THE SYSTEM OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION’S HIGHER EDUCATION: STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE CURRENT STATE

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17072/2218-1067-2026-1-127-140

Keywords:

institutionalization of political science, higher education, political science education, identity of a political scientist, political socialization, political science, educational programs

Abstract

The article compares the curricula of political science programs at universities in the Russian Federation as part of the institutionalization of the discipline, previously addressed mainly in public and expert discussions. Using a categorization of academic disciplines and analyzing workload proportions in 64 specialized higher education programs for 2024 students, the authors apply k-means cluster analysis. Key training profiles – methodological analysis, political management, political analysis, fundamental humanitarian training, international relations, and history – were identified. A significant proportion of specialized political science disciplines in all clusters may determine the existing diversity of professional trajectories of political scientists. Comparing curricula with departmental profiles highlights the role of structural units in shaping specific profiles. The different approaches to the formation of a political scientist's competencies are the result of the response of scientific and expert teams of universities to the search for a balance between classical humanitarian training and demands from the labor market, which is based on their own understanding of specialists. The study complements the discussion on the institutionalization of political science in Russia and offers an original view on the analysis of the current state of the system of creation, reproduction, and transmission of political knowledge

Author Biographies

Nikita Zaripov, State Academic University of Humanities, Moscow, Russia.

PhD Student, Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia; Junior Researcher

Artem Myasnikov, State Academic University of Humanities, Moscow, Russia

PhD Student, Faculty of Political Science, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory Researcher

Anastasia Torgud, State Academic University of Humanities, Moscow, Russia.

Research Assistant, International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development, HSE University, Moscow, Russia; Laboratory Researcher

Andrey Koshkin, State Academic University of Humanities, Moscow, Russia.

Assistant Professor of the Department of Economic Theory, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia; Junior Researcher

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Published

2026-04-15

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Zaripov Н. А., Myasnikov А. И., Torgud А. И., & Koshkin А. В. (2026). THE SYSTEM OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION’S HIGHER EDUCATION: STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE CURRENT STATE. Bulletin of Perm University. Political Science, 20(1), 127–140. https://doi.org/10.17072/2218-1067-2026-1-127-140

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Vol. 20 No. 1 (2026): Bulletin of Perm University. Political Science

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