The place and the role of the intelligentsia studies in the system of social and humane sciences

The article examines the peculiarities of the intelligentsia studies as a science, its origin and development, its integration character and its connection with other disciplines and with ideology. The author dwells on the relation between the concepts of intelligentsia, intellectuals and creative class, distinguishes the structure, object and goals of the science, the diversity and inconsistency of its research methods. The author concludes about the significance and prospects of the intelligentsia studies.