To the Founders of BISLA,to the First Entering Class

This is an auspicious day. Never before in the life of Slovakia has an educational institution of this sort been attempted, and I believe that its potential and significance are profound. I speak from my perspective as President and Trustee of the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation of New York City, which has been involved in higher education in the United States for over fifty years. It is my belief, and that of my colleagues in the Untied States, that the form of education that will be offered at BISLA has powerful potential to develop in students the habits of mind and spirit necessary to address the challenges and opportunities that lie before this rising nation.

What do I mean when I say this? What are the habits of mind and spirit of which I speak, habits we seek to develop in these four formative years? The first of these is a delight in intellectual challenge. What does this mean, a delight in intellectual challenge? It means that we must take pleasure in thinking for ourselves, in questioning the status quo, in searching for the internal contradictions in a proposition or in a way of doing things. It means rejecting the practice of uncritical acceptance of what others would have us believe, while nonetheless remaining respectful of tradition. Secondly, we must develop an unquenchable curiosity about the world around us, for in that curiosity we find our passions and we find new solutions to seemingly intractable problems. In the discovery and development of our passions, we find the will and determination to do the hard work of making our dreams a reality. Thirdly, we must develop a logical mind, a mind that can synthesize knowledge and perspectives and differentiate the sensible argument from the merely emotional one or from purely a belief system. Fourthly, we must develop a context in which to carry on our thinking, a world view it might be called. This last necessity requires a life-long commitment to intellectual endeavor and an on-going engagement with ideas. These, then, are my four pillars of the engaged and active mind and spirit—delight in intellectual challenge, unquenchable curiosity, logical thinking, and life-long effort toward understanding the world. All these qualities will be inspired and nurtured at BISLA in a powerful way, and a BISLA education will provide the knowledge and tools for such self-development.

I have been asked why our foundation cares about what happens in Slovakia, why we invest our resources in this endeavor instead of in the United States. The reason is that we care about people in nations in every part of our world, not just in our own nation. We believe that there is no single group or nation more important than another. All humans share in the struggle to preserve the environment of our

planet, in the struggle to provide an acceptable standard of living for all, in the struggle to provide a life of dignity and respect for each individual everywhere. All people everywhere are in one way or another committed to these goals, and the success or failure in accomplishing them depends upon our mutual cooperation and commitment to helping one another, whatever our race, our nationality, or our religious beliefs. We cannot succeed, we will not succeed, without working together on the challenges that face us all. Mankind’s organization into nations is an artificial construct really, a way of structuring ourselves politically so that we can live in orderly societies. This is undoubtedly necessary. In a more profound sense, however, we are truly one people, one human race, and we must all participate in the woes and triumphs of all of us. Here, in Slovakia, our foundation has been fortunate to become acquainted with the founders of BISLA, a small group of enlightened and dedicated individuals who are imbued with this perspective. They are a rare and precious breed. Our foundation supports individuals of this sort, wherever we find them, and will continue to do so as long as we have the resources at our disposal. Further, many of the colleges in the United States already possess significant resources and need our support less and less, enabling us to turn our attention to the bold and noble undertaking that is BISLA.

Once again, I turn to the students. My advice is to cherish every moment of the three years you will spend here. What you learn here and the habits of mind you develop will not only enable you to contribute in a positive way to the solution of the problems we all face, but the qualities you develop will immeasurably enrich each and every day of your lives. I commend you for taking a risk in committing yourselves to a new and unfamiliar form of education, but it is a risk well worth taking. This university will never let you down in your quest for enlightenment and growth. BISLA is a new institution and will suffer the growing pains of any new endeavor, but those growing pains are part of progress, part of growth, part of the move towards excellence and transcendence. You are part of a noble and proud endeavor. Never doubt the importance of that no matter what doubters you may encounter along the way.

Lastly, I would like to express my profound gratitude and respect to the founders of BISLA. Theirs is a challenging and inspiring endeavor to which they are unselfishly and wholeheartedly dedicated. I have every confidence that they have the wisdom, commitment and passion to make BISLA an institution of which we can all be proud and I look forward with pleasure to the development of BISLA in its own unique way.

Julie Johnson KiddPresident and Trustee

Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, New York

WhyStudyat BISLA?

BecauseIt will Teach You How to SeeThings Differently.

At BISLA students do not memorize but analyze, think and

discuss. They are encouraged to evaluate facts in the context

of diverse disciplines, ranging from political science, philosophy,

history, and anthropology to the history of art; from Plato to

Rorty, from Shakespeare to Kundera.

BISLA aims at conveying general knowledge and developing general intellectual capacities, in contrast to a professional, vocational, or technical curriculum. Our students do not have to choose specialization before they arrive at BISLA but only during the second year of study. It is what we call being interdisciplinary and interactive. It is also what is known as the liberal arts curriculum and method of study.

By studying here students gain their knowledge in a context, discovering their own potential and strengths and at the same time fulfilling what we take to be our primary objective, succinctly expressed by Joseph Schumpeter:

„To realize the relative validity of one’s convictions and yet stand for them

unflinchingly, is what distinguishes a civilized man from a barbarian”.

BISLA Study program

1st YEAR 2nd YEAR

Fall Semester Spring Semester Fall Semester Spring Semester

Introduction to Political Science (Rorty: Democracy and Philosophy)

Introduction to Political Science (Berlin: In the pursuit of ideal)

Methodology, Argumentation, Statistics

Comparative Politics

Elements of Social and Political Theories(Weber, Strauss, Schmitt)

History of Political Thought (Ancient, Early Medieval)

History of Political Thought (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke)

History of Political Thought (Tocqueville, Mill)

Writing on Politics (Mills) Political Shakespeare (Hamlet, The Tempest)

Modern Ideologies Arts and Politics

History of Slovakia in 20th Century

Elective courses (1 out of 2): Elective courses (1 out of 2):

Elective courses (1 out of 2): Elective courses (1 out of 2): Anthropological Theories (Lewellen, Leach)

Field Methods in Anthropology

Introduction to Anthropology (Durkheim, Weber)

Introduction to Anthropology (Durkheim, Weber)

Ethics Philosophy of Man

Introduction to Philosophy (Kant, Nietzsche, Marx)

Introduction to Philosophy (Kant, Nietzsche, Marx)

Free elective course (1 out of the list)

Free elective course (1 out of the list)

Winter Semester:

Internship program or

6 weeks course Taking Sides: Global Issues

Winter Semester:

Internship program or

6 weeks course Plato’s Republic

3rd YEAR

Fall Semester Spring Semester

Dissertation Unit Dissertation Unit

History of Political Thought (Contemporary)

International Relations

Theories of Political Systems and Democracy

Music, Theater and Politics

Elective courses (1 out of 2): Elective courses (1 out of 2):

Political Anthropology Economical Anthropology

Social Philosophy Contemporary Philosophy

Free elective course(1 out of the list)

Free elective course 1 out of the list)

Final Exam, Dissertation

Winter Semester:

Internship program or

6 weeks course Fall Semester: September - December

Winter Semester: January - February

Spring Semester: March - June

BecauseIt’s Small.

At BISLA we think that when it comes to education,

the smaller – the better. Nothing compares to one-on-one

dialogues and authentic spirited discussion in a small group,

where everyone contributes, argues and listens.

Therefore, BISLA intends to be always small, “a Boutique College”, if you like: a maximum number of students in each class is between 20 to 25. The students are further divided into smaller groups and are assigned personal tutors. Each year BISLA also plans to have a number of foreign students who will spend a semester or a year studying in English together with regular BISLA Slovak students.

We believe that the relationship between student and teacher

should as often as possible go beyond the narrow hierarchical

relationship and become a partnership in the endeavour of

seeking knowledge.

Lectures are held in an informal atmosphere. Life and education at BISLA does not end with seminars. Students and teachers visit cultural events and, exhibitions together or invite politicians and artists for a debate. Every semester there are weekend retreats where walking in the woods and talking by the fireplace adds up to the atmosphere of community and amity

What you study is crucialbut where you study is alsoimportant:BISLA has two beautiful buildings, spacious classrooms in the old town of Bratislava thanks to generous support from Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation of New York.

BecauseYou will Get a Chance to Put into Practice what You Learned.

The knowledge you are going to gain won’t be left untested. Students are encouraged to take part in the rich outside activities that go on at BISLA. No student can finish his or her study unless doing field work or an internship program during the Winter Semester (January-February) in various Slovak NGOs, government organizations, TV studios, newspaper or journal bureaus in order to gain experience in a workplace. The best BISLA students also have the opportunity to study abroad either in Europe, the USA or Canada.

BIH - The Bratislava Institute of HumanismBIH is a think-tank and BISLA’s outreach to the public. The main task is to organize weekly public debates on global issues or topics of interest and concern to Slovak society. Students get the opportunity to choose, organize and participate in the debates.

www.bih.sk

KRITIKA & KONTEXTIn addition, the prestigious academic journal K&K is co-published at BISLA and offers students ways to contribute, whether it is translation, editorship, or writing reviews and opinion pieces.

www.kritika.sk

AMENCABISLA is also affiliated with the Roma journal Amenca published by Roma students from the Society for Higher Learning – SHL an institution established in 1996 by the founders of BISLA. Roma students’ Amenca offers opportunities to test one’s racial tolerance and understand the life of a discriminated minority. It is dedicated to provide an opportunity for young and educated Roma students to share their knowledge of Roma life and culture with a view to improve relations between themselves and the Slovak majority.

BecauseIt’s Up to Date.

BISLA makes a great effort to ensurethat the things you are going to learnare up to date.

The whole curriculum reflects current trends in political science, philosophy, anthropology and art history. To achieve that, the BISLA teachers are experienced academics or professionals who have a broad range of knowledge and international experience. In addition, every semester BISLA invites foreign scholars to lead seminars and lectures. BISLA has a small research library and an excellent database of electronic resources of books and journals cooperating with leading Slovak libraries.

ECOLASEuropean education has changed dramatically thanks to the Bologna Agreement signed in 1997. It has divided university study into BA, MA and PhD as is common in English-speaking countries. BISLA focuses on the first, Bachelor degree as do liberal arts colleges in the USA and Western Europe.

BISLA’s Presidents together with similarly oriented educators in Europe and the USA have founded a network – European Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ECOLAS) – in order to promote liberal arts education in Europe. It is significant and symbolic that BISLA, based in Slovakia, serves as the headquarters of ECOLAS. European BA education is starting a new chapter and we are proud that BISLA with other European Liberal Arts Colleges is in the forefront of these efforts.

Becauseit’s in Bratislava.

Have you ever been to Bratislava?

It’s the capital of Slovakia and one of the most dynamic and fastest growing cities in Central Europe. People find it a vibrant and unique place despite of, or perhaps because it is located on the edges of the former Iron Curtain.

The majority of European cities – important, famous and hip --, are starting to look, as one writer put it, like one big shopping mall where you cannot tell the difference of being in one or another city. Bratislava somehow retains its individual charm and face. In fact, it is the people of Bratislava, fond of its Slovak-Hungarian-German-Jewish heritage, who seem to recreate an atmosphere slowly disappearing elsewhere.

Bratislava is a hub for budget travel. Without a passport you can be in Vienna in 50 minutes (boat, bus or train), and in Budapest or Prague in two or three hours.

If you want to enjoy culture in Bratislava, its opera, philharmonic orchestra and a new gorgeous Slovak National Theater on the banks of Danube will provide you with high quality art and entertainment. There is also rich young cultural scene, events, happenings and jazz music festivals. You can observe and learn about its recent and distant past – medieval center town and across the Danube Petržalka, with its vintage communist architecture of endless concrete blocs.

Address: BISLAGrösslingova 53811 09 BratislavaSlovak Republic

Telephone: +421 2 59234 311+421 905 727 785

Fax: +421 2 59234 450

Webpage and e-mail: www.bisla.eubisla@bisla.sk

Bratislava Institute of Humanism:

www.bih.skbih@bisla.sk

Kritika & Kontext: www.kritika.skkritika@bisla.sk

Contacts

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Academic StaffSamuel AbrahámPresident/Rector

František NovosádVice-Rector and Dean

Martin Kanovský Provost and Vice-Dean

FacultySamuel Abrahám Darina AbrahámováJuraj Buzalka Richard CedzoBéla Edyed Ján FülleEgon Gál Dušan HanákMartin Kanovský Miroslav KocúrAlvin Magid Juraj MarušiakArthur McCardle Martin MuranskýEmma Nežinská František NovosádAnna Vargová Jana Wild-BžochováMarína Zavacká Marian Zouhar

Manager: Petra Krchňavá Technician: Tomáš KanovskýLibrarian: Marcela Horváthová

Board of Governors František Novosád (chairman) Egon Gál (Bratislava Institute of Humanism, Kriitika & Kontext)Julie J. Kidd (Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, New York) Martin Kanovský (BISLA and Comenius University)Silvia Miháliková (Faculty of Social Science, Comenius University)

Academic Board Samuel Abrahám (BISLA, Chairman)Veit Dengler (DELL Slovakia)Egon Gál (BIH, K&K)Martin Kanovský (BISLA, Comenius University)Miroslav Marcelli (Comenius University)František Novosád (BISLA)Iveta Radičová (Slovak National Council)

Kritika & KontextSamuel Abrahám, Editor-in-ChiefEgon Gál, Editor for PhilosophyIgor André, Assistant

Samuel AbrahámPresident/Rectorabraham@bisla.sk

František NovosádVice-Rector and Deannovosad@bisla.sk

Martin KanovskýProvost and Deankanovsky@bisla.sk

Egon GálBratislava Institute of HumanismKritika & Kontext