Library Materials in the Social Sciences

Social Sciences Information

LSC 541

Spring, 2010

Dr. Donna L. Gilton Course Time: Th 4:00-6:45

115 Rodman Hall Meeting Place: Rodman Hall

(401)874- 4630 E-mail: dgilton@uri.edu

Office Hours: T., Th., 1-3

LSC 541 is designed to introduce students to research and other issues in the social sciences, as well as some of the more specialized information in this area. This course will emphasize these aspects of history, geography, political science, law, economics, sociology, anthropology, folklore and popular culture, communications, and psychology.

-History, development and parameters of the field

-Research

- Traditional and emerging areas of research

- Research methodologies

-Information needs of

Academic researchers

The general public

-Librarianship in the specific field

-Materials in the field

-The most important materials

-How to select materials

A number of occupations and professions, such as business management, education, library science, social work, and public administration draw heavily from the literature of the social sciences and attempt to apply this literature. This course will investigate some similarities and differences in how academics and practitioners in these fields do research, create their own literature, and attempt to apply this literature "in the real world".

Last, this course will look at the impact of new areas of study on the social sciences. We will investigate the creation and development of new disciplines, in general, as well as the formation of new interdisciplinary departments and research institutes in fields such as area and ethnic studies and social issues such as peace studies or conflict resolution.

Any student with a documented disability is welcome to contact me as early in the semester as possible so that we may arrange reasonable accommodations. As part of this process, please be in touch with Disability Services for Students office at 330 Memorial Union. 874-2098.

Illness Due to Flu
The H1N1 Flu Pandemic may impact classes this semester. If any of us develop flu-like symptoms, we are being advised to stay home until the fever has subsided for 24 hours. So, if you exhibit such symptoms, please do not come to class. Notify me at 874-xxxx or xxx@uri.edu of your status, and we will communicate through the medium we have established for the class. We will work together to ensure that course instruction and work is completed for the semester.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted simple methods to avoid transmission of illness. These include: covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; frequently washing your hands to protect from germs; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and staying home when you are sick. For more information, please view www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm> . URI information on the H1N1 will be posted on the URI website at www.uri.edu/news/H1N1 <http://www.uri.edu/news/H1N1> , with links to the www.cdc.gov <http://www.cdc.gov> site.

RELEVANCE OF LSC 541 TO OTHER COURSES AND TO THE FIELD

1. It is a necessary course for all future librarians planning to specialize in any area of the social sciences.

2. It is an important and useful course for most students specializing in adult reference services in public or academic libraries, especially for those focusing in the social sciences and the humanities. It will supplement Library Materials in the Humanities and similar courses.

3. This course will serve as a foundation for more specialized LSC courses in law librarianship, business reference, and government publications.

REQUIRED TEXTS

ALA. Guide to Reference – Social and Behavioral Sciences. URI Libraries. Reference Databases. General. http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=842967&mgid=85596

Herron, Nancy (general editor). The Social Sciences: A Cross-Disciplinary Guide to Selected Sources. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2002.

Other readings, as assigned.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Social Issues in the Social Sciences 20%

Choose a social issue important to our society, today. (We will list some on the board.) As you learn about the literature of history, geography, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, one profession, and at least one new discipline, check indexes, abstracts, handbooks, encyclopedias, and other sources to determine the following:

a. Is my subject covered by the discipline or profession, at all? If so, in what ways?

b. What aspects of my topic do scholars in different fields focus on?

c. What kinds of research methodologies do they bring to the subject?

d. What conclusions do they reach?

e. What can this ultimately mean to average citizens?

Keep a brief note on this every week as you do your readings and learn your sources. A paper summarizing all of this will be due on Apr. 27, 2010 the last day of class.

2. Law Project 25%

Find laws related to either an ongoing social issue or to an event in the news. (You may also pick a subject of personal interest to you, but check with me, first.) Find and analyze legislation, regulations, and court cases that relate to each other and on your subject. Also, Shepardize at least one court case to see if the law is still in effect.

Due: Mar. 2, 2010

3. Oral Research Report 20%

Do an oral research report in one of these areas:

a. A TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE, such as

history sociology

geography anthropology

political science communications economics psychology

folklore or popular culture

Look at Dissertation Abstracts and /or professional journals in the field and report on the following:

-What are the major subdivisions of the discipline?

-On what topics are people doing research?

-What methodologies are they using to do this research? (Emphasize this.)

-What affect may this research have on society?

b. A PROFESSION THAT DRAWS ON SOCIAL SCIENCE LITERATURE

Examples would include:

Library science

Social work

Public administration

Urban planning

Public health

Look at Dissertation Abstracts and professional journals to determine and report on the following:

- What are the major subdivisions of the profession?

- From what traditional discipline(s) do they draw on as the foundation of their literature?

- What are academics in the profession doing research on? What are practitioners doing research on? What are the major problems that the profession is trying to solve?

- What methodologies do researchers in the population use to do their research? What fields are they drawn from?

- What are contributions of the profession, in terms of research results and methodology that are unique to the particular profession?

- How does the professional literature compare to that of education? Library science or another field?

DUE: When field is discussed in class

4. Electronic Sources in the Social Sciences and Professions: A Lecture and Demonstration 20%

Choose a traditional discipline, a new discipline, or a profession that will be covered in this course. Describe and show major electronic information sources related to your discipline or field. These can be in the form of Internet sites, online databases, and CD-ROMs and other formats. You should also pass out a brief, annotated bibliography (or webliography) on these sources.

DUE: When field is discussed in class

5a. The Research Institute 10%

Choose a major social problem or issue to investigate as part of a committee. Find out the following:

(1). Has anybody started a research institute to address this problem? Where is it (or are they) located? What is the history of the institute(s)? What are their activities? Who works for the institute(s) and what disciplines are they from?

(2). Are there academic departments (such as "Peace Studies") that address the issue you are looking at? What disciplines do the professors from the department come from? What else can you say about that department and similar ones?

(3). Considering Keresztesi's theory, at what stage would you say your field is in? Is it simply a field with a few committed scholars? Or is it becoming an established discipline? What organizations support your area? What is the state of the written literature? Are there newsletters, professional journals, texts, encyclopedias, etc.?

Form a committee with 1-3 other classmates to investigate your field or issue. Divide up the work described above, but keep a diary of your activities and findings to pass in. Before April 20, 2010, meet once or twice as a committee to pull your findings together. Also, in one meeting, pretend that you are trying to establish a research institute on your topic at URI. How would you go about the process of doing this? Which professors would you approach to be part of the institute? Where may you apply for funds? What would you like to see as the result of our institute's activities? You will be asked to report on all your activities as a committee during our last two class sessions. Your own diary and results will also be due April 27, 2010.

5b. Development in Studies 10%

Form a committee of several students to investigate women's studies, African-American studies or a similar discipline. Read books about the discipline in question and consult reference tools to find out the following:

(1). Schools offering concentrations in this field - emphases, courses given, etc.

(2). Professional organizations in the field, their philosophy, publications, and

activities

(3). The state of the literature in the field - existence of newsletters, periodicals, books, periodicals, etc.

(4). Where the field currently is in its development, according to Keresztesi's theory.

Divide up the work among yourselves, but be sure to keep a diary and a list of individual findings to pass in. Combine your findings among yourselves and report your joint findings to the class by April 27, 2010.

6. The Future(s)? of LSC 541 5%

This is the last time that LSC 541 will be taught, at least in this format. How should GSLIS teach about the materials and issues covered in this course? If you were designing a course like this, how would you do it? Should this course be combined with LSC 540? LSC 543 covers government sources, a couple of other courses cover law sources, and LSC 539 covers business. How can other disciplines studied in this course be incorporated into other courses? How do the recent major changes in information technology affect the way social scientists do research, as well as related information services? A whole other question, would you encourage friends and classmates to take this course or a similar one and if so, in what ways? You will be asked to write a brief 1-2 page paper addressing these issue and we will also discuss this on the last day of class. DUE April 27, 2010

COURSE OUTLINE

Social Science Information

LSC 541

January 26, 2010

Introduction to the Social Sciences

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – Social and Behavioral Sciences. http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=842967&mgid=85596

Guide to Reference – General Social and Behavioral Sciences. http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=842973&mgid=85597

Herron. "General Social Sciences." pp. 3-44.

Quinn, Brian. “Web-Based Reference Resources for the Social Sciences.” The Reference Librarian. No. 91/92, 2005 pp. 211-234. Also in The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web. (edited by William J. Frost) The Haworth Press, 2005

Supplementary Reading

Li. "Social Science in General." pp. 1- 155.

February 2, 2010

History

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – History and Area Studies. http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=814711&mgid=87876

Herron. "History". pp. 173-194

Dalton, M.S. et. al. “Historians and Their Information Sources.” College and Research Libraries. V. 65, no. 5 (September, 2004) pp. 400-425.

Dennis, N. “Using Inquiry Methods to Foster Information Literacy Partnerships.” Reference Services Review. V. 29 no. 2 (2001) pp. 122-131.

Recommended Readings:

Li. pp. 350-386

DUE: Research in Political Science

Electronic Resources in Political Science

February 23, 2010

Law

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – Law http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=866422&mgid=86786

Herron. “Law and Justice” pp. 195-233

Recommended Readings:

Li. "Economics.' pp. 216-236

DUE:Law project

Research in Economics (oral report)

Electronic Resources in Economics

March 9, 2010

Business

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – Economics and Business http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=815411&mgid=86259

Herron."Business." pp. 121-171

Golderman, Gail M. and Bruce Connolly. “Briefcases and Databases: Web-Based Reference Sources for Business Librarians and Their Client Communities. The Reference Librarian nos. 91/92, 2005 pp. 235-261. Also in The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web. Haworth Press, 2005 pp. 235-261.

Recommended Readings:

Li. "Business." pp. 178-215

March 16, 2010

Sociology

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – Sociology http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=835508&mgid=85731

Herron. "Sociology." pp. 259-285

Aby, Stephen H. Sociology: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2005 Ref Z7164.S68A24 2004.

Recommended Readings:

Li. "Sociology." pp. 415-445

DUE: Research in Sociology (Oral report)

Electronic Resources in Sociology

March 30, 2010

Anthropology

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – Anthropology and Ethnology http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=815388&mgid=85899

Herron. "Anthropology." pp. 235-257

Kotter, W.R. “Evolving Internet Reference in Anthropology: What Our Patrons Wanted and How We Can Help Them Find It.” Journal of Library Administration. V. 43, no. ¾ (2005) pp. 75-83

Recommended Readings:

Li. "Cultural Anthropology." pp. 159-177

LaGuardia, Cheryl. “One For the Anthropologists.” Library Journal. V. 131, no. 11 June 15, 2006 p. 28.

Gardner, S. et. al. “Web-Based Resources For Anthropology Research.” Online. V. 30 no. 6 (November/December, 2006) pp. 25-30.

Robinson, W.C. “Literature Use of Scholars Publishing in Leading Anthropology Periodicals.” Behavioral and Social Sciences Libraries. V. 23 no. 2 (2005) pp. 1-17.

DUE: Anthropology Research Reports

Electronic Resources in Anthropology

Apr. 6, 2010

Folklore and Popular Culture

Communications

Required Reading:

Guide to Reference – Mythology, Folklore, and Popular Culture http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=841746&mgid=85961

Dorson. "Concepts of Folklore and Folklife Studies." in Folklore and Folklife: An

Introduction. pp. 1-50. On reserve. GR65.D57

Muherji and Schudson. "Introduction: Rethinking Popular Culture." in Rethinking

Popular Culture. pp. 1-61. On reserve. GN3 5 7. R48 1991

Alexander, J.M. “Cultural Studies and Popular Culture: A World Perspective.” Choice. V. 39, no. 6 (February, 2002) pp. 989-1001.

Boettcher, Bonna and William L. Schurr. “From Games to Grunge: Popular Culture Research Collections at Bowling Green State University.” Notes. V. 54, no. 4 June, 1998 pp. 849-859.

Herron. 'Communication." pp. 433-454.

Guide to Reference – Communication and Media Studies http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=841746&mgid=85961

Recommended Readings:

Li. "Education." pp. 237-267

DUE: Research in the Professions

Electronic Resources in the Professions

April 27, 2010

The New Disciplines and the Social Sciences

The Future(s)? of LSC 541

Required Readings:

Guide to Reference – Interdisciplinary Fields http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=814689&mgid=89379

Guide to Reference – Cultural Studies http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=815215&mgid=89400

Guide to Reference – Gender Studies http://0-www.guidetoreference.org.helin.uri.edu/EntryDetails.aspx?type=1&pid=835492&mgid=89420

Keresztesi, Michael. "The Science of Bibliography: Theoretical Implications for Bibliographic Instruction." in Theories of Bibliographic Education. On reserve. Z711.2.T49

African American Studies

Alkatimat. "Introduction. " in Introduction to Afro-American Studies: A People's

College Primer. pp. 1-28 El 84.7.15 7 1986

Anderson, Talmadge. Black Studies: Theory, Method, and Cultural Perspectives. E185.B583 1990

Asante. Kemet, Afrocentricity and Knowledge. E I 84.7A83 1990

Blassingame. New Perspectives on Black Studies. El 84.7 B57

Conyers, James L. (ed.) Africana Studies: A Disciplinary Quest For Both Theory and Method.

E184.7 A315 1997

Hall, Perry A. In the Vineyard: Working in African American Studies. E 184.7 .H24 1999

Harris, Robert L. Black Studies in the United States: Three Essays. NY: Ford Foundation, 1990

Hull and Smith. "Introduction: the Politics of Black Women's Studies." in ... But

Some of Us are Brave. El 84.7 A44 pp. xvii-xxxiv.

Kilson. Black Studies: Myths and Realities. El 84.7 B 5 7

Robinson. Black Studies in the University. E 184.7 B55

Chicano Studies

Garcia. "The Discipline of Chicano Studies." in Chicano Studies: A Multidiplinary

Approach. pp. 1-18 E184.M5C455 1984.

_____. "Future Chicano Studies Research." in Chicano Studies .. pp. 253-266.

Women’s Studies

Aaron, Jane and Sylvia Walby. Out of the Margins: Women’s Studies in the Nineties. NY: Falmer, 1991

Bowles. "Is Women’s Studies an Academic Discipline?" in Theories of Women's Studies. HQ1180. T48 1983

pp. 32-45.

_____. "Women's Studies as an Academic Discipline: Why and How to Do It.

in Theories of Women’s Studies. pp. 46-71

Butler. "The Difficult Dialogue of Curriculum Transformation: Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies. " in

Transforming the Curriculum: Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies. HQ 1181.U5T73 1991 pp. 1-19

Hinds. Working Out: New Directions for Women's Studies. HQ1180.W69 1992.

Paludi. "Feminism and Women’s Studies in the Academy. " in Foundations for a Feminist Restructuring of the

Academic Disciplines. HQ 1180.F68 1990b pp. 1-37

Reimharz. Feminist Methods in Social Research. HQ1180.R448 1992

Richardson. "Introducing Women's Studies." in Thinking Feminist.-Key Concepts in Women's Studies.

HQ11 54.T475 1993 pp. 1-26.

DUE: Summaries of the Research Institute and _____ Studies Committees

Research Institute and _____Studies Diaries

Electronic Resources in the New Disciplines

Brief Paper on the Future(s)? of LSC 541

Written Report on Social Issues in the Social Sciences