Formation of competencies’ elements as a component of learning in the higher educational institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service

Introduction. In the modern sociocultural situation the focus is made on the problem of moral development and cultural self-identity of future specialists of defence and law enforcement ministries. The cultivating of aesthetic needs and skills is necessary to enhance the current behaviour pattern during the service, in future penitentiary officers in particular. Formation of aesthetic skills as elements of general cultural competencies is viewed in the context of learning at higher educational institutions of the penitentiary system. Materials and Methods. The research is based on the method of modelling the fact of literary staging of a certain historical situation. The literary performance on F. M. Dostoevsky’s works involved 120 cadets (first- and second-year cadets). The event resulted in assessment of the retained knowledge in 100- point scale. Results and Discussion. The experimental study of innovative learning methods enabled the author to reveal the most effective means of extra-curricular work adjusted to the specific educational environment of the departmental institution of the Federal Penitentiary Service. Through the situations from practical experience certain pedagogical methods of organizing extra-curricular work with the learners are proved reasonable. The assessment scale of the retained knowledge in percentage transformed into 5-point system is given. Conclusions. The need for aesthetic experience (emotions) facilitates self-development in professional activity, determination to overcome new challenges and be an example to follow. The paper comprises the elements of methodical guidance for extra-curricular studies aiming to build aesthetic skills (as the element of general cultural competencies) in cadets of departmental institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service.