THE ROLE OF THE DISCIPLINE “HISTORY OF RUSSIAN LITERATURE OF THE 19TH CENTURY” IN HUMANITIES EDUCATION

Abstract

The work examines the role of humanitarian education in teaching the history of 19th-century Russian literature, emphasizing its importance for shaping a well-rounded personality. It is stressed that studying the classical works of this period goes beyond merely conveying factual knowledge about the lives and works of writers. The primary goal is seen as developing students’ critical thinking, ability to perform deep textual analysis, formation of a personal standpoint, and understanding of the complex socio-historical context of an era imbued with humanistic ideas. The authors argue that 19th-century literature serves as a powerful tool for fostering spiritual and moral values, emotional responsiveness, and empathy. The study provides a detailed examination of the set of methodological approaches used to achieve these aims. These include traditional lectures and seminars, in-depth analysis of literary texts with identification of symbolism and stylistic features, comparative study of works by different authors and movements, as well as active use of interactive and innovative formats: discussions, problem-posing questions, project-based activities, creative assignments (essays, reviews), visualizations, and even theatrical elements. Special attention is paid to interdisciplinary links with history, philosophy, and cultural studies, as well as to the potential of digital resources for expanding access to materials and facilitating interaction. Research results demonstrate that a well-structured course in the history of 19th-century Russian literature contributes not only to the mastery of cultural heritage but also to the development of key competencies: analytical and abstract thinking, reasoned expression of one’s position, dialogue skills, tolerance, reflection, and comparison of different viewpoints. The discussion emphasizes that such an approach transforms literature teaching into an educational mission, building students’ worldview capital. Literature emerges as a space for self-discovery and reflection on eternal moral and philosophical questions (freedom, responsibility, good and evil) relevant in any era, enabling students to draw parallels between the past and the present and thus fostering civic engagement and responsibility.