Students and superintendents: from “family style” to moral and political supervision (based on materials of Pedagogical Institute and St. Petersburg University of 1800s - 1850s)

Introduction. The authors attempt to trace the evolution of relations between students and superintendents based on archival materials of Pedagogical Institute and St. Petersburg University. Methods. The research is carried out within the framework of the systems approach using historical methods to determine the specifics of the power relations in Russian universities in the first half of the 19th century. Analysis and results. University relationships were changed under the influence of social and political factors, the evolution of the organizational foundations of the university. The relations of students and a superintendent, who was initially chosen from professors, were of a “patriarchal” nature, and the small size of the university community and its isolation from the urban life of Saint Petersburg contributed to the design of a special “family style” of communication. With the increase in the number of students, it becomes necessary to clarify the legal boundaries of student freedom and strengthen police supervision. A detailed system of norms and prohibitions was legislated, and supervision of its implementation was entrusted to a superintendent, who was elected from civilian or military officials. Excessive strengthening of disciplinary supervision of students ended in all sorts of conflicts between students and superintendents.