Comparing Curricula in Law and Using Innovation Lawyer Training Techniques: Kazakhstan and Russian Experience

Abstract

The major distinctive features of today’s universities include the ability to generate knowledge and
provide an efficient training system for top qualification human resources which in its turn, requires improved academic curricula and extended use of innovation techniques in the training process. Currently,
one of the drivers that shapes high quality education is represented by the efficient academic activities
that involve the use of innovation techniques. The article provides a comparative analysis of curricula in
law in Kazakh and Russian institutions of higher education to identify the approaches to improvement of
the training offered to future lawyers, while describing the importance of innovation techniques in training students seeking a degree in law, aimed at higher training efficiency. The key criteria relied on in the
comparative analysis include reviewing the academic content and mandatory disciplines studied at the
university level, as well as the choices made by students. The scientific novelty of the research work is in
studying the peculiar features of the curricula for a bachelor degree course in Legal Studies, Law, as exemplified by Kazakh and Russian universities. The research findings suggest that the universal academic
process, wherein special attention is paid to improved curricula in law, as well as to the extended use of
innovation techniques, may significantly increase training efficiency.
Key words: curriculum, universal academic process, innovation techniques, legal education.