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Department of Philosophy & Religion Records

Finding Aid

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Collection Summary

Identifier

UA 6.12

Title

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy and Religion Records

Creator

Department of Philosophy and Religion, College of Arts and Sciences, South Dakota State University

Dates

1962-2005

Extent

0.21 linear feet (1 small document case)

Language

English

Repository

Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item . College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy and Religion Records, UA 6.12. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

Philosophy deals with the fundamental questions of life, including the nature of knowledge, the basis of morality and politics, and the rational analysis of religious beliefs. The study of Religion introduces students to the various historical and contemporary expressions of diverse religious traditions as a dimension of the human experience. The collection is composed of pamphlets, booklets, and a course announcement.

Historical Note

Prior to the establishment of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 1968, instruction in those areas was somewhat sporadic. Area clergy occasionally taught religion courses through the college. The 1947-48 catalog first mentions this arrangement. College faculty taught philosophy courses, however.

Philosophy courses have been taught since the founding of the college. Instruction in "moral philosophy" was required by the Morrill Act, which established land grant colleges, including South Dakota State University. A chair of Psychology and Philosophy was established in 1885. A Department of Philosophy was established in 1906, and for a short while philosophy, psychology, and education courses were taught through it. Courses were moved to the Education Department in 1913 and remained there until a Department of Psychology and Philosophy was established in 1967. In 1968, these disciplined split, with psychology becoming an independent department and philosophy joining with religion.

In 1975, the department was allowed to offer the minor in philosophy and in 1978 the minor in religion. Efforts were made to develop a major in philosophy but the Board of Regents denied the request.

Students from any major may undertake the academic study of philosophy at South Dakota State University. The academic study of religion is designed to enrich the student's perspectives and introduce some of the important feature of philosophy and religion.

Philosophy and Religion is now merged into the Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

Contents Note

This collection is composed of material gathered by the Philosophy and Religion Department. Folders contain pamphlets, booklets and a course announcement. Also included is a lecture by Dr. Stanley L. Olsen and material from a Symposium on Education for New World Realities held in 1973.

Key Words

South Dakota State University. Department of Philosophy and Religion.

South Dakota State University. Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

Container List

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Department of Philosophy and Religion Records Container List. UA 6.12

Box Folder Description Date(s)
1 2 "Means and Ends in Education" by Stanley L. Olsen (philosophy lecture) 1962
1 1 Land and Cultures Workshop (pamphlet) 1980
1 3 Middle East Topics (REL 493) (course announcement) 2001
1 4 Our Agricultural Future Conference (pamphlet) 1990
1 5 Quotes on agriculture undated
1 6 Symposium on Education for New World Realities (invitation letter) 1973
1 7 Wingspread Declaration on Religion and Public Life Conference (booklet, note SDSU representative) 2005

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, 1999 March 2, additions made 2008 August 14.