Collection Guide
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Guide to the Philosophy Department records
USDA_2009_05
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Table of contents
Title:
Philosophy Department records
Date (inclusive): 1968-1986
Collection number: USDA_2009_05
Creator: University of San Diego Philosophy Department
Extent:
1 box (1 linear foot)
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.
Languages:
English
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.
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.
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.
Access Information
These records are open for research.
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Philosophy Department records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special
Collections.
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.
For more records related to the Philosophy Department, see the Father William Shipley papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Shipley, William L.
Swanke, John
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of San Diego
University of San Diego. College for Men
San Diego College for Women
Phi Sigma Tau
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego (Calif.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
philosophy