This book on the University of Central America Jose Simeon Canas (UCA) in El Salvador reviews its history, its establishment, its work for social change, and the consequent 1989 assassination of six Jesuit priests and two women. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the text and a description and discussion of the November 16, 1989 assassination. Chapter 2 offers a brief history of El Salvador. Chapter 3 discusses prominent philosophers' thinking concerning the role and mission of universities generally. Chapter 4 describes significant changes in the Catholic church and the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Chapter 5 reviews the founding years of UCA from 1965 to 1969. Chapter 6 looks at the 6-year period between 1969 and 1975 during which UCA began to assume a new role as agent for social change. Chapter 7 describes the years 1975 to 1979 during which Roman Majorga was rector. Chapter 8 describes the 1979 to 1981 period when Ignacio Ellacuria became rector. Chapter 9 considers the overall UCA trajectory through the decade 1979 to 1982. Chapter 10 examines consolidation of the UCA model and ongoing dialogue on the nature of the university, internal developments, and key issues facing the country. Chapter 11 further explores how the UCA model took form in the middle of the civil war and the interplay of external and internal events, and eventually the assassination and its aftermath. Chapter 12 reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the UCA model. (Contains 95 references.) (JB)