical continuity, and a personological approach in the study of the periodization of Kazakh literary history; – in the course of the study, the main principles of periodization were systematized, and an integrated model was proposed that allows for structuring the literary process on a historical and theoretical basis; – the ideological and directional features of contemporary Kazakh literary criticism have been systematized, and relevant forms of critical thinking based on freedom of judgment and pluralism of opinion have been identified; – the cognitive and methodological features of contemporary literary criticism have been analyzed, and its developmental directions have been defined; – the main conceptual approaches and methodological characteristics of contemporary literary theory have been systematized, and their areas of application within national literary scholarship have been outlined; – research methods in modern Kazakh literary studies have been examined in correlation with current global methodologies, and key trends have been systematized. Methodology and Theoretical Basis of the Research In the process of studying modern Kazakh literary criticism, theoretical, methodological provisions and views that have developed in the science of literature were taken as a basis. The works of such scientists as A. Baitursynuly, M. Auezov, A. Margulan, K. Zhumaliyev, E. Ysmayilov, A. Konyratbayev, B. Kenjebayev, T. Nurtazin, M. Karatayev, K. Mukhametkhanov, A. Zhirenshin, M. Bazarbayev, Y. Duysenbev, H. Suyinshaliev, U. were used in the study. U. Subkhanberdina, S. Ordaliyev, S. Kirabayev, Kh. Adibayev, Z. Kabdolov, T. Kakishuly, M. Duysenov, Z. Akhmetov, T. Kozhakeyev, A. Derbisalin, Sh. Eleukenov, M. Myrzakhmetuly, A. Narymbetov, Sh. Satbayeva, Z. Serikkaliyev, R. Nurgali, T. Tokbergenov, S. Kaskabasov, M. Zholdasbekov, M. Magauin, K. Sydikov, K. Omiraliyev, N. Kelimbetov, A. Espenbetov, K.P. Zhusip, A. Kyraubaykyzy, B. Karibayeva, Zh. Dadebayev, D. Yskakuly, S. Negimov, S. Ashimbayev, T. Zhurtbay, A. Egeubayev, K. Ergobek, B. Maytanov, S. Dauіtuly, B. Ybyraiym, T. Sydykov, K. Alpysbayev, S. Zhumabekov, O. Abdimanuly, R. Turysbek, T. Esembekov, A. Ismakova, Zh. Smagulov, B. Omaruly, D. Kamzabek, A. Sharip, S. Zhumagul, K. Baitanasova, Zh. Aitmukhambet, Zh. Zharylgapov, S. Aytuganova, A. Usen, M. Orazbek, K. Kemenger and other scientists, as well as the scientific and methodological foundations of collective research. Object of the Research. History of literature, literary theory and literary criticism. Research Methods. "The historical-comparative method, theoretical and methodological analysis, system-structural analysis, as well as methods of textual and content analysis were employed. The application of these methods made it possible to comprehensively examine the scientific issues of contemporary Kazakh literary studies and to thoroughly analyze its research aspects." Theoretical and Practical Significance of the Research. The research findings can be used in the teaching of such disciplines as History of Literary Studies, Research Methods in Kazakh Literature, History of Kazakh Literature, Introduction to Literary Studies, Theory of Literature, and History of Kazakh Literary Criticism. They may also serve as a basis for the development of elective courses and teaching materials. In addition, the results can provide a theoretical and methodological foundation for further research in the field of contemporary Kazakh literary studies. Main Findings for Defense: – contemporary research on the problem of periodization in the history of Kazakh literature has acquired a systematic character, and the scholarly potential of approaches based on the national worldview, spiritual values, and a personological perspective has significantly increased; – a system of principles grounded in national ideology, artistic structure, and historical continuity ensures the conceptual coherence and scholarly validity of the periodization of Kazakh literary history; – contemporary Kazakh literary criticism represents a relevant direction of literary thought, based on artistic analysis and the interpretation of national ideas, characterized by ideological breadth, freedom of judgment, and a clearly expressed authorial stance; – the features of applying traditional and modern methods in Kazakh literary criticism have been identified, along with its ideological and directional characteristics; the dynamics of the development of literary-theoretical systems and critical models indicate the emergence of a scientific foundation for modern Kazakh criticism; – it has been established that the systematization of conceptual and methodological orientations in contemporary literary studies has led to the formation of new scientific and cognitive models for analyzing literary processes, contributing to the clarification of current directions in national literary scholarship; – integration with global methodological approaches in contemporary Kazakh literary studies has intensified, resulting in the expansion of the content and scope of research methods for analyzing the national literary process; this process has laid the foundation for the emergence of a new methodological paradigm in literary scholarship. Structure of the Dissertation. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three main chapters divided into subsections, a conclusion, and a list of references. Publications and Approval of the Research: The results of the study were published in 19 (nineteen) scientific articles. Of these: in a peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor included in the Scopus database - 1, in scientific publications approved by the Committee for Control in the Sphere of Education and Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan - 5 (five), in scientific publications of the RSCI - 1 (one), in foreign publications - 2 (two), in the materials of international scientific and theoretical conferences - 10 (ten) articles. Articles Published in Peer-Reviewed Journals with Impact Factor 1. Modern Approaches to the Theory and Methodology of Kazakh Literary: Integration of National and Global Trend // Forum for Linguistic Studies. – 2025. – 7(2). – Р. 639 – 653, Publications in Scientific Journals Approved by the Committee for Control in the Field of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan: 1. Study of the history of Kazakh literature: traditional directions, new trends // Bulletin of Toraigyrov University. Philological series. – 2022. – No. 2. – P. 74-186. 2. Kazakh literary studies at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries: research in the study of the history of literature in a new way // Bulletin of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Philological series. – 2022. – No. 3 (187). – P. 148-157. 3. Modern Kazakh Literature Studies: Achievements, Problems, Development prospects // Bulletin of Toraigyrov University. Philological series. – – 2023. – No. 1. – P. 227-238. 4. Research in modern Kazakh literary criticism // Bulletin of the Eurasian Humanitarian Institute. Philological series. – 2023. – No. 4. – P. 207-219. 5. The liminal concept in modern literary studies // Bulletin of Toraigyrov University. Philological series. –2023. – No. 4. – P. 244-257. Publications in the RISC and foreign publications: 1. New concepts in the theory of modern Kazakh literary criticism. // Human Science: Humanitarian Research” magazines. Russian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. – 2022. – No. 1. – P.75-85. 2. Problems of the theory and methodology of modern Kazakh Literary studies // Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development. – 2025. – 9(1). – Р. 1-17. 3. Criticism of modern Kazakh literature: scientific methodology and new directions // Actual scientific research in the modern world. international science journal. Ukraine. – 2022. – №11(91). – P. 190-195. Conference Presentations and Proceedings: 1. Modern literary trends and literary criticism // Materials of the XVI International Scientific Conference of Students and Young Students "Gylym jane bilim - 2021". (Nur-Sultan, 2021. – P. 132-136). 2. Actual problems of modern Kazakh literary studies // VI International Scientific-Practical Conference "The Europe and the Turkic World: Science, Engineering and Technology". (Bursa, 2021. – P. 220-224). 3. National Kazakh literature and literary heritage // Materials of the VI International scientific and practical conference "Modern problems of civilization and sustainable development in the information society". (Moscow, 2021. – P. 246-251). 4. Current state of Kazakh literary criticism // VII International Scientific-Practical Conference. (Daegu, 2022. – P. 81-87). 5. Modern Kazakh literary criticism: new searches // Materials of the conference "Abai's poetry and national poetic space". (Astana, 2022. – P. 164–173). 6. Stages and trends of development of modern Kazakh literary criticism // International Scientific Conference "Reviews of Modern Science". (Zurich, 2022. – P. 19–27). 7. Actual problems of modern Kazakh literary criticism // International Scientific and Practical Conference "Global science and innovations 2022: Central Asia". (Astana, 2022. – P. 43–47). 8. Current directions of research in the theory of modern Kazakh literary criticism // Materials of the international scientific conference "XXIII Satpayev readings". (Pavlodar, 2023. – P. 243–250). 9. The problem of liminality in modern literary studies // Materials of the scientific-theoretical conference "New paradigms of literary studies at the crossroads of the humanities", dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zaki Akhmetov. (Astana, 2023. – P. 156–160). 10. New aspects of the study of the theory of modern Kazakh literary studies // Materials of the international scientific-practical conference "Scholars: Kanysh Satpayev and Alkey Margulan", dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the academician K. Satpayev. (Pavlodar, 2024. – P. 354–361). The dissertation was reviewed at the meeting of the Department of Kazakh Literature at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and has been recommended for defense in the specialty 8D02314 – Literary Studies.

Dissertation

List of Scientific Works

Consultant's Review

Foreign Consultant's Review

Conclusion of the Research Ethics Committee

Official Reviewer's Review

Official Reviewer's Review