THE COMMON CYCLE OF STUDIES ANDA THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIETY, CULTURE AND LATIN AMERICAN INTEGRATION IN UNILA HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The paper deals with the relationship between society, culture and Latin American integration in higher education at the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA), especially in the Common Cycle of Studies (CCE). For this, it was carried out based on bibliographic review, documentary analysis and field research with graduated students from undergraduate courses and teachers who worked in this Cycle. The formative processes of the CCE, which students entering undergraduate courses go through in the initial semesters, encompass cultural elements, expressed in curricular content, which enable the appropriation of knowledge about Latin America, integration and languages, in addition to the area of training. The results obtained point out specificities and differences between the institution studied in relation to other institutions and, according to the research participants, the CCE presents relevant aspects and challenges. It is noteworthy that UNILA is a strategic university and an alternative to Latin American integration, among the “peoples”, which proposes to be “solidarity”, and a determined and determinant expression of integration through educational means, responsible for the training of professionals and the scientific production, with an important role in elevating culture.