Heroes and antiheroes of Russian history in the focus of forming new approaches in education

Aim. To formulate the principles of necessary changes in the content and methodology of the national history course for school education.

Methodology. A comparison of the state historical policy in the field of education and the representation of heroes in the course of history with the realities and challenges of the current historical situation for Russia was carried out; an analysis of significant research approaches to the problems of historical education, social memory and manipulation of consciousness was conducted. The research applied such methods as historical-genetic, comparative-historical and historical-systemic.

Results. The fundamental discrepancy between the existing and the planted pantheon of national heroes in Russian historical education with the interests of Russia’s national security has been revealed. Dissonances and conflicts have been established in the set of personalities presented to the Russian schoolchildren as national heroes and role models. A fundamental conclusion is made about the need for a clear formulation of the national heroes pantheon, a clear indication of antiheroes in order to introduce certainty and form an apparent list of values into Russian young citizens’ consciousness.

Research implications. The information accumulated and appropriately interpreted in the article, its conclusions and recommendations obtained from the analysis can be used in several ways. In particular, for conducting further scientific research on topical issues of Russian education. Also, to develop and implement practical measures to change both the content and methodology of the school course of the domestic history in line with the protection of the long-term interests of Russia as an original civilizational subject in world history, to form a creative patriotic worldview among a generation of young Russians.

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