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Political Science

Policy Last Updated:

Purpose

The Collection Development policy is used as a guide to shape relevant collections and to ensure consistency in collection development. The decision to purchase library materials is primarily the responsibility of the Collections Librarian in consultation with faculty in the Department.

This policy has been developed by Linda Cracknell, the Collections Librarian, in cooperation with and endorsed by the Department Faculty Library Liaison and the Department Chair.

Focus

This update of an earlier collections policy reflects the changes in course emphasis in Political Science and changes in the Library of Congress classification. The policy aims to reflect the cross disciplinary aspects of the program at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

When purchasing, preference is given to materials that support the undergraduate program and the three fields at the MA level: Canadian Political Studies, Comparative Politics/International Relations, and Public Opinion and Electoral Studies.

Scope

  • Language: works written or translated into English are preferred
  • Place of Publication: priority is given to materials published in North America and the UK
  • Dates of Publication: emphasis is placed on recently published works
  • Chronological Period: emphasis is placed on the contemporary period (late 20th and 21st centuries)
  • Geographical Areas: priority is given to works with a North American International focus, although materials relating to both western and non-western international policy processes are purchased
  • Publishers: scholarly trade and university publishers are given priority with selected emphasis given to Government and NGO organizations; popular trade publishers are considered for academic-level material

Types, formats, and readership of materials collected

  • Materials with advanced academic-level readership are selected
  • Web-based formats for reference sources, journals and indexing sources are preferred. Print is considered for reason of cost, availability, expected use or long term access.
  • Single copies of books in print formats are generally selected. Web-based formats are selected on a title by title basis, especially if the title is of interest to users at multiple Laurier campuses. Duplication of print across Laurier campuses is generally avoided.
  • Types of materials not purchased include: textbooks, abridgements, study aids, limited editions, works by vanity presses, reprints and partial contents (eg. single issues of journals, electronic versions of single chapters of books). Non-scholarly publications are usually avoided.
  • Government documents, proceedings of conferences, symposia, international congresses will be considered when they support the current program

Subjects collected and collecting priorities

Collecting priorities are categorized into 3 levels:

A - highest emphasis

The collection includes major published materials required to support the core teaching and research at the highest degree level offered by the Department.

B - secondary emphasis

The collection includes a selection of materials to complement the discipline as a whole, although it may not be a primary focus for courses.

C - selective emphasis

Materials, including reference materials and basic journals and indexes are collected to introduce and define an area.

Subjects collected

Classification

Collecting priority

Environmental Policy

GE 170-190

A

Environmentalism. Green Movement.

GE 195-199

A

Aboriginal Politics

E75-99, GN, KE, JF

A

Free Trade. Protectionism.

HF 1701-2701

B

Political Ideologies

HX 1-970

C

Law in Canada

KE 1-9450

A

General Legislative and Executive Papers

J 1-981

C

Political Science (General)

JA 1-70

C

Local Government. Municipal Government.

JS 39-8500

C

Canada

JS 1701-1800

B

Social and Public Welfare (Human rights)

  

Refugee problems

HV 640-645

A

By Race or Ethic Group

HV 3176-3199

A

Immigrants

HV 4005-4013

A

Theories of the State

  

Modern

JC 131-273

B

Nationalism. Nation State.

JC 311-314

B

Political Geography

JC 319-323

B

Sovereignty

JC 327

B

Consent of the Governed

JC 328.2

B

Patriotism

JC 329

C

Symbolism

JC 345-347

C

Forms of the State

JC 348-497

B

Purpose, functions, and relations of the State

JC 571-605

B

Political Institutions and Public Administration

  

Functions of Government

JF 20-2112

B

Comparative Government

JF 20-1177

A

United States

JK 1-9993

B

Canada

JL 1-500

B

Latin America, Mexico, Central and South America

JL 599-3899

C

Europe

JN 1-9689

C

Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific Area

JQ 21-6651

C

Colonies and Colonization

JV 1-9480

C

International migration

JV 6001-9480

B

Emigration

JV 6091-6124

B

Immigration

JV 6201-6347

B

United States, Canada

JV 6403-7359

B

International Relations

  

General

JZ 5-2060

B

State and Territory

JZ 3674-3875

B

International organizations and associations

JZ 4835-5160

B

Promotion of Peace

JZ 5511 - JS 6060

A

Global Political military issues

JZ 6360 - JZ 6530

A

Consortial purchases with the TriUniversity Group of Libraries (Guelph, Waterloo, Laurier university libraries), with the Ontario Council of University Libraries, and on a national level, are pursued.

Page Owner: Hélène LeBlanc

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