A presentation of the textbook on the course «Social Studies» for 10-11 classes of Orthodox gymnasiums took place in the Cathedral Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The presentation was conducted by the chairman of the Synodal Department of Religious Education and Catechization Metropolitan Evgeny of Ekaterinburg and Verkhotursk and Rector of Russian Orthodox University of St. John the Theologian A.V. Shchipkov, who led the authors of the new textbook.
A.V. Shchipkov.
In his opening remarks, Metropolitan Eugene told about the history of writing the textbook, created with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The author's team has collected unique information material with substantial content that fully meets both Russian educational norms and the latest demands of the time. Vladyka also noted the fruitful cooperation of the author's team with the specialists of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the publishing house «Prosveshchenie».
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Professor A.V. Shchipkov, the head of the author's team, noted that the fundamental methodological difference of the This textbook differs from similar textbooks used in general education schools in that it is the first to be built on traditionalist principles. By tradition, the authors understand the mechanism of transmission from generation to generation of the collective social experience of the people in historical Russia; cultural, religious, scientific, political, military, and so on. This understanding implies the perception of tradition not as a certain era, static ritual or habit, but as a cultural and moral contract of generations, as a way of transmitting the way of thinking, the way of social behavior.
The task of this textbook is to show students that tradition is the main social asset of the Russian people, which ensures the preservation of its historical destiny and sovereignty. A.V. Shchipkov emphasized that the essence of man is not exhausted by either biological, political-economic, or technological factors. Therefore, this textbook examines social processes in their aspiration to the ideal, that is, within the framework of vertical spiritual, rather than utilitarian horizontal dynamics of development. According to the authors of the textbook, knowledge in the field of social sciences as the course «Social Science» must to be combined with those moral guidelines, with those traditional values that are inherent in Orthodoxy and all traditional religions of our Motherland.
Director of the Russian Expert School, Associate Professor of MGIMO, Doctor of Philosophy V.A. Shchipkov said that before writing the textbook, the authors studied about 80 percent of previously published textbooks on social studies, and in all of them the liberal-Marxist model of describing society, where values are treated as a derivative of social relations. The authors have abandoned this model and constructed the material in such a way as to show the traditional approach to Russian society, which implies that the sphere of culture, i.e., the sphere of traditional Russian values, and not just the behavioral patterns of certain social groups, is recognized as the key to society. Russian society is based on interpersonal and intergenerational solidarity, and Russian public institutions are based on a specific cultural and historical foundation rather than on averaged globalist standards. The entire structure of this textbook is guided by this approach.
Chairman of the State Duma Committee for the Development of Civil Society, Public and Religious Associations O.V. Timofeeva thanked the authors of the manual for The work done, because the war is going on on all fronts, and the war for children's minds is the most serious and long-lasting, and when there is a manual that can provide important knowledge in a clear language, it is invaluable.
Vice-President of GC «Prosveshchenie» K.D. Chistyakov emphasized that the published textbook by its structure, amount of information, systematic presentation of material corresponds to a full-fledged school textbook. It offers 160 teaching schemes, many excerpts from laws, more than 50 biographies of famous figures. «Special attention is paid to group work, and since social studies is the leading subject for the Unified State Exam, the new textbook will help schoolchildren in preparation» — noted K.D. Chistyakov.
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Professor M.N. Lazutova, Doctor of Historical Sciences, member of the Public Chamber of Moscow, drew the attention of those present to the importance of working on the new textbook of representatives of secular science along with spiritual leaders.
Doctor of Historical Sciences, teacher of the Russian Orthodox University of St. John the Theologian V.E. Bagdasaryan named the value characteristics of the new textbook, highlighting the main drawback of previous textbooks: «Social Studies is the main worldview course. However, children wanted to teach in the notorious paradigm of maximizing profit while minimizing costs, without education and values. Now I see that my colleagues in the new textbook have raised the main questions that social studies should answer: what is good and evil, and this is the main thing, from which social construction begins; what is a human being, who are we, what is our identity, where did we come from, where did the Russian land, our genesis, our history come from; who are our enemies, what are the limits of tolerance, and so on?
Deputy of the State Duma N.P. Nikolaev proposed to present a new textbook «Social Studies» for 10-11 classes of Orthodox grammar schools at one of the meetings of the interfactional deputy group for the protection of Christian values and to include this textbook in the Federal list of textbooks.
In conclusion, A.V. Shchipkov presented the author's team: V.A. Alexandrov, E.A. Belzhelarsky, A.M. Maler, N.A. Shchipkov, E.A. Grigoriev and thanked colleagues from the publishing house «Prosveshchenie», noting that the staff of the publishing house — are excellent scientists and methodologists, not just technical performers.
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Vice President of GC «Prosveshchenie» K.D. Chistyakov, in turn, said that the print run is fully ready, online store is functioning, all the issues with the delivery of teaching aids have been worked out.
Metropolitan Evgeny of Ekaterinburg and Verkhotursk congratulated those present on the upcoming Christmas of the Blessed Virgin Mary and concluded the meeting with a common prayer.
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