POLITICAL CULTURE OF STUDENT YOUTH IN THE CONTEXT OF A COMPETENT APPROACH

Abstract

The article deals with a theoretical analysis of the concept of political culture of student youth based on a competence approach. It has been noted that modern changes, which are connected with the introduction of competent,  student-centered approach to the formation of specialists in higher education institutions, certainly have an effect on the formation of student’s political and civic culture.

The question of correlation between the concepts of “political culture” and “civil culture” has been discussed and the qualitative characteristics of these phenomena as “political competence” and “civil competence” in the context of different directions of their scientific study have been outlined as following: sociological analysis of the current state of political culture; an approach based on the study of the interconnections and interaction of mentality and political culture; understanding of political culture as a sphere of interaction between politics, culture and morals; a symbolic approach; a competent approach. The implementation of the latter to the study of the political culture of student youth is directly related to the application of the category of political socialization in the field of education. It is indicated that in a dynamic innovation and information society it is advisable to talk about a combination of the key skills that are needed both for an effective employee and a responsible citizen. Therefore, effective formation of civic competence in institutions of higher education is a significant factor in the successful political socialization of student youth.

A number of problems have been identified that explicate the use of a competent approach to the analysis of the student’s political culture: the distinction between the concepts of “civil competence” and “political competence”, which are integral characteristics of the political culture of student youth; definition of key variables for the characterization of these competencies; discussion of the logic of the causal link between acquired knowledge and student skills and democratic functioning.

The question of identifying key variables for the characterization of the identified competencies has been considered. A certain consensus has emerged between researchers regarding mentioned variables such as: interest, awareness (knowledge), self-efficacy (political or civic), motivation related to attitudes (to political or civic institutions), and participation (political or civic). The conclusion has been drawn on the expediency of using cognitive, value, motivational, emotional and evaluative, reflexive, behavioral criteria for studying the level of political culture of student youth.