Focolare Movement

New Master’s Degree Courses at Sophia University Institute (SUI)

Mar 31, 2017

Economic and Political Sciences and Trinitarian Ontology are added to Culture of Unity courses. Interdisciplinary and specialization courses, intercultural dialogue and innovation.

IUSTen years from its founding, Sophia University Institute expands from one course on Fundamentals and Prospectives of a Culture of Unity, to three distinct Master’s Degrees: Economic & Political Sciences, and Trinitarian Ontology & Culture of Unity. A programme that offers young people from around the world, an inter-discplinary and trans-disciplinary education focused on innovative sectors of social and civil economy, communion, participatory policies and their relationship to theology and philosophy. “With the addition of the new academic titles, Economic and Political Sciences and Trinitarian Ontology,” president of Sophia University Institute, Piero Coda, says that “Sophia offers students an academic degree which joins together the unitarian sense of the human adventure with a scientific degree that contributes to the total development of the individual and society.”   Benedetto Gui, Coordinator of the Economy and Management Department, adds: “Among the novelties is the addition of the English language for several of the courses in the Economic and Political Sciences Degree programme.” He continues: “In an age when young people don’t have the courage to propose ideals to live by, Sophia seeks to found its vision of the world on a deep-rooted respect for the human person, including his or her culture, religion and views – and to look towards a world without hatred, war, oppression exlusion, or superiority over others. In the field of economics this doesn’t mean having a recipe ready to be imposed, but looking beyond today’s dominant reductive vision of economics and economic realtions, even though scientific reasearch is demonstrating the inadequacy of such a vision.” The students at Sophia come from 30 countries and belong to different religions. The Institute offers them a course of study that joins learning – through listening, discussing, reading, attending lectures – to real life. Applying the logic of openness to others as the very method for approaching learning which creates community life in the classroom, corriders and residences where students have an extraordinary intercultural experience. Gui continues: “What we strive to bring about together with the students is, on the one hand, the acquisition of those skills that one would expect to find in any graduate in the field of economics and, on the other hand, a deeper understanding of that economic vision which I mentioned before, through the examination of new lines of research and contact with economic projects that put that vision into practice . . . topics that are often neglected in university settings.” Once they’ve completed their studies, how do the students approach the work world? “Recruiters are well aware that knowledge of the subject is not enough to make a young person a valid member of an organisation. The ability to dialogue with the bearers of other types of knowledge is also necessary, knowing how to collaborate and to assume responsibilities. Our experience thus far has shown us that our students are appreciated not only for their academic preparation, but also for other skills that the experience at Sophia is particularly adept at developing in people. Be careful though: Education shouldn’t be be geared towards finding a job. It should also promote the growth of the human person and develop a capacity for personal and group intitiative which is also a precious contribution towards society.”

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