Course “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood” in Universities: Socio-Political Effects in Social Media
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The article presents the results of study of information flows in social media about the course “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood”. Given the degree of hybridization of the media sphere, as well as the involvement of students in the digital environment, the most complete picture of the socio-political effects of the implementation of course can be formed based on the digital traces left by Internet users – students who have mastered this course and other audiences involved in the process of developing and teaching the discipline. The research method is two-stage and includes the use of cognitive content mapping on the topic of course implementation, as well as automated social media analysis of information flows in 2023-2024. The authors analyze the content of the content about the course of positive and negative modality, the semantic core of the information flow, its technological support, as well as the structure and interests of the audience. The information flow formed by the supporters of the course dominated over the opposing one in all network parameters. At the same time, the discourse of the positive segment is purely narrative in nature and does not convey the semantic concepts of the course, which gives it a formal character and creates the image of a routine academic discipline. In an attempt to avoid “politicization” and “ideologizing”, educational organizations actually emasculate the semantic content, often distancing themselves from the current socio-political agenda. Despite the fairly consolidated content of the positive digital flow, its importance for informing key audiences, there is a clear lack of a proactive agenda, discourses of active patriotism, and a focus on converting students’ activity into positive practices. The negative flow is less consolidated and voluminous and often designates the course as a means of discrediting the Russian educational system and the state as a whole. Content of this kind, despite its small number, is deeply politicized and allows various network actors, to use specific university cases for provocative purposes. Based on the results of the study, the authors consider key areas for improving the practice and methodology of teaching the course.
Source: Высшее образование в России
Institution: Financial University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408007553