The Amstel Institute for the Liberal Arts and Sciences (AILAS) is a foundation for education and research working towards the development of independent thought. As teachers and researchers we are convinced of the importance of independent judgment. Being able to follow arguments, recognize logic, and being able to read and phrase properly are necessary to deal with contemporary questions. This contributes to personal development and improved career opportunities.
Transmitting knowledge and skills
AILAS aims at the transmission of fundamental academic knowledge and skills by studying foundations within the Western tradition. By understanding these and drawing connections between them, you will better comprehend today’s society, ideas, and developments. Everything about our courses is available on the page Programme.
General education is crucial
Extensive specialisation of university degrees during the past decades has come at the expense of a broad general education. This is particularly evident in a more limited awareness of context and paradigms (fundamental assumptions). There is hence much to be gained from more knowledge of fundamentals, insight into facts, and the skill to develop an educated opinion about them – in short, general education.
Improved independent judgment
For us to understand the world and take a successful position in it, according to AILAS two pillars in our development are important:
- Transmission of knowledge
- Learning to think independently
Independent judgement depends on knowledge, understanding, and creativity. By learning facts and the connections between the facts, it is possible to subsequently develop a grounded view of your own. Our teaching programmes encourage this by making use of the foundations within the Western tradition. These sources are interdisciplinary: they cover history, law, economics, and philosophy, but also natural sciences, art, and music.
Board of Recommendation
Cooperation at home and abroad
Our goal is to create a community where students, researchers, and professionals can develop their independent judgment by making use of fundamental sources within the Western tradition. To this end we are increasingly working with partners in the United States and various countries in Europe. Thus we are building a network of students, academics, and researchers.
In-depth course programme
The AILAS academic programme is a valuable supplement to bachelor programmes and university colleges at home and abroad. Our students are Bachelor and Master students, but also working professionals, as well as others with an academic degree seeking greater depth of learning. This results in mixed course groups with a unique dynamic, and an exceptional interaction and exchange of knowledge.
Course structure: varied and interactive
Anyone who is or has been registered at an academic institution can participate in our courses. The groups are small (maximum 15 persons) and mixed in terms of background and age of the participants. The varied programme consists of interactive meetings led by skilled teachers, a reading schedule, and –optionally– the writing of essays.
Studying fundamental sources
The idea behind the courses is to give a broad overview of the foundational works which have shaped our society. Taking into account the historical context, texts and other sources are discussed in an interdisciplinary way.
Facts, logic, and judgment formation
Using fundamental sources, students learn to reason and phrase carefully, both in writing and in speech. Each meeting, just like the entire course, is organized around the triad of facts, logic, and judgment formation. Each meeting, just like the entire course, is organized around the triad of facts, logic, and judgment formation. This builds on the idea of the Trivium, for centuries the backbone of European academic teaching. It challenges students to reflect critically on their own thinking and acting, and to clearly articulate complex thoughts.
Introduction to the Western tradition
Understanding the world in which we live and being able to respond to developments requires knowledge of fundamentals. Insight into the origins of our contemporary society and the prevailing ideas is essential. Discover the sources within the Western tradition in this introduction course.
Improved independent thought and autonomous judgment
All students and those academically educated benefit from skills that help them to think and act more independently in their studies, work, or their hobbies, and arrive at their own judgment. Our courses contribute to this by:
- Knowledge of the ‘great works’
- Practice of independent reasoning and phrasing
- Insight into the links between the works and between the works and their historical context
Our courses are hence a valuable addition to your CV
Founders
Characteristic of AILAS: depth and small scale
An open and free exchange of arguments between the students, teachers and researchers is always paramount. For this reason we work with small classes of up to 15 people, supervised by one or more highly educated teachers. In this way you will arrive at the heart of things in a friendly atmosphere.
Interested in the next introduction course ‘Introduction to the Western tradition’, commencing in the spring of 2019? Take a look at the programme now and make sure to register.
Board
The board of AILAS receives no financial compensation for their board-work
Keep informed for future start dates
Dare to think