Abstract:

Modern leading world universities organize the learning process in the context of globalization and internationalization. Education of students is conducted not only taking into account national traditions of education, but also world trends. In this regard, it is relevant to determine the general attitudes when studying such disciplines as the history of religions, and discussing the world religious situation within the framework of other humanitarian disciplines. The study of the dialogue of Churches in modern international relations, the activities of sects, including radical ones, the dissemination of diverse non-traditional spiritual teachings in various countries of the world, is becoming a mandatory component of modern higher education.

It is obvious that acquaintance of students with the modern religious situation is an important element in shaping a critical approach to information, respecting the cultures of the peoples of the world, the stability of life values, the ability to resist aggressive religious and sectarian propaganda.

Modern approaches to the teaching of religious studies in Russia are determined by both state institutions and university ones. The range of religious issues that are discussed in the classroom at universities is expanding. A constructive discussion of the methods of teaching courses that affect contemporary religious issues is needed.

Objectives:
The purpose of this article is to study the experience of teaching humanitarian disciplines in the secular universities of Russia on the history of various religions (Peoples' Friendship University of Russia as a case study) affecting the touching on the contemporary religious problems.

Methodology:
Methodologically, this article is based on office and methodological materials of universities, as well as lecturers’ individual studies of RUDN teachers.
Using a systematic approach, the article analyses the methodology of humanitarian courses teaching on the history of various religions, taking into account the external state order, and internal order, i.e. cognitive requests of students. The comparative method enables to compare the features of the methodology for studying religious problems at seminars in the framework of various training courses. The author used a retrospective method that allowed us to consider the difference in the teaching of courses in bachelor’s and master’s course students on the study-field "History".

Results:
The author concludes that modern humanitarian education in Russia presupposes compulsory teaching of disciplines on the history of religions both at the undergraduate level and at the master's level. Universities that are oriented towards international cooperation have in their curricula more disciplines on the history of confessions. The author notes that at the undergraduate level, students usually study general courses on the history of religions, and at the master's level, special courses are already taught, such as: "History of religions in Russia in the XX – early XXI centuries", "Ethics of World Religions" and others. Within the framework of special courses, topical religious problems are touched on, in particular, issues of interfaith dialogue, sectarianism. Organising classes for master’s students, discussing problematic topics, the innovative forms of seminars are used, which allow students to form an active interest in the problems and a desire to take an active part in solving them.

Keywords:

Confessions, religions, the dialogue of Churches, modern international relations, sects, university teaching.