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Guide to Sources in Political Science

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Call Numbers | Guides to the Literature and Other Library Sources | Indexes and Abstracts | Encyclopedias and Dictionaries | Handbooks, Yearbooks, and Almanacs | Research Handbooks  | Directories and Guides | Statistical Sources | Biographies | Primary Documents

All titles listed in this guide are located in the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library Reference Collection unless otherwise noted.

The location SSHEL RCC indicates the item is held in the SSHEL Reference Circulating Collection.

Additional material of interest for researchers in political science is described in the Guide to the Arms Control Collection and the Guide to Statistical Sources in the Social Sciences, Health, and Education.

Please direct all comments Lynne Rudasill.

Questions? Ask a librarian.

 

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Call Numbers

 

 

Guides to the Literature

016.32 H72i 2005
Information Sources of Political Science. 5th ed. 2005.
Covers the last twenty years of change in the world of political science. Divided into nine chapters, this resource provides annotations for nearly 2,000 print and electronic publications. Covers such topics as U.S. politics and government, international relations and organizations, comparative politics, and general social sciences. Includes a subject and title index.

327 K121i
International Relations, International Security, and Comparative Politics: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources. 2008.
This volume contains 900 annotated entries on more than 1,300 English-language reference sources on the fields of international relations, comparative politics and international security published from 1996 to 2006. Includes author, title and subject indexes.

 

Indexes and Abstracts

016.32 In8 (SSHEL RCC)
International Bibliography of Political Science. 1953-.  (online)
Indexes an extensive number of articles, government reports, pamphlets, and books in various languages, though publications in English predominate. Most journals are indexed selectively. Arranged in five major sections. Includes author and title index.

International Political Science Abstracts. 1952-. (online)
Provides non-evaluative abstracts from political science journals Index from around the world. Abstracts are grouped according to broad tables topic and are accessible through a subject index. Most abstracts are in English though some are in French.

Lexis Nexis Congressional Universe. 1998-. (online)
Full text of pending legislation, U.S. laws, testimony before Congress and other Congressional documents.

Public Affairs Information Service Bulletin, (PAIS International with Archive). 1915-. (online)
This index, international in scope, covers topics related to public affairs, policy, and politics. PAIS is available through the library's online system.

Worldwide Political Science Abstracts. 1975-. (online)
Provides citations, abstracts, and indexing of the international serials literature in political science and its complementary fields, including international relations, law, and public administration/policy.

 

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

*NOTE: There are several political encyclopedias and dictionaries which focus on specific nations and geographic regions. They are generally located in the 320.9* call number ranges, as well as the 900's.

CQ Voting and Elections. (online)
Contains analyses and historical material on the American voter, major and minor political parties, campaigns and elections, and historical and modern races for Congress, the presidency, and governorships.

Q.323.097303 C499
Civil Rights in the United States. 2000. 2 vols.
Addresses theory as well as historical perspective on civil rights. Volume One includes historical information on the Bill of Rights. Volume Two includes an index. A bibliography follows each entry.

320.03 C748 2009
Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. 3rd ed. 2009.
Covers "political institutions, concepts, leaders, and thinkers" in 1700 entries. A single appendix lists principal office holders by country. This new edition adds over 200 new entries, including ethnic cleansing, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), direct action, and expanded coverage of the Middle East.

Congress A to Z. 5th ed. 2008. (online)
Provides basic contextual information needed to understand Congress today as well as historically. Includes biographies, committee explanations, and political terminology. Arranged alphabetically with a reference section that includes lists of members and leaders, the constitution of the United States, and a selected bibliography. A subject index is included.

Congress and the Nation. 1965-. (online)
Contains details about events, trends, and controversies in the U.S. Congress and the presidency, as well as reviews and analysis of legislation and policy during each Congressional session and presidential term.

361.003 An49d
A Dictionary of Civil Society, Philanthropy and the Non-Profit Sector. 2005.
Covers 600 terms arranged alphabetically in the field of philanthropy, civil society, non-profit organizations and NGOs. Entries include conceptual terms, organizations, and people in the field. While the focus is on the USA, important international organizations and people have been included.

327.203 B459 2003
A Dictionary of Diplomacy. 2nd ed. 2003.
A guide to the articles of the Vienna Convention, the articles of the Vienna Convention on the Diplomatic Relations (1961), and a bibliography are included. The dictionary itself gives brief explanations of words, phrases, events, titles, names of people and places, and organizations pertinent to, and in the context of, diplomacy.

303.62503 T325e 2004
Dictionary of Terrorism. 2004.
A brief conceptual map gives an idea of the activities, concepts, counter-terrorism terms, events, future, groups, ideas, and individuals that are covered in this book. The glossary gives translations of commonly used non-English terms in the context of terrorism. The dictionary itself provides extensive explanation of terms, people, groups and movements. A brief historical timeline of terrorism provides a chronology of major terrorist events. Includes an index of terms and a bibliography.

Elections A to Z. 3rd ed. 2008. (online)
An election encyclopedia, this volume seeks to explain how campaigns and elections function within the United States. Includes biographies, political terminology, and explanations of topics such as campaign finance reform and presidential debates. Arranged alphabetically by topic, with a reference section that includes lists of statistical election data and a selected bibliography. A subject index is included.

324.24055 En191
Encyclopaedia of European Elections. 2007.
Examines European elections from multiple disciplines' perspectives, including political science, law, sociology, anthropology, and history. Articles analyze the contexts and outcomes of European elections both in individual nations and European Parliament. Entries cover themes and topics related to elections as well as individual countries' electoral systems and results. Tables of data are included throughout the encyclopedia.

364.15103 En19
Encyclopedia of Genocide. 1999. 2 vols.  (online)
Defines names, places, and events associated with genocide, with major sections on the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and the process, detection, denial, and prevention of genocide. Coverage spans perpetrators and victims of all known genocides.

Q. 303.48203 En195
Encyclopedia of Globalization. 2007. 4 vols.
Contains nearly 400 entries, from acid rain to youth culture, to cover the multiple aspects of globalization affecting sectors of society around the world. Each volume includes a list of entries, reader's guide, and a cumulative index. All entries contain a bibliography and recommend related entries or documents. The fourth volume also includes primary source documents related to the entries, the CSGR Globalisation Index that measures dimensions of globalization per country, and an additional selected bibliography arranged by subject areas.

320.03 En19 2004
Encyclopedia of Government and Politics. 2nd ed. 2004. 2 vols.
A wide-ranging encyclopedia covering topics such as political theory; postmodernism and repudiation of grand theory; contemporary political systems; political institutions, political forces and political processes; and issues in contemporary world politics. Also covers a variety of issues such as terrorism, race and racism in politics, health policies, religion in politics, refugees, the United Nations, international law, international institutions. A general index covering both volumes is included at the end of volume two.

323.03 L266e
Encyclopedia of Human Rights Issues: Since 1945. 1999.
Offers comprehensive information on human rights issues since 1945. Over 400 entries on incidents and violations, instruments and initiatives, countries and human rights activists. Includes three appendices, (Selected Human Rights Groups, International Bill of Human Rights, and Convention on the Rights of the Child), a glossary and index.

Q.327.1203 En195
Encyclopedia of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. 2005. 2 vols.
Provides a history of intelligence and counterintelligence, with an emphasis on modern times. Entries cover the people, organizations, and places of primary interest, a "Timeline of Intelligence," an appendix containing excerpts from the 9/11 Commission Report, and an index.

338.9003 En192
Encyclopedia of International Development. 2005.
Comprised of 600 entries that summarize conceptual debates on international development and development theory. Discusses a broad range of issues, concepts, and people, as well as persons involved in the United Nations and World Bank, but does not list every developmental or governmental organization. Includes index and cross references.

327.03 En 195
Encyclopedia of International Relations and Global Politics. 2005.
Provides thematic coverage of the main areas of international relations including diplomacy, military affairs, international political economy and international relations theory. Contains entries of contested terms such as 'just war' and 'humanitarian intervention.' An index and cross-references assist in navigating the encyclopedia.

Q.305.80097303 En19
Encyclopedia of Minorities in American Politics. 2000. 2 vols.
Focuses on the political history and contemporary impact of four of the largest minority groups in the U.S., respectively African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans. About 2,000 entries cover people, events, court cases, movements, and organizations. Longer entries discuss some of the key issues such as affirmative action, immigration, bilingual education, and political participation. Appendices include primary documents and directory information on organizations. Each volume contains an index.

320.5303 At53e
Encyclopedia of Modern American Extremists and Extremist Groups. 2004.
"The intention of this work is to identify and define the most influential and significant extremists, extremist organizations, and extremist events in the United States in the past half century." Seventy-five percent of the material deals with extremist activity since 1980. Includes a chronology of events since 1866, a bibliography and index.

320.03 En192
Encyclopedia of Political Theory. 2010. 3 vols. (online)
This three-volume encyclopedia provides an introduction to important topics in political theory – including significant figures, concepts, and theoretical constructs – with an emphasis on current scholarship. Each of the 475 entries are signed, cross-referenced, and contain a list of further readings, as well as a brief definition of the term in addition to a more detailed discussion of its history and importance. Entries are arranged alphabetically and cover topics such as Karl Marx, life, and absolutism, in categories such as ancient thought, liberal theory, and self and community. Contains list of entries, reader’s guide, and index.

Q.320.03 En194
Encyclopedia of Politics : The Left and the Right. 2005. 2 vols. (online)
Over 450 entries about individuals, movements, political parties, and ideological principles are divided into Volume I: The Left and Volume 2: The Right. While emphasizing the current era, there are many entries for significant thinkers and issues of the 19th and 20th centuries. Also covered are the topics of education, healthcare, and the media. There is a Timeline of Politics and a Reader's Guide which lists people, countries, laws, parties, issues and movements.

Q.320.97303 En196 2008
Encyclopedia of Public Administration and Public Policy. 2008. 2 vols.
Contains entries on the major theories, issues, and concepts within the fields of public administration and public policy. Each article provides an introduction to the subject matter, as well as a list of references. Includes a full index.

Q.328.73003 En19
Encyclopedia of the American Legislative System: Studies of the Principal Structures, Processes, and Policies of Congress and the State Legislatures Since the Colonial Era. 1994.
This 3-volume encyclopedia is divided into six topical areas: the historical context of the legislative system; recruitment and elections; structures and processes; behavior; legislatures and public policy; and legislatures within the political system.

Q.324.273403 En19
The Encyclopedia of the Republican Party (v.1-2) / The Encyclopedia of the Democratic Party (v.3-4). 1997. 4 vols.
Provides in-depth coverage of the people, places, ideas, and ideologies that have contributed to both the Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S. Describes the history, issues and ideologies, biographies, conventions, platforms, and elections of the two parties. Most articles are followed by a short bibliography. Several appendices are included. General, biographical, geographical, and gender and minority indices are also included.

Encyclopedia of Terrorism. 2011. (online)
Offers brief descriptions and analyses of the most serious and influential terrorist personalities and organizations as well as the most significant motivations and victims of terrorism. While focused on modern terrorism, occasional historical examples are used. Includes a timeline of major acts of terrorism 1946-2000, a day-by-day record of the U.S. and international reaction to September 11, 2001, bibliography and index.

341.2303 Os5e 2002
Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements. 3rd ed. 2003. 4 vols.
The focus "is on how the United Nations and its institutions work, and on the results of their work," rather than on detailed historical background of disputes and bargaining declarations and treaties. Volume 1 contains a comprehensive list of articles, and Volume 4 contains a comprehensive index.

From Suffrage to the Senate: An Encyclopedia of American Women in Politics. 2006. (online)
Chronicles the American woman's quest for political power and social equality. Includes biographies of the American women that have served in the U. S. House and Senate, the judiciary and the U. S. cabinet. The second volume contains a special documents section of texts and speeches, statistics on women government officials at both the state and national level, and a detailed chronology of women's political progress over the past 150 years. Includes biographical references and a comprehensive index.

Q.327.73009 G51
Global Perspectives on the United States: A Nation By Nation Survey. 2007.
A basic overview of 140 nations' history with and perspectives on the United States. Sources of international opinions include authors' interviews and surveys as well as trends and patterns in official government publications, organizational reports, and the media. Entries contain a statistical snapshot of each country represented and suggestions for further reading, and both volumes include a timeline of notable international events that might influence perspectives on the U.S.

Q. 348.732 St295l
Landmark Legislation 1774-2002: Major U.S. Acts and Treaties. 2003.
Provides information about the most important laws and treaties approved by Congress since the time of the Continental Congress. All entries are placed within one or more of over forty subject areas to track action in these different areas, such as continental development, health and welfare, and economic issues. Each chapter focuses on a specific Congress from the Continental Congress through the 107th ending at the start of 2003. Each chapter is introduced by an historical essay setting the actions of the legislators in the context of the times, followed by an overview of the major enactments. References and an index are provided.

320.03 Scr84d 2007
The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought. 3nd ed. 2007. (online)
This third edition defines 250 new terms relating to contemporary and historic political thought. With 1790 total entries, the dictionary is an accessible reference on political ideologies, major thinkers, and political institutions. Some ephemeral terms in the second edition have been excluded from this publication, though others with less contemporary relevance have been retained because of the theory or theorist's influence on political thought.

320.97303 P759
Political Encyclopedia of U.S. States and Regions. 2009. 2 vols.
This two volume encyclopedia holds practical information and conceptual analysis of the roles and functions of state government. The work provides state-by-state and regional overviews of government and politics. Features include: substantive essays; in-depth profiles of each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories; A to Z content organization; and a detailed section on data and statistics emphasizing historical and demographic trends that have helped shape regional and state government and politics. Each entry provides a bibliography for further reading. Index and thematic outline are also provided.

324.63 P759
The Politics of Electoral Systems. 2005.
Explains how electoral systems work in each of the countries discussed while looking at the politicization of electoral institutions as well as electoral reform. Also examined are the strategic incentives that electoral systems provide to voters, candidates, and parties. Twenty-two countries are discussed according to their frameworks: single member constituency systems, mixed systems, closed list systems, and preferential list systems and PR-STV. Includes five appendixes, a glossary, and an extensive index.

The Presidency A to Z. 2008. (online)
Provides both historical and modern information about the role of the presidency in the United States. Covers the origins, powers, and limitations of the office as well as analyses of policies made by each president and their historical impact. Includes biographical information for each president and other individuals important to the office. Appendices include a listing of presidents and vice presidents, election summaries, presidential cabinets, the Constitution, and a selected bibliography.

973.03 P935
The Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History. 2010. 2 vols.
This work examines the history of politics and political issues of the United States. The encyclopedia is organized alphabetically, and consists of 187 essays from leading scholars. Topics covered fall in such categories as: War and Foreign Policy, Political Parties, Regions, and Mass Culture. Topical chapters within these categories include: Caribbean immigrants and politics, federalism, internet and politics, New Left, and women suffrage. A list of further reading is included at the end of each chapter, as well as cross-reference listing. An index concludes each volume.

 

Handbooks, Yearbooks, and Almanacs

328.73 Al62
The Almanac of American Politics . 1972-. (online)
Excellent, concise coverage of current elected US officials. Covers the presidency, senators, representatives, and governors. Cites election results, individuals' records, and committee memberships. Organized by state, indexed by topic and personal name.

328.77300202 AL62 2006
The Almanac of Illinois Politics. 2006.
Provides information about Illinois' legislators, including biographies, contact information, voting records, and campaign information. Also includes information about Illinois demographics, campaign finance, and essays on key issues relating to politics in the state. Maps and charts accompany the text. A comprehensive index of government officials and list of resources are included.

328.73 P759
CQ's Politics in America. 1990-1998. (Electronic 2000-.) (online)
Published every two years to coincide with the new Congress, this source provides commentary and data about members of Congress, organized by state. Each state listing includes statistical data about the population, charts with recent census date, and information about the state voting system. It also provides a brief biography of the state governor. A map of each state divided into voting districts if also included. For each congressman, there is a detailed biography, contact information, and previous election statistics. Also provides data on campaign financing for each elected official, as well as variety of tables with general statistics about the congress in question. The print resource is arranged by state with an in-depth index. The electronic version provides for keyword searching and limiting by edition (back to 2000), state, political party, or chamber. It allows browsing by state, name, and political party. State maps are also browsable.

328.73 P759
CQ Supreme Court Yearbook. 1989-. (online)
Provides coverage and analysis of every decision from the nation's highest court since the 1989-1990 term.

Q.310 Eu741
Europa World Year Book. 1959-.  (online)
Comprehensive, up-to-date source for general information on countries and international organizations including statistical surveys, as well as demographic and economic statistics.

Handbook of European Union Politics. 2006.  (online)
Collection of essays intended for students and scholars that explores the development of EU politics from a variety of viewpoints. Essays are organized into broad categories covering the theorization of European integration, the EU as polity, politics and policy making in the EU, and the EU constitution in the global political economy. An extensive list of references accompanies each essay. A name and subject index are included.

328.773 H19
Handbook of Illinois Government. 1970-.  (online)
Lists current office holders with a description of the structure and functions of Illinois state government. Also includes some historical information.

324.2 H191
Handbook of Party Politics. 2006. (online)
Essays on the major theories, developments, and literature on party politics. Arranged in six sections: Definition of Party, Functions of Party, Party Organization, Party and Society, Parties and the State, and Parties in the Future. Most essays take a comparative approach to answering questions about political parties, although some focus on a particular region.

320.014 H191
Handbook of Political Communication Research. 2004.
Provides an overview of the theory, research and current topics of political communication. Organized into six broad divisions: theories and approaches, political messages, media coverage, public opinion, international perspectives and current trends. Each essay includes a list of references. An index is provided.

659.2 H1611
The Handbook of Public Affairs. 2005.  (online)
Describes externalities faced by businesses including politics, regulation, corporate reputation and social responsibility. Topics covered include the relationship between public policy and business performance, public affairs tools and tactics, effective management systems, and case studies. Includes index.

324.273 Ox22
The Oxford Handbook of American Political Parties and Interest Groups. 2010.  (online)
This handbook contains thirty articles written by experts in the field of American political parties and groups. The articles seek to provide critical assessments of various subjects with an emphasis on the possibilities of future research, are arranged in categories such as Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives, Parties in the Electoral Process, and Interest Groups: Bias and Representation. Contains lists of figures, tables, and abbreviations; a comprehensive reference list; and name and subject indices.

330 Ox26
The Oxford Handbook of Political Economy. 2006.  (online)
The handbook is divided into 14 sections on subjects including voting, legislative bodies, constitutional theory, social choice, public economics, macroeconomics, democracy and capitalism, non-democratic regimes, international relations and conflict, and methodology. Many of the essays provide comparative analysis of an issue. Includes a subject index, name index, and references for each essay.

The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. 2006.  (online)
Following an introductory essay, three additional sections cover the characterizations of institutionalism, a study of various political institutions, and reflections on the state of institutionalism in the world. A list of references is included with each essay. The volume contains both name and subject indexes and a list of contributing authors.

The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy. 2006.  (online)
Focuses on the big picture of making and remaking public policy today, offering perspectives on all methods of public policy formation. Chapters touch on the various aspects of public policy, including the institutional and historical background, modes of analysis, instruments, constraints, and evaluation. The handbook concludes with a subject index.

The Oxford Handbook On The United Nations. 2007.  (online)
The handbook offers a comprehensive analysis on the structure and activities of the United Nations. It presents varying perspectives on the UN's work and the historical, legal, political, and administrative details of the organization's multiple roles. Appendices list suggested readings, a map of the UN system, the United Nations charter, the Statute of the International Court of Justice, and Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Also included are subject and personal names indexes.

328 P759
Political Handbook of the World. 1927-.
Discussion of governments, regional issues, and the intergovernmental organizations of the world. Indexed by geographic location, organizational name, and personal name. A chronology of major international events is also included.

320.54 Sa18  (SSHEL RCC)
Sage Handbook of Nations and Nationalism. 2006.  (online)
Organized in three broad sections that examine various concepts and theories of nationhood and nationalism; talk about broad themes and topics from race, religion, and ethnicity to migration, globalization, and sport; and look in detail at nationhood and nationalism in all the major countries and regions of the world. Each chapter includes references. An index is provided.

956.04 Su79 2006
A Survey of Arab-Israeli Relations. 3rd ed. 2006.
This resource provides a comprehensive and impartial review of the events that have shaped the Arab-Israeli dispute in the period between the British Mandate and the present. Divided into four sections, it provides a chronology of Arab-Israeli relations since 1947, two essays (one on Arab-Israeli relations 1947-1967 and the other on Arab-Israeli relations since 1967), a compilation of documents on Palestine, and political profiles of prominent figures in Arab-Israeli relations. A selected bibliography is included.

United States Government Manual. 1935-.  (online)
Provides complete information on agencies in all three branches of the U.S. government as well as semi-official agencies and international organizations in which the U.S. participates. The most recent volume is available in the Reference Library; the ESSL holds the next most recent volume.

303.66083 D929w
War and Children: A Reference Handbook. 2010.
Using large groups of children and young people as combatants has been a tactic used in warfare. This work provides a global overview of this relationship between war and children as well as provides updated information about the globalized impact of war on children. Includes an annotated bibliography of key international organizations; overview of key international documents; chronology of children and war; glossary of key terms; bibliography; and index.

300 W8932 2010
World at Risk: A Global Issues Sourcebook. 2nd ed. 2010.  (online)
The second edition of World at Risk examines global crises that the people of the world face. The work is organized based on six subject categories: Demographics and Settlement; Economics; Environment, Education, Health, and Welfare; Politics and Governance; and Security. Chapters within the larger subject categories include: Immigration, International Finance, Transnational Governance, Human Trafficking, and Drug Trafficking. Each chapter begins with a general analysis of a topic that leads into a more detailed assessment. Maps, data sets, case studies, and list of references are also included within each chapter. Index included.

The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 1981-. (online)
Produced annually for the use of US government officials. Each country entry includes a map, geographical description, and information on the peoples, government, economy and defense of the nation.

 

Research Handbooks

320.18 Sh66c 2011
The Craft of Political Research. 8th ed. 2011.
This volume is an introduction to political science research methods for undergraduate students that provides accessible information on how to conceptualize and conduct political science research. Chapters cover topics such as political theories and research topics, problems of measurement, and introduction to statistics. Selected bibliography, index.

016.32 M363p 2001
Getting Published in Political Science Journals: A Guide for Authors, Editors and Librarians. 5th ed. 2001.
Serves as a resource for faculty, students, journal editors, and librarians interested in finding basic information about 121 journals in the field of political science. Entries include types of articles published, subject areas, and manuscript submission guidelines. Each entry is brief, but provides web and postal addresses.

016.324973 M363h
How to Research Elections. 2000.
Guides researchers through the research process-from choosing a topic and developing a research strategy to finding material and focusing a search. The manual is divided into two parts. The first part analyzes finding tools, such as indexes and abstracting services, and describes many of the secondary and primary sources (newspapers, Internet sites, and online databases) containing information about electoral returns and campaign finance. The bibliography lists important books, with descriptive abstracts, about topics such as the nomination process, campaigns, candidates, campaign finance, media coverage, political parties, the electoral system, and voting participation. Includes an author and title index.

808.06632 Am35s 2006
Style Manual for Political Science. 2006.
Produced by the APSA, this manual is geared specifically to writing in the field of political science. Illustrative examples and sample entries are included throughout the manual. Covers writing style, formats, and guidelines for citing references. Includes suggestions for submitting works for publication.

808.06632 B146w 2012
Writing a Research Paper in Political Science: A Practical Guide to Inquiry, Structure, and Methods. 2nd ed. 2012.
This book aims to fill the void in the literature on research and writing in the field of political science, especially in the context of a research paper. Chapters are organized in the order of steps that should be taken to write a research paper. Chapters include topics such as definition of a research paper, proper citations, literature review, effective arguments, revisions, and protecting yourself from criticism. Each chapter features a suggested calendar, exercises, and a checklist to help in the process of writing a research paper.

 

Directories and Guides

Q. 324.73085 L349c
Civil Liberties and the State: a Documentary and Reference Guide. 2011.
This work is organized chronologically and by subject matter, and it is intended to provide the reader with an understanding, through examination of historical documents, legislation and court cases, of “the history, evolution, scope, and consequences surrounding the relationship between our civil liberties and arbitrary state action.” Each section provides an outline, excerpts of the original text, and an analysis of the document, law, or case in question. This work also contains an extensive list of additional resources and an index.

328.73 C762
Congressional Staff Directory. 1959-.
Directory of Congressional staffs, including subcommittees and committee staffs. Contains biographical information on prominent personnel. Issued spring, summer, fall.

Q.322.4203 Ex89
Extremist Groups: Information for Students. 2006. 2 vols.
Provides facts and insights into the history, philosophy, and motivations driving 150 extremist organizations. Arranged by group name, each entry is divided into an overview, history, philosophy and tactics, leadership, key events, other perspectives, summary and sources. Each volume includes a list of sources, a glossary and index.

Guide to the Presidency. 2008.  (online)
Contains short, bibliographical sketches of each president and vice president, with tables of the popular and electoral votes for each presidential and vice presidential candidate since 1789, with an adjoining list of also-rans. Includes an overview of the general constitutional provisions providing for a chief executive, the evolution of the office, and the many roles of the president and vice president. Other features include a document section, containing such items as the Articles of Impeachment for Clinton and the text of FDR's First Inaugural Address. Index is included.

Q. 329.023 Sch3h 2012
History of the American Presidential Elections, 1789-2008. 4th ed. 3 vols. 2012.
This three-volume set provides extensive information on all U.S. presidential elections from 1789 to 2008. Each section incorporates an overview of the election, including election dates, winning candidates, election results, vote counts (both popular and electoral), voter turnout, methods of campaigning, and the trajectory of the campaign. Lists of leading candidates, ballots/nominees, primary results, and party platforms are provided. The impact of elections, key issues and events, resulting election changes, defining quotations, and the lasting legacy of the campaign are addressed. Each section also includes an extensive essay on the election, a chronology, quotations from historical writings, and a selected bibliography. Reproductions of paintings, photographs, campaign documents, political cartoons, and newspapers appear throughout.

Official Congressional Directory. 1887-. (online)
Biographies of US senators and representatives. Includes addresses and committee memberships. Also contains maps of congressional districts, profiles of diplomatic agencies, and personal name and subject indexes.

Q.322.42025 R328 2004
Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World. 4th ed. 2004.
Focuses on the activities of groups which seek to challenge the stability of the country through illegal actions and/or violence. Groups represented include those residing both internally and, in some cases, outside the country affected by their beliefs and actions. Entries provide background information and a discussion of the current situation. Includes alphabetical index of group names.

The Supreme Court A to Z. 2007.  (online)
Provides basic information, both historical and modern, needed to understand the role of the Supreme Court and justices in shaping American society. Includes biographical information for each justice, past and present, exploration of the issues surrounding landmark cases, and explanations of constitutional principles and legal concepts which guide the Supreme Court's decision making processes. Appendices include a listing of historical milestones, Supreme Court nominations, seating chart of the justices, how to read a court citation guide, the Constitution, and a selected bibliography.

Washington Information Directory.  (online)
Provides verified and updated mailing addresses, phone and fax numbers, e-mail and Web site addresses, contact names, and descriptions for more than 10,000 federal government offices, regulatory agencies, congressional committees, judicial offices, public interest groups, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations thousands of organizations.

Q.351.2 L1761 (Main Reference)
Worldwide Government Directory with Intergovernmental Organizations. 1987-.
Identifies the leaders of 170 nations and the major international organizations of the world. Includes addresses, phone numbers, and forms of address. Arranged by country.

 

Statistical Sources

Below are just a few of the many statistical sources relevant to the field of political science. For additional statistical sources, consult a reference librarian or refer to the Guide to Statistics in the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library.

323.1168073 A162 2010
The Almanac of Latino Politics. 6th ed. 2010.
This almanac contains profiles of Latino participation in politics from individual voters to elected officials. The first eight chapters provide statistics on nationwide voting habits and election trends; the following fifty chapters provide state profiles. Brightly-colored charts and maps accompany detailed data on the voting habits of Latino/as, as well as African and Asian Americans. Contains a bibliography organized by state.

CQ Vital Statistics On American Politics. 2005.  (online)
Offers more than 230 tables and charts covering the full spectrum of American politics dating back to 1788. Includes introductory material to help readers understand and interpret statistical material and an annotated reference guide.

Factfinder (online)
The go-to source for demographic information about the United States. It’s possible to browse or search for statistics by topic, geography, race and ethnic groups, or industry codes.

LexisNexis Statistical   (online)
Provides statistical data from U.S. government publications from 1973, state and private sources from 1980, and international organizations from 1983.

 

Biographies

303.484 L269a
A to Z of American Women Leaders and Activists. 2002.
Provides information on American women leaders and activists. Entries are categorized alphabetically as well as by areas of activity. The essays offer information about each woman's life and ‘further reading' suggestions. The source includes an index.

320.092273 A35 2002
American Political Scientists: A Dictionary. 2002.
Provides brief biographical information and a description of the individual's major works, as well as a selected list of other publications. Includes two appendices: one organized by degree-granting institution, and another organized by the subjects' subfields. There is also a general subject index.

353.040922 B52
Biographical Directory of the United States Executive Branch: 1774-1989. 1990.
Provides biographical information on over 550 men and women who have served on the cabinets of US presidents. Includes presidents, vice-presidents, and cabinet heads. Biographies also include selective bibliographies of major and secondary works. Comprehensive index.

 

Primary Documents

CQ Historic Documents Series. 1972-.  (online)
Contains 35 volumes of primary sources. Each volume includes approximately one hundred documents covering the most significant events of the year. These documents range from presidential speeches, international agreements, and Supreme Court decisions to U.S. governmental reports, scientific findings, and cultural discussions.

341.5 D632 2001
Dispute Settlement in Public International Law: Texts and Materials. 2001. 2 vols.
Contains primary documents used as the basis of treaties and other international dispute settlements. Areas of international law covered include general agreements, human rights, treaties concerning economic cooperation, treaties of a technical nature, wars and international crimes, and special agreements. Many primary documents are followed by bibliographical notes. Most documents are in English, but some are in French, German, or Spanish with no translation available within the work. Contains an exhaustive table of contents and a detailed index.

327.4 Eu748
European Foreign Policy: Key Documents. 2000.
Provides a collection of the key documents produced by European Political Cooperation (EPC) and its successor, the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Includes documents such as the difficult-to-find Fouchet Plans and the Stuttgart Solemn Declaration. Linking commentary and cross references help understand the origins and context of each document. Book sections include: Origins of EPC, institutional developments of EPC from 1969-1997, security and the evolution of the WEU, and policy developments. Includes a short bibliography and index.

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