University of Seville

University of Seville
Universidad de Sevilla

Seal of the University of Seville
Type Public
Established 1505
Students 73,350
Location Seville, Andalucia, Spain
Affiliations PEGASUS
Website Official Website
University's main building

The University of Seville (Universidad de Sevilla) is a university in Seville, Spain. Founded under the name of Colegio Santa María de Jesús in 1505, it has a present student body of over 65,000, and is one of the top-ranked universities in the country. Seville is the 2000-year-old artistic, cultural, and financial capital of Andalusia in southern Spain. During the growth of the Spanish Empire (16th to 18th century) it was considered the capital of Spain, particularly because Seville is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir from whence many expeditions to America departed.

History

The University of Seville dates to the 15th century when the Catholic Monarchs recovered the area from the Moors. Created by Archdeacon Maese Rodrigo Fernandez de Santaella, it was originally called Colegio de Santa Maria de Jesus, and was confirmed as a practicing university in 1505 by the papal bull of Pope Julius II. Today, the University of Seville is known for research in technology and science.[1]

In the middle of the 13th century, the Dominicans, in order to prepare missionaries for work among the Moors and Jews, organised schools for the teaching of Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek. To cooperate in this work and to enhance the prestige of Seville, Alfonso the Wise in 1254 established "general schools" (escuelas generales) of Arabic and Latin in Seville. Alexander IV recognized this foundation as a generale litterarum studium by the Papal Bull of 21 June 1260 and granted its members certain dispensations in the matter of residence. Later, the cathedral chapter established ecclesiastical studies in the College of San Miguel. Rodrigo de Santaello, archdeacon of the cathedral and commonly known as Maese Rodrigo, began the construction of a building for a university in 1472; in 1502 the Catholic Monarchs published the royal decree creating the university, and in 1505 Julius II granted the Bull of authorization; in 1509 the college of Maese Rodrigo was finally installed in its own building, under the name of Santa María de Jesús, but its courses were not opened until 1516. The Catholic Monarchs and the pope granted the power to confer degrees in logic, philosophy, theology, and canon and civil law. The colegio mayor de Maese Rodrigo and the university proper, although housed in the same building, never lost their separate identities, as is shown by the fact that, in the 18th century, the university was moved to the College of San Hermanegildo, while that of Maese Rodrigo remained independent, although languishing.[2]

Influence

The influence of the University of Seville, from the ecclesiastical point of view, was considerable, though not equal to that of the Universities of Salamanca and of Alcalá. Renowned alumni include Sebastián Antonio de Cortés, Riquelme, Rioja, Luis Germán y Ribón, founder of the Horatian Academy, Juan Sánchez, professor of mathematics at San Telmo, Martín Alberto Carbajal, Cardinal Belluga, Cardinal Francisco Solis Folch, Marcelo Doye y Pelarte, Bernardo de Torrijos, Francisco Aguilar Ribon, the Abate Marchena, Alberto Lista, and many others who shone in the magistracy, or were distinguished ecclesiastics. The University of Seville had a great influence on the development of the fine arts in Spain. In its shadow the school of the famous master Juan de Mal Lara was founded, and intellects like those of Herrera, Arguijo, and many others were developed, while literary and artistic clubs were formed, like that of Pacheco, which was a school for both painting and poetry. During the period of secularization and sequestration (1845–57) the University of Seville passed into the control of the State and received a new organization.

At the same time that the royal university was established, the Universidad de Mareantes (university of sea-farers) was developed. Here, the Catholic Monarchs established the Casa de Contratación by a royal decree of 1503, with classes for pilots and seamen, and courses in cosmography, mathematics, military tactics, and artillery. This establishment was of incalculable importance, for it was here that the expeditions to the Indies were organised, and the great Spanish mariners were educated. This form of polytechnic school, which, according to Eden, Bourné, and Humboldt, had taught a great deal to Europe, fell into decay in the 17th century, following the fortunes of Spanish science. [3]

Equality, liberty, justice and pluralism

The university enjoys the independence afforded by self-governance, which gives it a certain flexibility that may work to advantage in the hiring of professors and lecturers. The ancient motto of the university is: "Equality, Liberty, Justice and Pluralism". The university's stated mission is to educate students who will do the research and development necessary to scientific and technological innovation. This is reflected in the number of degrees offered; students attending the university have a choice of 65 different subjects and one of the widest ranges of academic and sporting facilities in Spain, making it a popular university for both Spanish and international students. In 2004 it had 73,350 students spread on different campuses, being second in number of students among Spanish universities.

Campus internationalisation

Since 1994, North American exchange students have been able to take classes taught by University of Seville faculty members in Spanish in the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Geography and History. As of Fall 2009, the university has agreements with 15 international organizations including the Council on International Educational Exchange, the College Consortium for International Studies, International Studies Abroad, SUNY New Paltz and Wells College.[4] and St. John's University.[5] The University of Seville has had a partnership with the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University since 2015.

Organization

Economy and Business School (Facultad de Economía y Empresariales)

The University of Seville comprises:

The main building of the University of Seville is known as the "Old Tobacco Factory", named for its original use. Built in the 18th century, Seville's tobacco factory was the largest industrial building in the world at the time and remained a tobacco factory until the 1950s. This beautiful building is also the setting for the renowned opera, Carmen, by Bizet. Carmen was a fictional worker in the tobacco factory, the original story being a novella by Prosper Mérimée. This building houses two of the university's faculties: the School of Literature and Philology, and the School of Geography and History.

Facade of the building of the Rectorate of the University of Sevilla.

Other campuses and faculties are located throughout Seville, including the Health Science schools in La Macarena, the Business School in Nervion, the Engineering School and School of Communications in La Cartuja and the Languages Institute (Instituto de Idiomas) and Science Schools in Reina Mercedes.

Library

The library holds about 777,000 volumes.[6]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ Historia Archived December 20, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ The Catholic Encyclopedia: Revelation - Simon Stock. 13. Encyclopedia Press. 1913. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: University of Seville". Newadvent.org. 1912-02-01. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ "Seville, Spain". Stjohns.edu. 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  6. ↑ "Libraries and museums - Spain". Nationsencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
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Coordinates: 37°22′48″N 5°59′30″W / 37.3801°N 5.9916°W / 37.3801; -5.9916

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