Introduction. The article analyzes the dynamics of approaches to the development of social activity of university students during the modernization of Russian society and educational space in the late XX– early XXI centuries.

Materials and methods. The source base of the study was the data of historical and sociological analysis of the prosocial activities of university students in the South Urals in the 1980s and 2000s. The historical-genetic method acts as the main method, which allows us to analyze in development the results and consequences of the organizational, psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of social activity of university students.

Results. The conditioned relationship between the form, content and methods of involving university students in socially active activity with a certain vector of political development of society and the dynamics of the educational space of the country and its regions is revealed.

Discussion. The formation of a socially active personality of a student in the process of studying at a university acts as one of the most important tasks of the modern system of higher education. Its effective solution requires a critical attitude to the accumulated national experience, continuity and innovations determined by the challenges of the time.

Conclusion. It is concluded that the formation of social activity of university students is achieved through partnerships between students (universities) and the state in the framework of the state youth policy, requires the unconditional balance of interests of students as a subject and object of this policy, the creation of the necessary organizational and psychological and pedagogical conditions at a particular university.

Analysis of socially oriented practices of students of universities in the South Urals in the 1980s – 2000s;

Their main forms and contents have been identified and characterized, quantitative indicators have been summarized;

The conditionality of the change in the principles and methods of involving university students in socially active activities by the modernization processes of Russian society and the educational space in the late XX – early XXI centuries was traced.

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