Political Education in University of Economics: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The article discusses present day problems of training politologists and sociologists in university of economics.  It shows a multi-level structure of political education in the Russian Plekhanov University of Economics and analyzed typical academic and education objectives. Specific features of education technologies used in the teaching process are identified. They are political information, project workshops, joint preparation of articles, participation of students in work of research clubs, their involvement in research activity, introduction during the 1-st year of practically oriented subjects, application of case studies and games. The authors for the first time identified the correlation between the three principle types of final qualification papers prepared by students- politologists and students –sociologists, i.e. explanatory, empiric and project ones. The article shows a specific role of programs of further education, such as ‘Multi- Media Journalism’ and ‘Conflictology’ in training of highly- qualified specialists.  It demonstrates potential prospects of developing political education in university of economics and puts forward recommendations aimed at developing political education at the level of bachelor, master and PhD courses and further education. The authors come to the conclusion that political education in the Russian Plekhanov University of Economics is at the stage of active development. They underline that introduction of new education technologies could provide an opportunity for graduates politologists and sociologists to learn how to function rationally in political and economic sphere.