Abstract:

Objectives:
The purpose of this article is to study the experience of teaching philosophical, historical and political science disciplines in secular universities in Russia (using the example of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia), touching upon the issues of spiritual self-identification, including the search for religious identity at the beginning of the 20th century. The choice of this topic during lectures and seminars is especially relevant when humanity is looking for forms of response to modern social challenges, including the Coronovirus epidemic, large-scale population migrations, environmental problems, and geopolitical transformations. Paying attention of students to the historical experience of previous centuries, when mankind was looking for a model for getting out of critical situations, is important for the formation of a critical attitude to reality and an active civic position among the younger generation.

Methodology:
Methodologically, this article is based on methodological materials of universities, as well as practical author's developments of RUDN University teachers, including lecture courses, systems of assignments at seminars.
With the help of a systematic approach, the article analyzes the methodology of teaching certain topics of courses in philosophy, history and political science, touching upon the topic of the spiritual choice of society in times of crisis. The comparative method made it possible to compare the peculiarities of the methodology for considering this problem in practical classes in universities both in the context of studying global trends in spiritual development and considering the features of intellectual search in Russia.

Results:
The author concludes that modern liberal arts education in Russia presupposes the obligatory study of the issues of the spiritual choice of society, based on the example of the situation in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. These problems are considered both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The author notes that at the undergraduate level, students usually study general courses in Russian history and philosophy. At the master's level, these problems are touched upon in special courses on the history of Russian philosophy, history of religions, ethics. During the classes, students get acquainted with the work of V.V. Rozanov, D.S. Merezhkovsky, E.N. Trubetskoy, S.N. Bulgakov, P.A. Florensky, N.A. Berdyaev and other Russian philosophers of the early 20th century. Students reflect on the degree of influence of traditional religious values; works of F. M. Dostoevsky, K. N. Leontiev, V. S. Soloviev; new fashionable extrachurch teachings of the early 20th century on the spiritual concepts of thinkers. An interactive discussion by students of this topic allows them to form a critical attitude to the problems of modern society, is designed to help young people find spiritual support in the rapidly changing modern world.

Keywords:

Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, decadence, spiritual crisis, religious identification, Russian philosophy.