Sociology
Statement of programs and library needs
The Department of Sociology, the largest in state, offers programs leading to the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.
The department's major emphasis is on two programmatic areas.
- Work and technology, including issues of work place democracy, organizational sociology, careers and professions, globalization, and the changing technological and work environment of modern society;
- Social differences and inequality, including stratification, race, gender, and age inequality, and political sociology.
The department's graduate programs in particular attempt to equip students with the theoretical and methodological tools necessary to conduct their own research. In keeping with its methodological strengths, the department spawned the now-independent Center for Survey Research. The department has strong international interests, especially in the Philippines, and trains many students from abroad.
The department has strong interdisciplinary interests, so that there is mutual interest between sociologists and scholars in Family and Child Development, Black Studies, Women's Studies, and Science Studies. Economics, management, psychology, and history are also of interest.
I. Collection areas
A. Area: Sociology and Anthropology
B. Classes and Levels
GF Human Ecology. Anthropogeography Research
GN 49-296 Physical Anthropology. Somatology Study
GN 301-673 Ethnology. Social & Cultural Anthrop. Study
GN 700-875 Prehistoric Archeology Basic
GR Folklore Study
GT 170-474 Houses. Dwellings Study
GT 500-2370 Costume. Dress. Fashion Research
GT 2400-6720 Customs Basic
HB 848-3697 Demography. Vital Events Research
HD 7285-7391 Housing Research
HM 1-250 Sociology General & Theoretical Research
HM 251-291 Social Psychology Research
HN Social History and Condition.
Social Problems. Social Reform Research
HQ 12-471 Sexual Life. Erotica Study
HQ 503-1059 Family. MarriageResearch
HQ 1060-1064 Gerontology (Social aspects) Research
HQ 1101-2030.7 Women. Feminism Research
HR 251-291 Social Psychology Research
HS Societies Study
HT 101-384 Urban Groups. The City.
Urban Sociology Research
HT 390-395 Regional Planning Research
HT 401-485 Rural Sociology Research
HT 601-1445 Social Classes Research
HT 1501-1595 Sociology--RacesResearch
HV 40-4959 Social and Public Welfare Study
HV 5001-5770 Alcoholism. Intemperance.
Tobacco Habit Study
HV 5800-5840 Drug Habits. Drug Abuse Study
HV 6001-9920 Criminology. Penology Research
HX Sociology. Communism. Anarchism Study
QP 86 Old Age--Physiology Study
RA 418 Social Medicine Study
RC 952-954 Geriatrics Study
Z 5111-5118 Bibliography--Anthropology
and Ethnology Study
Z 5703 Bibliography--Criminology Research
Z 7161-7166 Bibliography--Political and
Social Sciences Research
ZZ 7961-7965 Bibliography--Women Research
C. Chronology
Collections in the classics of sociology and in empirical studies since 1960 are fairly strong. Selection therefore emphasizes current materials.
D. Geographic Guidelines
Primary emphasis is on materials published in the United States. Materials in sociology from the United Kingdom, other English-speaking countries, and Western Europe are also selected. Materials about other societies are potentially relevant even if not written from a sociological perspective. Selection of anthropological materials emphasizes works on Appalachia and Native Americans.
E. Languages
English language materials are of primary interest. Sociology has its roots in Germany and France, so retrospective and current materials from these countries are selectively acquired.
F. Treatment
Emphasis is on materials -- monographs and journals -- of a scholarly nature. Less scholarly materials particularly about social problems and their possible solutions are acquired, but more selective new book-length bibliographies are acquired, though print and electronic indexes in serial format are kept strong. The literature about sociology as a discipline is small, but is acquired almost comprehensively. Sources of statistical data are of interest.
G. Formats
Primarily print for monographs and most journals, though electronic full-text is also of growing importance for journals. Bibliographic databases are available through the Internet. Microform duplicate copies of a few key journals are held. Videos, often dealing with social problems, are sometimes acquired upon faculty request.
H. Multiple copies
Multiple copies of heavily used titles, especially those of a more serious nature, are acquired as funds permit. Newer editions of classic works are acquired when possible.
II. Acquisition Strategy
The sociology bibliographer selects materials for purchase, with priority being given to faculty requests. The libraries maintain an approval plan for books from many university press and significant trade publishers and standing orders for many important serials. The libraries receive on subscription a substantial number of the English language periodicals indexed in Sociological Abstracts, Social Science Index, and the various anthropology indexes. The libraries hold membership in some of the pertinent professional groups. Significant gifts of materials not already owned are rarely received, but duplicate copies of frequently used titles are sometimes added by gift. Retrospective purchases are limited to filling in journal holdings or adding important older titles.
Federal documents from a variety of agencies provide primary data and secondary materials of interest in sociology.
III. Collection Notes
Lower division college textbooks are not ordinarily purchased. Upper division textbooks are acquired selectively. Newsletters, newspapers, and most conference proceedings are not considered to be important for the sociology collections. Theses and dissertations from other institutions are generally not acquired. Resources which support other disciplines such as psychology, political science, economics, geography, and history often support the research and curricular interests of sociology faculty and students.
Revised 01/2001
