History textbook with a “Common Core” for Russian Universities
by Svyatoslav Knyazev
Six versions of a history textbook with a “common core” are being prepared for Russian higher educational institutions. This was reported by the TASS agency, citing Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education and Co-Chairman of the Russian Historical Society, Konstantin Mogilevsky. Domestic higher education teachers consider this initiative soundand promising, provided it is implemented with high quality.
From Idea to Implementation
The introduction of the new set of textbooks is planned for 2024. It will be intended for “non-specialized” disciplines at universities, academies, and institutes. Different sections will focus on the development of specific fields of knowledge – such as medicine, technology, or pedagogy. As for our country’s past as a whole, this information will be standardized for students.
In the current academic year, Russian students have begun studying Russian history within the framework of a unified course approved by the Ministry of Education and Science. While the specific volume of historical knowledge for non-specialized programs was not regulated before, it now amounts to 144 hours of study over two semesters. Approximately 80% of the program for full-time students involves “contact” sessions with lecturers.
According to experts, by the time students enter university, they often tend to forget important events in the country’s history. Also, due to their age, much of what is covered in the school curriculum is presented in an adapted, “child-friendly” version.
“Studying history at university involves conversing with adults capable of comprehending complex subjects and having a better grasp of nuances,” stated Andrey Koshkin, Head of the Department of Political Analysis and Socio-Psychological Processes at the G.V. Plekhanov Russian Economic University, in an interview with the “About RussiaGazette.”
Teachers view the idea of a standardized course and a unified textbook positively.
“The concept of teaching is not a rigid directive but a reasonable guide. It allows a specific university to develop its programs according to certain standards without restricting the use of teaching methods,” explained Vitaly Zakharov, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor at the Moscow Pedagogical State University.
Tested and Approved
In October 2023, the Second National Forum of History Teachers took place in Tobolsk, gathering around 150 educators from leading Russian universities. The central event of the forum was a session of the Expert Council for the Development of Historical Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The discussion focused on the textbook, which the Ministry of Education plans to continue implementing as part of the new history teaching concept in universities.
Sergey Naryshkin, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society, called the development of the textbook a significant step in improving higher historical education.
Yuri Petrov, Director of the Institute of Russian History at the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized at the forum that the new textbook would present Russian history in a global context. Approximately 20% of its content will be devoted to international events – naturally interconnected with what was happening in our country at the same time.
Now, Konstantin Mogilevsky confirmed that the new textbook is set to arriveand be readyby the 2024-2025 academic year.
“The idea of creating a textbook with a common core but with separate sectoral modules is correct and promising. However, it’s crucial to avoid rigid directives and ensure a balanced analysis of different perspectives,” shared Vitaly Zakharov.
He also believes that students’ study of the history of their field of knowledge, firstly, enhances the quality of preparing broadly-thinking specialists and, secondly, simply presents an interesting subject for the youth.
Six versions of a history textbook with a “common core” are being prepared for Russian higher educational institutions
Photo: Kuban State University
According to Andrey Koshkin, the issue of improving the history education system in universities has long been overdue:
“I would say history is the queen of sciences. It’s crucial not only for specialized professionals but for everyone without exception. History, after all, is the cornerstone for fostering citizenship and a person’s ability to critically process the social information absorbed into their minds.”
The inadequate teaching of history during the latter period of the USSR became one of the reasons for its collapse, as noted by the expert.
“People who lack historical knowledge are very easily manipulated. If history lessons become dull, rigid, and fail to address the questions arising among schoolchildren and students, the youth seek answers elsewhere. In the ‘dashing90s’, the situation with history education became catastrophic. Numerous textbooks emerged, the quality of which was poorly regulated. Some books that the younger generation of Russians studied were even published by Soros-affiliated structures, distorting historical reality severely. People believed absurdities like the USSR planning to attack Hitler’s Germany, the decisive role of the US in World War II, and so on,” stated Andrey Koshkin.
Presently, given the existing geopolitical divide in the world, having a quality understanding of history among Russians is a matter of vital necessity.
“In my opinion, our country lacks professional historians capable of researching specific scientific inquiries, while representatives from other professions lack accessible historical knowledge. Moreover, the question of moving away from a Eurocentric worldview has long been pressing. Our primary trade partners are now Asian, African, and Latin American countries. When our businessmen, engineers, agronomists, or geologists travel there, they should have an understanding of the society they are about to engage with. It’s crucial to consider this in the new textbook.”
Nevertheless, the foremost role lies in the fact that a good grasp of history acts as a safeguard for mass consciousness against manipulation. “If our educators succeed in accomplishing this enlightening task, then no one would resort to tearing down their country in pursuit of an imaginary foreign ‘paradise,'” concluded the professor.