food for thought
'If I were asked to name the most needed of all reforms in the spirit of education I should say: cease conceiving of education as mere preparation for later life, and make of it the full meaning of the present life. And to add that only in this case does it become truly a preparation for later life is not the paradox it seems. An activity which does not have worth enough to be carried as for its own sake cannot be very effective as a preparation for something else (...).
- John Dewey
'If I were asked to name the most needed of all reforms in the spirit of education I should say: cease conceiving of education as mere preparation for later life, and make of it the full meaning of the present life. And to add that only in this case does it become truly a preparation for later life is not the paradox it seems. An activity which does not have worth enough to be carried as for its own sake cannot be very effective as a preparation for something else (...).
- John Dewey
overview
in applying to CILAS, you seek admission to a (one-year) bridge programme in the liberal arts. CILAS invites students from all walks of life who have completed high school (a Bachelor's degree is recommended but not required) to engage with the liberal arts in an effort to develop a wise appreciation of the complexity of the world. CILAS recognises that in today's world, one needs to be able to interpret changing global conditions; mobilise resources effectively; and guide teams of diverse people. Students are challenged and supported to cultivate these skills.
coursework and labs
the academic year at CILAS begins in September and ends in early June the following year. The year is divided into two semesters bridged by a self-directed study period. Coursework is trans-disciplinary and discussion-based. A core curriculum provides an intellectual and socio-emotional foundation for community-building. All students complete core courses in Historical Consciousness, Philosophical and Poetic Inquiry, and Ethnographic Study. In semester two in the spring, students choose two thematic courses and join one of CILAS' labs.
schedule and fellows
study at CILAS is intellectually demanding and requires a commitment of at least fifteen weekly hours. CILAS schedules its classes flexibly. Early birds can attend class in the morning (10am to 12:30pm) and night owls may attend the evening slot (5:30pm to 8pm). Teachers at CILAS are called fellows. They coordinate, co-create, host courses, lectures, workshops, film screenings and field trips. Fellows have completed graduate studies, are experienced educators and are attuned to context.
attendance and methodology
Students are asked to attend classes ready and keen to present their reflections and inquiries. CILAS operates under a pedagogy of discovery and attunement; not a pedagogy of consumption. This is to say that what we cover at CILAS matters less than what a student discovers. Discussion Based Learning is the main method of instruction at CILAS and relies heavily on the participation of students. The difference between a fellow and a student is that the fellow knows how to be a student; they are not the ones who know the answers but the ones who know how to find out.
Assessment
CILAS assesses the performance of students, fellows and the institute dialogically. Assessment in the form of narratives in lieu of grades provides students with personalised guidance. Students' work is carefully assessed and appreciated. Room for improvement is discussed together. CILAS assesses students' ability to de-construct and re-construct phenomena, categories and theories; their ability to communicate across disciplines in written and spoken from; their ability to raise critical and creative questions, cultivate curiosity, and pursue personal interests along their respective paths.
