O Curso Comercial na formação intelectual ofertada pelas Associações Cristãs de Moços, no Brasil (1893-1929)

Abstract

This study aims to understand the organization of the Commercial Course and its purpose in the project of intellectual formation of the Young Men’s Christian Associations Brazilian, from 1893 to 1929. Association created in 1844 in England, was inserted in Brazil in 1893, in Rio de Janeiro, by north American missionary Myron A. Clark. This research used periodicals, pamphlets, booklets, minutes and statutes of the institution. It was revealed that the intellectual formation was part of acmista project. The offering of shares that would provide such formation, in particular the Commercial Course was held by ACM as the main course that could contribute to the social advancement of its members, especially anchored in arguments relating to the use of idle time with useful things. The YMCAs acted thus as a place of preparation, forming the associate to work, to new habits, behaviors and sensitivities of a acmista intellectual formation.