Great School

The Great School (Serbian: Велика школа) was the highest ranking educational institution in Serbia between 1808 and 1905, as the first Great School (1808-1813), The Belgrade Lyceum (1838-1863), and the second Great school (1863-1905). It was initially located at the Countess Ljubica's Residence in Belgrade and then moved to the one of the most significant buildings in Belgrade, the Captain Miša’s Mansion, bequeathed to the nation by Captain Miša Anastasijević.

The Great School was established as the successor of the Lyceum and was a combination of middle and high school, the the predecessor of the University of Belgrade. Under the law, the it was defined as a “scientific institute for higher and professional education”. The Minister of Education had control over this institution and it was directly managed by the Rector (elected by the monarch) and Academic Council.

It had three departments or faculties: Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Law. The Great School formally became the University of Belgrade through the Law on the University from February 27, 1905. In addition to the Philosophy, Law and Electrical Engineering departments, this Law introduced the Orthodox Theology and Medical schools.

Department of Law

In the early 19th century, the studies of law lasted three years and, in addition to general subjects, the curriculum included comparative and state (constitutional) law, international law, criminal law and judicial procedure. Many historians believe that it is justified to perceive that the foundation of modern legal education in Serbia is the year 1808. This could be taken as the date when the University of Belgrade Faculty of Law was established. Before enrolling the legal department, it was compulsory to graduate at the philosophy department, where the studies lasted two years, so the legal studies lasted a total of five years. Since 1853, the legal education became independent from the studies of philosophy. Since 1863, legal education in Serbia lasted four years.

Department of Philosophy

From 1841 to 1863, before enrolling the legal department, it was compulsory to graduate at the department for philosophy, where the studies lasted two years. The lectures were held by distinguished professors, who have earned their diplomas in Austria, Germany and France (Jovan Sterija Popović, Janko Šafarik, Josif Pančić, Đura Daničić, and others). During the 1850’s, the Philosophical (General) Department developed into a particular college.

Department of Electrical Engineering

The first academic lecture on electrical engineering in Serbia was held in 1894. Professor Stevan Marković was the first lecturer and founder of the Engineering Department at the Great School in Belgrade. Only four years later, Professor Marković also established the first Serbian electrical engineering laboratory. Since then, this academic discipline has been studied at the Great School, and later at the University of Belgrade. The first diplomas in this field were given in 1922.

Notable faculty

ources

* [http://www.bg.ac.yu/csrp/univerzitet/istorijat.php] "(Serbian)"
* [http://www.ius.bg.ac.yu/istorijat/] "(Serbian)"

ee also

* University of Belgrade
* Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts