Dive into the history of the faculty
In conversation with Ab Flipse
University historian Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
His room is littered with books, photographs and archival documents. During the Dies Natalis celebration, shortly before this interview, he got his hands on some old pieces from alumni from the 50s. University historian Ab Flipse is, in short, the right person to talk about where the faculty of humanities came from and where we are going.
In 1880, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam started with three faculties, Flipse begins. “Theology, Law, and Literature & Philosophy. The latter faculty, the predecessor of the current Humanities, was at the time mainly serving the other two. This was typical of VU Amsterdam, in which theology was central at the time. It also recalls the classical function of the medieval and early modern artes faculty of liberal arts. This was the preparation for the so-called higher faculties of Theology, Law and Medicine.”
"Philosophy or a similar subject is compulsory in all programmes."
Erudite citizen
An important element of the scientific vision of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam founder Abraham Kuyper is practicing science coherently, with a wide view without blinkers, so that everyone can see their profession in context and know their place as a scientist. That is why the propaedeutic year was at that time the same for everyone; a general formative year about, among other things, the classics, Dutch language and literature, aesthetics, and architecture – a bit like that old artes faculty. This education was intended to make every student a responsible, erudite citizen. “In a way, this vision can still be seen at VU Amsterdam. Philosophy or a similar subject is compulsory in all programmes. And you can follow the Broader Mind Course,” Flipse illustrates. “For all bachelor's and master's students, with input from eight faculties, focused on personal development and involvement in social issues.”
"Every student needs broad, general knowledge."
Teachers needed
The Faculty of Literature & Philosophy is therefore primarily of service to the other programmes. You could already graduate in Classical Languages, but the first real expansion took place in 1918. “The concrete reason was a societal demand: teachers were needed at secondary schools. The bond with secondary education was close. Professor Jan Woltjer, an important name in the history of the Humanities, was also rector of the Reformed Gymnasium in Amsterdam.” Two historians and a Dutch scholar were recruited so that the Dutch and History programmes could be started.
Human spirit
After the war, developments continued. Modern languages, art, and general linguistics were added. In the 60s, Philosophy was housed in the Central Interfaculty, which was given a special role for education in all faculties. “In 2014, Philosophy and Literature merged again into Humanities. A new faculty, but with old papers,” says Flipse. “In the early days, a subject such as psychology, which studied the human mind, was also seen as part of the humanities, but that field became independent.” But that human spirit, we also see it in the Humanities, don't we? “The difference is that Humanities studies the products of the human mind.”
Bringing Unity
In 2022, the role of the Faculty of Humanities has of course changed: there is a range of great programmes and plenty of research done. At the same time, the Humanities will continue to contribute to other faculties. And that's something to be proud of, says Flipse. “The general education subjects offer unity and are relevant for everyone. This is an ideal that goes back to the early days of VU Amsterdam.” That also applies to his own field. For example, he teaches the history of natural science and the history of medical science in those programmes. “I think it's absolutely critical for every student to acquire that broader knowledge. The past can be inspiring or cautionary or show that discussions have been had before. Historical awareness should not be missed.” As a university historian, it is also his job to keep the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam history alive and he
sees that there is a great deal of interest in this. “I am a source of information and notice that many people want to know where 'they' or their education or department come from. If you set out lines of research for the future, you also want to know how current specialisms originated.”
"Unlike all the other universities of the 19th century, which were elitist strongholds, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was founded by and for the common people."
Diversity
Knowledge of the past helps to understand the present. He has one last example of this. “Social roots are characteristic of VU Amsterdam. Unlike all the other universities of the 19th century, which were elitist strongholds, VU Amsterdam was founded by and for the common people. We have been a university of emancipation from the very beginning; groups for whom education was at first not accessible started to participate. That starting point is still visible and inspires me again and again. We are the university with the highest multicultural diversity, which at the same time ensures that the value of humanities with broad, general knowledge is of undiminished importance.”
Ab Flipse has been a university historian since 2014. His mission is to investigate the history of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and keep it alive for a wide audience. Although he is based in the department of Humanities, he serves the entire university. In addition, he teaches within various faculties, conducts research, and supervises theses.
On www.geheugenvandevu.nl he talks about the history of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Students before Keizersgracht 162, the VU-building where the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculties of Law and Theology were settled in the early days of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (photo around 1915).
Jan Wolter, classicist, professor from 1881 to 1917. He was the central figure within the Faculty of Humanities during this period.
Van Eeghenstraat 112, where the faculty was located from 1961.
Reading room libary at 162 Keizersgracht (photo 1938).
Margaretha Schenkeveld, from 1970 Professor of Dutch Literature (photo 1980).
Reading room in the new main building of VU Amsterdam in the 1970s, where the faculty was located from 1970.