The concept and practice of the study circle appeared in the late nineteenth century. Narodnaya Volya, a Russian populist organisation, made extensive use of them in the 1870s. The concept was taken up by the Georgian (Georgia (country)) Social Democrat group Mesame Dasi in the 1890s. A youthful Joseph Stalin was involved in leading some of these.
# International Practice
# Modern Practice
Today, with the growth of the internet, virtual study circles are possible, but the original model of face-to-face communication and real-world, rather than virtual, interaction retains its wide appeal.
Study circles are also being employed as a change process and development activity within corporations. Some of the same ideas and concepts of community study circles can be applied to internal issues such as diversity (Multiculturalism), race relations and community-focused giving.