Degrees offered: |
Minor; B.A. in Philosophy |
Number of faculty: |
10* |
Number of majors in the program: |
30* |
Faculty Liaison: |
Sarah K. Robins |
Library Subject Specialist: |
Virginia Rassaei |
Department Chair: |
Julius Simon |
* Fall, 2003 data as reported in The University of Texas at El Paso FACT BOOK, 2003-04, Center for Institutional Evaluation, Research & Planning, University of Texas at El Paso, 2005 |
Program Description
The B.A. degree in Philosophy is intended to assist students to develop rational critical thinking skills. These skills are developed by examining philosophical ideas and movements that have influenced contemporary philosophical activity in
Subjects included in the philosophy program cover traditional philosophical areas such as history of philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and ethics. The program provides intensive education on the history of Western philosophy and offers courses designed to analyze some of the major issues in philosophy
Specific topics covered in courses taught are: the life, influence, and writin
Faculty research interests are in philosophy of mind, philosophy of biology, philosophy of religion, modern to post-modern continental philosophy, Jewish philosophy, Latin American philosophy and culture, Native American philosophy and culture, oriental and world comparative philosophy, phenomenology, existentialism, animal rights, and philosophy of science. These are areas of particular faculty research interests but research interests are also inclusive of all areas of philosophy. Chinese philosophy (culture and especially, language) is of particular interest since there is a special effort to create an Oriental Studies program at this university.
The Philosophy Collection intends to support the undergraduate program in philosophy and the day to day research interests of the faculty in the philosophy department.
Description of Existing Collection
NCIP Code: 2b monographs; 2a periodicals
Philosophy materials are cataloged in the following Library of Congress classification areas: B 1-5379 (Philosophy, General); BC 1 - 199 (Logic); BD 10-701 (Speculative Philosophy); BH 1-301 (Aesthetics); BJ 1-2195 (Ethics; Social Usages, Etiquette).
The Philosophy collection currently contains approximately 8,675 monographic titles and 48 periodical titles, 35 of which are current, largely in the B-BD and BH-BJ classifications. Subject access on the Library online catalog is adequate and see and see also references are provided when necessary. Most of the monographs on Philosophy are held in the Main Stacks.
The monograph collection adequately supports the undergraduate program. The Library is currently collecting monographs at level 2b. The focus of the collection is on Western philosophy. Material on the history of philosophy, including major philosophers and schools of philosophy, and the major branches of philosophy is fairly well represented. The collection includes com
The Library is currently collecting periodicals at level 2a. The Library holds 48, 35 of which are current, of the most representative philosophy periodicals, and com
Access to a range of major multidisci
The Reference collection includes most of the major reference works on philosophy. The collection includes a wide selection of reference tools such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, handbooks, and directories of philosophy. Reference material is non-circulating but patrons are allowed to photocopy material if desired. Publications of societies, proceedin
Current Collecting Intensity
NCIP Code: 2b monographs; 2a periodicals
The library will continue to collect monographs at level 2b to support the undergraduate program and faculty research interests in the department.
The current collecting practice is to acquire current material. Retrospective buying will be done when necessary to purchase classical works not owned. English will be the primary language of collection but Spanish material will also be included; and selective works in German, French, Italian, and Russian if not yet translated. The emphasis is on acquiring material on Western thought. All chronological periods are of interest.
An approval
When possible we will strengthen our periodical collection to better meet the research needs of students. Of particular faculty interest are those journals of an oriental and world comparative nature.
Types of material excluded are textbooks, works about philosophy written on a popular level, and theses and dissertations from other institutions.
Desired Collection Level
NCIP Code: 2b periodicals
The major goal is to develop the journal collection to level 2b from a level of 2a. At present, there is no specific amount allocated for the acquisition of serials. When funding permits, the journal collection will be reviewed and steps will be taken to develop the journal collection to include all key journals on primary topics.
Other Resources
Items not owned by the Library are available via the Interlibrary Loan Department.
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