The Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm and its Relevance for the Jesuit University

The article describes the seven characteristics that should identify a Jesuit university nowadays: 1) Pedagogical practices at Jesuit universities should promote authentic dialog and reconciliation; 2) Pedagogical practices at Jesuit universities should promote human excellence in every aspect of human life; 3) Pedagogical practices at Jesuit universities should promote exploration and discovery focused on and among disciplines; 4) Programs and practices at Jesuit universities should promote exploration and intercultural appreciation; 5) Jesuit universities should contribute both in theory and in practice to the promotion of justice in society as a whole and within society’s various institutions; 6) A Jesuit classroom should promote the construction of a global vision in students and professors; and 7) Internships and programs at Jesuit universities should promote authentic spiritual growth and faith development.Based on the key approaches of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) and having in view that this is not a prefabricated model ready to be applied, its particularities in higher education are contextualized in light of the reflections of the Society General Superiors.The characteristics or identifiers presented motivate educational institutions to build an identitythat responds to a long tradition of Jesuit education and constant renewal of their commitment toform leaders to heal a broken world.

Humanities Studies and Jesuit Principles of Education

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:The objective of the study is to identify key features of the concept of analysing humanitarianism and, eventually, humanity as an important sociogenic factor and its meaning for contemporary education. RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: This work focuses on recognizing the conceptual core in the humanist tradition through the analysis of the ancient and Renaissance idea of the study of humanitarianism that dominated in the educational paradigm in the period of the Renaissance humanism and in the development of Jesuit education. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The study indicates interpretative inconsistency in the concept of modern humanism. Trying to explain what is unclear in the humanistic discourse, the author will, first of all, focus on the origin of the Renaissance humanism with its outdated concept of the study of humanitarianism, and then he will present the analysis of the concept of the original, ancient understanding of the study of humanitarianism in the inspiring text of the Renaissance humanistic movement Pro Archia Poeta Oration by Cicero. Finally, the author presents the connection between the analysis of humanitarianism and the Renaissance educational system of Societas Jesu, as well as the perspectives of this tradition and its influence on the present time. RESEARCH RESULTS: In the research, the author identified the ancient and Renaissance concept of studying humanitatis as a key sociogenic factor necessary for the morphogenesis of cultural identity. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS: Humanistic studies, as a lifelong process of cultivating cura personalis according to Jesuit principles, are an important condition for upgrading humanity which is characterized by the fulfillment of the moral dimension of an individual integrated with social and cultural processes of the society. The study indicates the meaning of the epideictic approach to analysing humanitarianism in its function of articulating the cultural identity of the polis.

Jesuit Upbringing as Prevention Against Fundamentalism, Bigotry and Pharisaism

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The objective of the work is presenting the pseudoreligion F hypothesis created by a Czech theologian, sociologist and philosopher Tomáš Halík. The second part of the text presents the challenges of Jesuit upbringing which can be understood as a possible strategy and prevention against the pseudoreligion F. RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS:Pseudoreligion F is a hypothesis through which Tomáš Halík interprets similarities among several pathological phenomena of the contemporary social culture as well as Christian religiosity. The key solution is the critical education and dialogue. It is the system of Jesuit education that can be understood as a tested preventive strategy. Critical analysis of the beginnings of Jesuit education shows that this is still a valid method of teaching and upbringing. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION:In the first part of the work, the pseudoreligion F hypothesis was presented, as well as some related theses. The objective of the first part is describing the sociological and philosophical criticism of contemporary religious pathologies. In the second part of the text, we will focus on the key tasks and challenges of Jesuit pedagogy. RESEARCH RESULTS:Contemporary religious pathologies threaten Christianity as they distort the ideals of the Gospel to achieve short-term goals. In the context of Christianity, such pathologies also include clericalism and, more broadly, pharisaism. Critical thinking about these issues encourages us to search for strategies that can help “extinguish the fire.” One of such strategies is integral humanist education which is also represented by Jesuit education. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS: Despite the ambiguity of this term, critical thinking is considered to be the key tool for preventing fanaticism, fundamentalism, extremism, etc. The research is to show that critical education mainly refers to the complexity and integral anthropological line. Education and Jesuit education has a rich tradition based on the Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality.

The Idea of „Depth” in Ignatian Pedagogy in Face of some Tendencies of Digital Education

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present some contradictory tendencies and draw attention to two phenomena that prove their contradiction. The first one is the missing dimension of depth of knowledge which suggests that the ubiquitous source of information and student awareness is not automatically a qualitative asset. On the other hand, the gradual digitalization of education increasingly indicates the fragmentation of such a teaching process. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The article intends to emphasize the importance of two pillars of Jesuit pedagogy, which historically date back to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and which were revived by the interpretations of two former superiors of the Society of Jesus, P. Arrupe and A. Nicholas. However, the present times seems to bring different goals in the perspective of digital media and professional profiling of the student. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The article is structured as follows. In the first part, the author presents the conclusions resulting from research and measurements conducted in Slovakia in recent years, which aimed at examining students' skills in reading comprehension and indicates the growing support for the digitalisation of education in Slovakia, which the author (and not only he) perceives as highly contradictory. On the other hand, the article makes an attempt to counter the notions: the “reference to depth” and the integrity of the human being, more and more often mentioned in the literature. RESEARCH RESULTS: The present study is to demonstrate that Jesuit pedagogical appeal to the need for “integral” development of the person and “depth” is extremely actual in this field. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS: The aim of the study is to show the need to re-develop these threads of depth and integral development of the human being, along with other pillars of Jesuit education, and rethink its message.

Integrating the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm with Buddhist-Inspired Compassion Meditation

While Ignatian pedagogy is distinctive in Jesuit education, scholarly attention on its applications is scanty. This article demonstrates the relevance of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) to compassion cultivation through showing how it integrates into a Buddhist-inspired contemplation program, Cognitively-Based Compassion Training® (CBCT®). Using a case study of a CBCT® course at a Jesuit University that developed students’ “whole person” and ethical discernment, this research analyzes how CBCT® works with the IPP’s five elements: context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation. This study evaluates participants’ changes in their emotional well-being and ethical concerns by employing psychological measurements such as the Compassionate Love for Humanity Scale. The discussion concludes by elucidating how I have adapted this integrative pedagogical method to teach an undergraduate credited course, “Buddhist Meditation and Practice.” Broadly, this study contributes to a larger conversation about how educators can create an environment that supports both cognitive and affective learning.

Japan Dramas and Shakespeare at St. Omers English Jesuit College

This essay examines how Catholics at the English Jesuit College at Saint-Omer reflected on Japanese religious politics during the 1620s and 1630s, both through translated mission reports and drama. This analysis expands scholars’ view of English encounters with Japan; it also decenters predominantly Eurocentric approaches to early modern Jesuit education and theater. The essay concludes with a discussion of Shakespeare and George Wilkins's “Pericles,” a quarto playbook of which was possessed by St. Omers and which, through the generic elements of romance it shared with the Japan material, provided further opportunities for the college's Catholics to consider transcontinental religious politics.