The Problem of Formation of Historical Consciousness of Contemporary Russian Society in the Context of a New Communicative Situation

Abstract

DOI 10.18522/2072-0181-2015-30-36 The purpose of article is to analyze basic research approaches to the learning formation process of historical consciousness in the context of new communicative situation which was made by modern media. The article deals with the problems of scientific debates about the factors and mechanisms of mass historical consciousness formation, the ratio of scientific and public discourses of historical knowledge and about the media space of historical knowledge. It is noted that the high degree of actualization of this problem is related to the fact that the historical consciousness, historical memory play an important role in the individual and collective identity formation, they are particular important for the constitution and the integration of social groups in the present, and they ensure the fulfillment of number of other social functions. It is said that a significant portion scientists continue to study historical consciousness in the approach, which was founded in the late 90s – early 2000s. Under this approach, the historical consciousness of the post-Soviet and modern Russian society is characterized as a crisis consciousness of mythological type. Many Russian researchers see mythologisation picture of the past mass historical consciousness as a result of the active influence of the state on the historical sphere. In the article were identifi ed different positions on the revitalization of the state policy in the fi eld of historical knowledge. The article defines the prospects of utilizing methodological tools of humanities related disciplines (particularly communication studies). This article shows high epistemological potential of “media space” concept which is important for analyzing mythologization processes of mass historical consciousness of Russian society. There is a conclusion that new media actualize the new stage of development of socio-cultural forms of modern society reproduction of archaic consciousness, and therefore form the mythological picture of the past in the public consciousness.