Studium generale

Map of medieval universities in Europe.

Studium generale is the old name for a medieval university which was registered as an institution of international excellence by the Holy Roman Empire. Most of the early studia generalia were found in Italy, France, England, Spain and Portugal, and these were considered the most prestigious places of learning in Europe. The Vatican continues to designate many new universities as studia generalia, although the popular significance of this honour has declined over the centuries.

As early as the 13th century, scholars from a studium generale were encouraged to give lecture courses at other institutes across Europe and to share documents, and this led to the current academic culture seen in modern European universities.

The nine universities generally considered as studia generalia in the 13th century were:

• University of Bologna
• University of Paris
• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University of Montpellier
• University of Salamanca
• University of Reggio Emilia
• University of Vicenza
• University of Salerno (uncertain)
• University of Coimbra (founded in Lisbon in 1290)

Both theological and secular universities were registered. This list quickly grew as new universities were founded throughout Europe. Many of these universities received formal confirmation of their status as studia generalia towards the end of the 13th century by way of papal bull, along with a host of newer universities. While these papal bulls initially did little more than confer the privileges of a specified university such as Bologna or Paris, by the end of the 13th century universities sought a papal bull conferring on them ius ubique docendi, the privilege of granting to masters licences to teach in all universities without further examination (Haskins, 1941:282).

Today studium generale is primarily used within a European university context as a description for lectures, seminars and other activities which aim at providing academic foundations for students and the general public. They are in line with the humanistic roots of the traditional universities to reach outside of their boundaries and provide a general education.

References

• Haskins, George L (1941) 'The University of Oxford and the Ius ubique docendi,' The English Historical Review, pp 281-292.

See also

• List of oldest universities in continuous operation