Challenges of the Faculty of Theology of the Colonial Javeriana Uni-versity. Bogotá, 1612–1767

Abstract

In 1605, two studies of Grammar were opened at the Javeriana University, and so were the courses of Philosophy, in 1609; the courses of Scholastic Theology and Moral Theology were opened in 1612; around 1613, the chair of Indian Language, and the chair of Vespers, toward 1616; the professorship of Medicine in 1636; the Studies of Canons and Law, in 1706; and the chair of Holy Scripture was opened in 1722.

The teaching staff was integrated by: The Rector, the Chancellor, the secretary, the two Prefects, the Professors of Prima Theologia, and the ones of Vespers, of Moral, of Arts, of Holy Scripture; the teachers of Humanities (The two Professors, and the Director of the Seminary of Human Letters), the one of Chibcha; and in the XVIII century, three professors of Civil Law and Canon Law were added. In the Javeriana’s classrooms instruction was received by an important part of the human capital, religious and social, of what was going to become the Viceroyalty. Moreover, the University was always kept as an open window to the intellectual currents coming from Europe, and at the same time it was a centre for the promotion of ideas, books and concerns for the improvement of civic virtues and the community of thought. We have inserted in the Appendix the “Bibliography of the professors of Prima Theologia”, as an expression of the challenge which means to analyze so many unpublished documents”.