Acta Politica Polonica

Contemporary reality, characterized by dynamic social changes and technological acceleration, requires a redefinition of teaching processes in higher education, especially in the field of social sciences. Traditional teaching methods, often based on passive reception of knowledge, have proven insufficient in the face of student expectations and labor market requirements.The implementation of the Polish Qualifications Framework (PRK) has further implied a fundamental change in the role of the academic teacher, who has evolved from being the sole source of knowledge to a facilitator and inspirer of independent learning among students. The research objective of the article is to examine the role of activating teaching methods in increasing the effectiveness of education, developing students’ practical skills, and enhancing their involvement in the learning process. Particular attention was paid to the specific application of these methods in the courses “State Studies” and “Political Systems,” in the context of developing students’ cognitive activity and preparing them to operate effectively in a dynamically changing world. The research methodology is based on a critical analysis of the literature on the subject, including publications in the fields of academic didactics, pedagogy, and social sciences. A synthesis and compilation of existing research and observations on the effectiveness of various teaching strategies are carried out. The methodology is supplemented by the author’s many years of experience in teaching the subjects “State Studies” and “Political Systems,” which provided an empirical context for the presented analyses. The research findings indicate that the systematic use of activating teaching methods in the teaching of social sciences significantly contributes to increasing the effectiveness of education. These methods not only promote the development of students’ practical skills, but also intensify their involvement in the learning process. With regard to the subjects “State Studies” and “Political Systems,” the analysis confirmed that modern teaching approaches play a key role in stimulating students’ cognitive activity and preparing them for the challenges of the modern world.