New University Course “History of Religions in Russia": Not Only a General Educational Discipline, But Also an Element of Cultural, Educational and Scientific Diplomacy” (Analyzing First Results of Teaching the Course in English to Foreign Students)

This article represents an attempt to make an unprecedented comprehensive analysis of the first experience of teaching the academic English-language course “History of Religions in Russia” to foreign students of Russian higher education institutions. The object of the proposed research is the educational and methodological complex for the above mentioned discipline, which is currently being tested at the RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba, with the participation of the first year bachelor’s degree students of English-language educational programs - both of humanitarian and technical profiles. The major purpose of the study is to generalize and systematize the methodical, methodological, organizational, technical and other relevant features of the process of introduction of this subject into the curriculum. The study uses general and special scientific methods: generalization and classification, deduction and induction, analysis of administrative, regulatory and other documents. The main novelty of the research lies in the implementation of a previously unconducted analysis of the empirical results of teaching a new general education course launched for foreign students only in the fall of 2024. The practical significance of the article is comprised of providing other Russian universities and institutes planning to begin teaching the researched discipline with the opportunity to use the materials developed by RUDN University, which among higher education institutions in Russia has actually become a pioneer in teaching English-language course of “History of Religions in Russia” to foreigners. It will also be instrumental in giving new impetus to the measures taken by Russian high-schools in order to expand the export of national education abroad.

History of Religions in Russia, religious education, interreligious dialogue, new education course development, teaching foreign students, scientific diplomacy, educational diplomacy, adaptation of the conceptual framework, Russian mentality, interfaith dialogue