Library: PLS201: Foundations of Political Science: Background Information

General Background Information

Often, a deeper understandig of a topic can measurably improve an assignment. Take some time to gather some background information and work your new knowledge into your assignment.

CQ Researcher
Library database that covers the most important and controversial issues of the day. Contains the full text of CQ Researcher, a weekly publication. Each issue provides a comprehensive overview and background essay, data tables and graphs, chronology, pro-con starter, and list of major research and advocacy groups. Includes extensive lists of sources and hot-linked footnotes throughout.

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Gale E-Books (Gale Virtual Reference Library)
Search across 1,000+ Gale reference books and encyclopedias by keyword or subject.

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Sage Reference and Academic Books (Sage Knowledge)
An extensive collection of online reference sources and academic e-books from Sage, the leading social sciences publisher. It includes some 1000+ major reference sources as well as 5,000+ academic e-books. Major coverage is provided for Education, Sociology, Business & Management, Health and Human Services (including Social Work), Counseling, Psychology, and Political Science and International Relations, as well as less extensive coverage for other social science fields.
Oxford Reference Online: Premium
Search across an extensive collection of authoritative Oxford reference books and encyclopedias by keyword or subject.

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Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia
Covers items of general interest. Contains >25,000 encyclopedic entries.

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Sources for Basic and Background Information in Political Science and Related Fields

International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Publication Date: 2008
Presidents: A Reference History
Publication Date: 2002

This work provides in-depth analyses on each president and his administration.
Encyclopedia of the Supreme Court of the United States
Publication Date: 2008

This encyclopedia focuses on the substance of American law, the processes that produce its legal principles, and the history of the Supreme Court, from its creation to the present. One of the encyclopedia's distinguishing themes is the examination of case law.
Encyclopedia of the American Constitution
Publication Date: 2000

This encyclopedia contains articles covering concepts (i.e. adoption, race, the Constitution, birthright citizenship) and court cases since 1992 offering comprehensive coverage of all aspects of constitutional law, as well as biographies of people who have had an impact on our government's legal framework (Supreme Court Justices, Presidents, Cabinet Members, Lawyers, and more). Also covers judicial decisions handed down by the Supreme Court.
Gale Encyclopedia of American Law
Publication Date: 2011

This encyclopedia covers important cases, major statutes, legal terms and concepts, notable persons involved with the law, and important documents. It includes topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, physician-assisted suicide and more.
Government, Politics, and Protest
Publication Date: 2007

These volumes of primary source documents focus on leading social issues of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Each title contains approximately 175 full or excerpted documents---speeches, legislation, magazine and newspaper articles, essays, memoirs, letters, interviews, novels, songs, and works of art---as well as overview information that places each document in context.
Governments of the World
Publication Date: 2006

Governments of the World provides background information on nearly 200 countries' institutions and governments. It describes and analyzes how they affect citizens in the daily exercise of their rights and responsibilities.

PLS201: Foundations of Political Science

General Background Information

Sources for Basic and Background Information in Political Science and Related Fields

Contact the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library