University of West Georgia, Philosophy records
Scope and Contents
The contents of this collection are completely digital. The collection is organized in two components. The first part contains the biannual philosophy newsletter, The Lantern. The second part is composed of posters for the annual philosophy program's production of Meeting of the Minds. Both of these "items" are listed as being within Box 1, but both the newsletters and posters are virtual.
Dates
- 2002-2014
Conditions Governing Access
Open to all users; no restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Rights held by the University of West Georgia.
Biographical / Historical
Philosophy classes at West Georgia College (WGC) were not originally taught as part of a larger philosophy program, but rather served as supplementary classes to the social sciences and humanities. According to the West Georgia College Bulletins, the first philosophy class to be taught at the College was held in the Fall of 1961 and taught by political science professor Charles Scudder. Scudder taught two philosophy classes from 1961 to 1964, "Intro. to Philosophy" and "Great Philosophers." One or both of these classes were required for all history, English, psychology, physics, and sociology majors. By 1965, the Division of Social Sciences at WGC offered Intro. to Philosophy, Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, and Modern Philosophy.
The first official philosophy professor hired at West Georgia College was David Higgins. Higgins worked within the Division of Humanities without being categorized under a specific department. Higgins was hired in the Spring of 1966 and initially taught the basic classes already offered at the college.
Through the help of Higgins, the college expanded the scope of the philosophy courses being offered. By the Spring of 1970, courses such as Existentialism, Logic, and Systems Theory were added to the Catalogue and taught by David Higgins, as well as two newly hired fulltime professors of philosophy.
This group of professors became the Philosophy Department (within the Division of Humanities) at West Georgia College in the Fall of 1970. Higgins became the head of the department and the college began offering philosophy as an official major for baccalaureate students.
The Department of Philosophy grew gradually with the addition of professors until 1996, when West Georgia College became the State University of West Georgia. At that point, the department was changed to a program and placed wthin the Department of English and Philosophy within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University.
The Philosophy Program, as of 2022, remains a program and is under the umbrella of the College of Arts, Culture, and Scientific Inquiry.
Extent
0 Linear Feet
Language
English
Overview
This collection contains digital objects related to the University of West Georgia's Philosophy Program/Department. Included in these records are posters and newsletters reflecting some of the program's major events, 2002-2014.
Arrangement
The two items are arranged in alphabetical order. The digital objects listed under items are organized chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred by UWG's College of Arts, Culture, and Scientific Inquiry (CACSI), August 2022.
- Title
- Guide to the University of West Georgia, Philosophy Records
- Status
- Completed
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of West Georgia Special Collections Repository
Special Collections, Ingram Library
University of West Georgia
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton GA 30118-2000 United States
special@westga.edu