Guide to the Department of Religious Studies records
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-260-2730
Email: spcoll@sandiego.edu
© 2016
Overview of the Collection
Title:
Department of Religious Studies records
Date (inclusive): 1964-1995
Collection number: USDA_1997_01
Creator: University of San Diego Department of Religious Studies
Extent:
1 box (.5 linear feet)
Repository:
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Abstract:
These records contain correspondence, reports, and meeting minutes pertaining to the Department of Religious Studies in
the early 1970s. The majority of these records pertain to discussions about the Catholicity of the merging USD College for
Men and College for Women and general education requirements in religion.
Languages:
English
Historical Note
Until 1969 the College for Women and the College for Men had separate departments of theology with separate general education
requirements. Catholic men, and all women, were required to take a theology course each semester. As discussions of merging
the two colleges were occurring, and with personnel changes, the Department of Religious Studies became the first completely
merged department in 1969. John R. Portman served as the founding chair of the Department of Religious Studies until 1974.
The department professed to ensure the academic nature of courses in religion not character formation. Religious study was,
and is, part of the general education requirement for each student. In 1972, general education requirements in religion changed
to nine credits for all students. In 1974, Religious Studies was added to the list of majors.
The prominent program the Department oversaw in the 1970s was the Ecumenical Center for World Religions. Founded by John R.
Portman, the Center opened in January 1972 as a space to deepen students' understanding of world religions, for scholarly
research about world religions, and to explore points of contact between religious traditions around the world. The Center
also offered seminars each summer.
Scope and Content Note
The Department of Religious Studies records relate to the early administration of the department, namely discussions about
the merger of the College for Men and the College for Women, programs put on by the department, and discussions of general
education requirements. Records largely consist of correspondence, news releases and clippings, and reports. In addition to
the early 1970s administrative records, are records for the Masters in Religious Education which was first offered in 1977.
Arrangement
These records consist of one series of Administrative Records which are arranged in chronological order.
Access Information
These records are open for research.
Preferred citation
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Department of Religious Studies records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives
and Special Collections.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Tessie Camina in 2008. It was further processed by Ashley Toutain in 2016.
Related Material
The M.R.E. (Masters in Religious Education) Newsletter is available for view in the University Archives and Special Collections.
Index Terms
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Portman, John R.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of San Diego
Jewish Chautauqua Society
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego (Calif.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
religion (field of study)
Series I:
Administrative Records,
1964-1980,
1995
Box/Folder: 1 / 3
Catholicity of USD,
1972-1974
Scope and Content Note
[News and correspondence regarding general education requirements in Religious Studies.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 4
Conferences,
1978-1979
Scope and Content Note
[Conference materials for Women and Ministry and the Canon Law Institute.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 7
Correspondence,
1972
Scope and Content Note
[Includes correspondence on Satanism.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 8
Correspondence,
1973
Scope and Content Note
[Includes correspondence with the Jewish Chautauqua Society as well as discussion about establishing a major in Religious
Studies.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 10
Ecumenical Center for World Religions - Executive Committee Meetings,
1973-1975
Box/Folder: 1 / 12
Portman Resignation,
1974
Scope and Content Note
[Includes Committee of Academic Affairs meeting minutes with the Board of Trustees on April 4, 1974 which involved discussions
about the Religious Studies department.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 13
Religious Education Extension Program,
1975
Box/Folder: 1 / 14
Correspondence,
1984-1987
Box/Folder: 1 / 15
Institute for Christian Ministries,
1986
Box/Folder: 1 / 16
Masters in Religious Education,
1982
Box/Folder: 1 / 17
Masters in Religious Education - History,
1977-1981
Box/Folder: 1 / 18
Masters in Religious Education - Evaluation,
1982
Box/Folder: 1 / 19
Masters in Religious Education - Self Study Chairman’s Report,
1982
Box/Folder: 1 / 20
Masters in Religious Education - Student Evaluations Report,
1982
Box/Folder: 1 / 21
News Clippings,
1979-1980
Box/Folder: 1 / 22
Religion 194 - Gender and Religion in the United States,
1995
