Faculdade de Ciências Econômicas de Caxias do Sul: história e memória (1954-1967)

Abstract

This work aims to perform a historical-institutional analysis of the founding of the School of Economic Sciences, which is the current undergraduate program in Economic Sciences of the University of Caxias do Sul. The first chapter addresses the historical contextualization of the period between 1954 and 1967, present to the readers the idea of “cultural mediators” or “intellectual mediator” presents in the narrative, the role and the motivation that they will assume in the text, for the understanding of the constitution of the University of the Caxias do Sul. In these narrative emerge the turbulent time of the Civil-Military Coup of 1964, the instauration of the longest state of exception of our political history. This chapter also refers to theoretical and methodological contributions and performs a bibliographic review. In the second chapter, a historical contextualization of the higher education in Caxias do Sul, private higher education in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the economic development of the region and the importance of an undergraduate program oriented to the socioeconomic reality of the city and the Serra Gaúcha region. The third chapter examines the political tensions that preceded and succeeded to the genesis of the School of Economic Sciences of Caxias do Sul and, from the conception of ideas, in 1954, presents an analysis of academic tracks and curriculum management of the first class to receive the bachelor’s degree in the mentioned school, culminating with the graduation ceremony of March 16th, 1963. The only woman of the first class, the student Mafalda Maria Michielon was a rare case for those times, in areas of study only considered for men. Policies were articulated to accomplish the longing course accreditation and to eliminate the closure threat of the novel institution. Finally, the fourth chapter presents the creation of the University of Caxias do Sul Association, bringing together the isolated schools for the specific purpose of preparing all the financial and political movements for the foundation of University of Caxias do Sul.