Can a textbook bring up a patriot? (Reflections on the upbringing potential of a Russian language textbook)

Abstract

The paper considers the upbringing potential of a Russian language textbook, namely the formation of the qualities of citizenship and patriotism in school students. The relevance of the study is determined by the necessity to overcome the spiritual crisis in society as well as by the return of upbringing to school and the implementation of the new «Tentative Program of Upbringing» and the third generation FSES. In accordance with the two documents, upbringing becomes an obligatory part of the teaching process. The paper aims to examine those textbooks on the Russian language that are included in the federal list. This analysis evaluates the potential of such textbooks for patriotic education. The employed methods include theoretical analysis of research literature, analysis of normative documents, and content analysis of five textbooks for fifth-form school students. The presence and absence of materials promoting patriotic education in the textbooks was chosen as criteria for analysis. The materials in question include 1) information about Russian as an official language; 2) statements about the Russian language; 3) representation of Russian symbols; 4) language units comprising the nominative field of the concept «motherland»; 5) exercises revealing the multifaceted image of Russia. The study has identified specific gaps in the content of the textbooks, especially with respect to criteria three and four. The data presented in the paper can serve as a basis for updating textbooks as well as for the work of those teachers who focus on promoting the values associated with patriotism among their students.