Definition of faculty

The word "faculty" originated in the Middle Ages in the context of academic institutions. At the time, scholars were divided into various branches of knowledge, each headed by a "master" who was an expert in that particular field. These masters were called "magistri" in Latin, which literally translates to "masters" or "teachers." As universities began to emerge in the 12th century, the term "faculty" became more commonly used to refer to these branches of learning. The root "fac-" in the word "faculty" comes from the Latin "facere," which means "to do" or "to make." This reflects the idea that each faculty was responsible for teaching and producing knowledge within its respective domain. In medieval universities, there were typically four main faculties: Theology, Law, Medicine, and Arts. The first three faculties were considered "higher education" programs, as they prepared students for professional careers in the church, politics, or medicine. The faculty of Arts, on the other hand, provided a liberal education in the humanities and sciences, and served as a prerequisite for study in the higher faculties. Over time, the meaning of "faculty" has broadened to refer to any group of professionals or experts with specialized skills or knowledge. For example, in addition to academic faculties, there are now professional faculties for fields such as engineering, business, and social work. But at its origin, the word faculty was specifically reserved for the learned elite who led and directed the intellectual life of the university.