Ivan Fomin2; Daniel Nedolyan1; Egor Kozhevnikov2; Julia Khairova3; 1 Yerevan State University, Armenia; 2 Charles University, Czechia; 3 Sciences Po, France
Discussion
The study explores the role played by Russian university professors in shaping the ideological message of the course “Foundations of Russian Statehood”. We leverage three kinds of sources: the course syllabi, Telegram group chats, in which professors discuss the course, and publications in Russian academic journals devoted to the course. We demonstrate that often teachers have to make their own choices when deciding the specifics of the course content, as the textbooks and teaching guidelines are vague and open to interpretation. We also demonstrate that, while a noticeable traditionalist and civilizationist conceptual core is evident throughout the syllabi designed by different instructors, the syllabi vary. “Traditional values” and elements of the so-called “pentabasis” are either optional or not particularly prominent. Moreover, some university professors publicly voice criticisms of the course from various ideological positions, by directly opposing the course, supplementing its content, or reinterpreting it.
