JESUIT COLLEGES IN EUROPE: A MODEL OF EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING

Abstract

The article attempts to analyse the educational concept of Jesuit colleges - educational institutions of the Society of Jesus. Founded in 1534 by Ignatius of Loyola, the Jesuit order performed not only the spiritual functions entrusted to it by the Catholic Church, but also carried out a wide range of secular activities, including educational ones. It is found that due to high standards of education quality, innovative pedagogical approaches and a developed system of education, Jesuit colleges quickly established a reputation as leading educational institutions throughout Europe and far beyond.The historical conditions for the emergence of Jesuit colleges in Western Europe are considered. It is noted that in the early modern period the need for educated personnel increased dramatically. This was due to the development of centralised states, bureaucracy, the judiciary and other state institutions. At the same time, the growth of the urban population led to a demand for affordable and high-quality education. Simultaneously with the profound religious transformations that swept Europe during the Reformation, the Jesuits saw education as one of the most effective tools for influencing the younger generation, which had to be brought up in a religious spirit. In relation to these changes, Jesuit colleges became centres for the formation of a new elite – not only spiritual but also secular. It is shown that the formation of the Jesuit pedagogical system, unique in its content, is inextricably linked to the galaxy of prominent representatives of the Jesuit monastic order – Ignatius Loyola, José de Acosta, Jacob Balde, Athanasius Kircher, who enriched pedagogical thought with new ideas and approaches.The methodology of studies in Jesuit colleges is characterised. It is found that a special role in the educational process was given to the formation of internal motivation for learning and self-improvement, as well as the education of high moral responsibility for their actions. The teaching methods in Jesuit colleges were innovative for that time. It was deliberately aimed at fully involving students in the process of learning new things. Jesuit teachers actively used a variety of interactive teaching methods, such as public discussions, debates on actual issues, instructive and interesting theatre performances, writing essays and poems in exquisite Latin.It is shown that the Jesuit model of education has had a significant impact on the development of schooling in Europe. Many educational institutions in different countries borrowed and adapted the Jesuits’ progressive pedagogical approaches. Some of them remain relevant and are widely implemented in modern schools to this day.