Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Philosophy Department records
- Dates:
- 1968-1986
- Creators:
- University of San Diego Philosophy Department
- Abstract:
- The University of San Diego Philosophy Department records include meeting minutes, transcripts of meetings, memoranda, correspondence, and news releases documenting the establishment, growth, and activities of the department. These records document discussions about curriculum, general education requirements, student outlook, and faculty standing. The bulk of these records cover the 1970s and include discussions surrounding the merging of the College for Women and College for Men as well as the changing scope of the Philosophy Department.
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Philosophy Department records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The University of San Diego Philosophy Department records include meeting minutes, transcripts of meetings, memoranda, correspondence, and news releases documenting the establishment, growth, and activities of the department. These records document Philosophy Department discussions about curriculum, general education requirements, student outlook, and faculty standing. The bulk of these records cover the 1970s and include discussions surrounding the merging of the College for Women and College for Men as well as the changing scope of the department. Event materials for the National Honor Society in Philosophy, Phi Sigma Tau, are also included. The majority of these records are those of Dr. John Swanke, who served as Chairman of the Philosophy department in 1974, and who served as Philosophy professor at the University of San Diego for 25 years. Correspondence and memoranda associated with Philosophy Professor Father William Shipley are also among these materials.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The College for Women and College for Men had separate Philosophy Departments until the two colleges were set to merge. The merge proved challenging largely because of the difference in teaching philosophies between College for Men Philosophy Department chairman, Father William Shipley, and the College for Women Philosophy Department chairman, Dr. Richard George. Dr. George believed student should be taught only the perennial philosophy of Aristotle and Aquinas. Father Shipley felt the program should have a historical survey of philosophers and allow students to learn diverse philosophical systems. Shipley was ultimately voted in as the chairman of the newly merged philosophy department in April 1970. While discussion of the role of the Philosophy department continued, Shipley's view were more readily incorporated.
Dr. John Swanke served as a professor in the Philosophy Department for 25 years beginning in 1968. He served as chairman of the department in 1974.
The Department of Philosophy continues to cover significant historical periods and major philosophical methods with focus in the study of ethics, values, and morals.
- Processing information:
-
This collection was processed by Tessie Camina in 2009. Additional processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2017. Original order is unknown, but files were left as ordered when found in 2017.
- Arrangement:
-
These records consist of one series of Administrative Records. The first few files concern the separate College for Men and College for Women Philosophy Departments and are organized chronologically. The remaining files are organized alphabetically.
- Physical description:
- 1 box (1 linear foot)
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- philosophy
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- © 2017
- Date Encoded:
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
These records are open for research.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Philosophy Department records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.
- Location of this collection:
-
5998 Alcalá ParkSan Diego, CA 92110 2492, US
- Contact:
- (619) 260-2730