Rector Pablo Mella, SJ Founded 1985 | Website Bono | |
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Type Jesuit, Catholic college Established 1985; 32 years ago (1985) Location Josefa Brea Street No. 65,
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Academic affiliations Association of Universities Entrusted to the Society of Jesus in Latin America, Pontifical Gregorian University | ||
Pedro Francisco Bono Institute (ISB) (formerly Pedro Francisco Bonó Philosophical Institute) began in September 1985 offering philosophical and humanities studies for Jesuits preparing for the priesthood. Classes were held at the San Pedro Claver Juniorate on Samana Street, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In 1989 the Institute moved to its present location and began offering the Bachelor of Arts and Philosophy degree. It is a member of the Association of Universities Entrusted to the Society of Jesus in Latin America (AUSJAL) and is affiliated with the Pontifical Gregorian University.
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History
Pedro Francisco Bono Philosophical Institute began in September 1985 with a small group of Jesuit students. Classes were held at San Pedro Claver Juniorate on Samana Street No. 80. The journal Social Studies was published from there. In 1988 an agreement was reached whereby the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology accredited the studies at the Philosophical Institute.
In June 1989 the Society of Jesus acquired the building at Josefa Brea Street No. 65 near Avenida 27 de Febrero where the Institute is now located. On 6 October 1989 the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Dominican Republic) approved the Bachelor of Arts and Philosophy degree. This degree draws about 30 new students each year. Additional students take courses in preparation for the study of theology, for teacher training, and for other purposes.
Mission
Bonó Institute strives to educate people for and with others, through the humanities, social sciences, and philosophy, promoting critical thinking and intercultural sensitivity in the context of contemporary society, through teaching, research, and public debate, in accord with the tradition of Jesuit formation. In pursuit of its mission to educate service-minded leaders who will create a more inclusive society, it collaborates with Centro Bonó, the social center of the West Indies Province of the Society of Jesus, which is situated on its campus.
Academics
The degree in philosophy is completed with 185 credits in eight semesters over four years. The first two years focus on the humanities, especially history and literature studied chronologically, and the last two years are devoted to philosophy, culminating in the writing of a thesis. ISB also contributes to a virtual classroom program toward a human rights diploma and is a part of the CIEE studies abroad program hosting students from schools like Georgetown University Lewis and Clark University, and University of Denver.
Library
In March 2016 the library housed 68,931 books focused mainly on philosophy, humanities, and the social sciences along with related areas such as theology and literature. There is a digitized catalog. The library also houses 971 different magazines, with more than 127,000 articles from 288 journals cataloged. Students and teachers also have access to an electronic library with over 80,000 titles.