Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 429-4-1

Title

University Studies

Date(s)

1962 - 2008

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

7 Archival boxes, 0.88 linear meters

Context

Name of creator(s)

Csákó, Mihály

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Narrative)

Mihály Csákó began his studies at the Faculty of Humanities at Eötvös Loránd University in the field of philosophy in 1959. In 1964, he earned a degree as a teacher of Hungarian language and literature, and as a lecturer in philosophy. He was selected as the responsible person for academic study matters by the Communist Youth Association (KISZ) Committee at the faculty.

In 1967, he had the opportunity to study French and conduct research in France. Between October 1967 and June 1968, he completed postgraduate studies at the independent international institution, Centre Universitaire Européen de Nancy, at the University of Nancy. His main subjects of study included European civilization, psychology, philosophy, post-war European integration tendencies, European law, the economy of the European Economic Community (EEC), corporate forms within the EEC, and he earned a "Diplôme d’études postuniversitaires européennes (civilisation)" degree. He learned French during this time, and his interest in philosophy and social philosophy developed.

In 1967, the Ministry of Culture announced the renewal of Marxist philosophy teaching. Mihály Hamburger, György Józsa, and Csákó applied for the task, but their proposal was deemed a "clearly anti-state attack and conspiracy." As a result, they had to leave the Philosophy Department in the summer of 1969. Csákó was given the opportunity to study sociology at the Social Science Institute of the Central Committee of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP KB).

Between September 1969 and June 1970, he completed a sociology course at the MSZMP KB Social Science Institute, where he studied topics such as the history of sociology, social structure and mobility, research methodology, statistics, and research practice.

In September 1971, he passed his doctoral qualifying exam at Eötvös Loránd University. His doctoral dissertation, titled "Structuralism and History," was written about the French sociologist and anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, and was based on research he conducted during his time in Nancy.

In 1991, Csákó defended his candidate's dissertation, co-authored with Ilona Liskó, titled "The Social Determination of Vocational School Students in the 1970s," which was based on the results of their 1973 vocational school examination.

The series includes Csákó's notes and papers from his university years, as well as the honorary diploma he received from the Faculty of Humanities at Eötvös Loránd University. An interesting element of the series is the proposal to renew the teaching of Marxist philosophy (1967), which led to Csákó's dismissal from the university.

The series also contains letters, brochures, cultural journals, information on student organizations, European affairs, higher education, sociology, civic education, political science studies in French, as well as Csákó's class schedule, notes, and reports on his study trip to Nancy.

Accruals

Not Expected

Conditions of Access and Use

Languages

English, French, Hungarian

Description Control

Archivist's note

Arranged by Réka Heszterényi, Erzsébet Szöllősi, and Örs Lehel Tari. Described by Erzsébet Szöllősi. English translations by Judit Hegedüs and Iván Székely. October 31, 2023.