Legal Pedagogy as an Important Field of Pedagogical Science

Abstract

Legal pedagogy occupies a vital place within pedagogical science by examining how educational principles intersect with legal norms to foster a law-based society. This article traces the historical emergence of legal pedagogy from early pedagogical measures in 16th-century law-enforcement agencies through its evolution as a distinct academic discipline. It defines the object (legal environment and order) and subject (pedagogical mechanisms in legal contexts) of legal pedagogy, and outlines its core tasks: historical analysis, methodological development, applied research in law enforcement, and the creation of pedagogical technologies. A central focus is legal socialization—the process whereby individuals internalize legal values—whose components include legal education, upbringing, training, and development. By detailing each component’s aims, outcomes, and manifestations in individual legal culture, the article demonstrates how legal pedagogy bridges theory and practice to strengthen both citizens’ legal consciousness and the rule of law. The discussion underscores the field’s interdisciplinary roots in general pedagogy, social pedagogy, and didactics, and highlights its ongoing relevance for contemporary challenges in law education and enforcement.