political science scope note

Fund 5066 Dani Pahulje December 22 2003

COVERAGE
Political Science, as a discipline, is ill-defined, amorphous and heterogeneous. (Greenstein and Polsby, Vol. 81, 1975). Some see Political Science as the study of politics that is characterized as the constrained use of social power (Goodin, 1996). The American Political Science Association defines the discipline as the study of governments, public policies and political behavior; uses both humanistic and scientific perspectives and skills to examine all countries and regions of the world (www.apsanet.org/studyingps.htm). At its broadest level, it includes everything that has to do with power. Although named after the discipline of Political Science, the fund supports the purchase of resources that go beyond the disciplines parameters and beyond the teaching and research focus of the Department of Political Science at The University of Calgary. Fund 5066 is a broad-based fund supporting studies in modern history, including current political events, development studies, Israeli Studies, and public policy (especially Canadian). It is interdisciplinary in nature. Support is provided for the study of the political and policy aspects of a number of subjects, e.g. environment, health, education, economics, women, etc.

TEACHING AND RESEARCH FOCUS

The study of the political and policy aspects of a variety of subjects are addressed by the various departments and faculties that make up The University of Calgary. The Department of Political Science defines the discipline in a traditional way. Political Science is about how societies should and do deal with conflict. At its most basic level Political Science entails asking how and why life and property should be protected and how cultural and economic aspirations are expressed and accommodated. The study of national and international political systems involves investigation of how individuals, social movements, groups and parties relate to each other and to government; how governmental systems operate; and how and why policies such as welfare, health and multiculturalism work. Political scientists analyze the causes and consequences of war, disputes over territory and resources, problems of environmental degradation, poverty, terrorism and refugees, and the nature and consequences of globalization. More generally, political science researchers investigate such concepts as justice, liberty, representation and democracy, and explore ideologies that try to make sense of the political world, such as conservatism, liberalism, socialism, fascism, feminism and environmentalism.

political science scope note http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Field of Study

TEACHING FOCUS
In addition to providing support for the teaching needs of other departments and faculties that focus on the political and policy aspects of a discipline, the Political Science fund supports the teaching needs of the Department of Political Science. The teaching interests in the Department of Political Science are diverse and cover most of the major fields of study (sub-fields) within the discipline of Political Science including: Political Theory/Political Philosophy Courses in political theory acquaint students with the traditions of their culture so that they can understand the origins of familiar aspects of current life as well as learning to reflect critically on them. Examples include the following: the parliamentary system, freedom of the press, elections, democracy, oligarchy, tyranny, war, nationalism, and internationalism.
http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Clusters - Political Thought

Public Policy, Law and Administration Public Policy and Public Law courses present students with the challenge of identifying public problems and differentiating them from private ones. Students are also expected to understand the institutional and organizational context for adjudication and administration of these problems. Students develop an understanding of how certain issues make it onto the agenda of public problems in need of solution or adjudication in Canada while others do not. They go on to see how policies to address these problems are then formulated, implemented, and evaluated - as well as how courts fulfill their role in adjudication and dispute resolution regarding public sector responsibilities. Advanced undergraduate courses introduce a comparative focus to these issues, so that students will be able to differentiate Canadas institutional and organizational context from that found in other nations.
http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Clusters - Public Policy, Law and Administration

International Relations The global system is in a period of tremendous transformation. While the end of the Cold War is a watershed event, it is only the most notable of many fundamental changes that are currently reshaping the international relations, and as a consequence, how we understand the international system. Therefore, the purpose of this cluster is to expose students to a range of major trends and issues in international relations. In order to assist students in understanding these changes, and the forces that are driving them, they are encouraged to: Think critically about international relations; Identify and understand the main forces shaping the current international system; Research and evaluate specific elements of world politics
http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Clusters - International Relations

political science scope note

Comparative Government and Politics Comparative politics is dedicated to the study and research of the worlds political systems. While this comparison may include Canada, individuals who are practitioners of comparative politics often examine individual countries or countries that are clustered in what are called Area Studies (e.g. Western and Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia). Comparative politics includes not only the what of politics but also the how of politics. It examines both states and components of political life across states and regions.
http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Clusters - Comparative Government and Politics

Canadian Politics These courses are designed to ensure that students have a well-rounded understanding of character of Canadian politics. They should understand the nature of Canadas political institutions, and the interaction between the Canadian state and society. Students should be aware of the various ways in which Canadian politics has been studied, and the insights into the nature of Canadian politics that these have produced. They should have an understanding of the various research methods that underpin approaches to studying Canadian politics, and some experience in applying these methods in their own work.
http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Clusters - Canadian Politics

Courses that are taught revolve around the following themes Globalization Political Ideas Canada Governance Sustainability Law and Justice Comparative Global Studies Peace and Security Political Behaviour In addition to the focus on the five sub-fields of Political Science and themes that can be explored in these areas, the Department of Political Science provides a cluster of courses with a focus on Research Methods. The courses grouped in this cluster share a focus on teaching techniques for statistical analysis of quantitative data. Because the data most commonly analyzed by political scientists are public opinion data, the primary focus is on public opinion research. Although issues of survey design and research methodology are discussed extensively in these courses, the primary focus remains on secondary analysis of existing data sets. A basic understanding of research design and statistical analysis of quantitative data is an essential part of the education of any social scientist in the contemporary era. A great deal of the research conducted in political science employs quantitative analysis, so an understanding of these techniques is an important part of a students training in the discipline. The importance of understanding basic elements of research design and statistical analysis is not limited to the academic milieu, however. Public opinion surveys and statistical analysis of data have become an important tool employed in government, 3

political science scope note the media and the courts. In order to be informed citizens with the capacity for critical analysis, students need to have an understanding of both the potential and the limitations of statistical analysis and public opinion research.
http://www.poli.ucalgary.ca/ugrad/index.html#Clusters - Research Methods

Undergraduate B.A. in Political Science B.A. Honours in Political Science Undergraduate Degrees and Programs with Political Science Component: Other Faculties and Departments Faculty of Communication and Culture The Department of Political Science offers service courses to the Faculty of Communication and Culture. B.A. in Canadian Studies B.A. in Development Studies B.A. in Law and Society B.A. in Womens Studies Faculty of Social Sciences B.A. in Economics B.A. in Economics and Society B.A. in Geography B.A. in History B.A. in International Relations B.A. in Cultural and Social Anthropology B. A. in Sociology B.A. in Urban Studies B.Sc. in Geography Collaborative Degrees B.A. in East Asia (Faculties of Communication and Culture/Humanities/Social Sciences) B.A. in Latin American Studies (Faculties of Communication and Culture/Humanities/Social Sciences) Minor Programs The following are minor programs that are given some support from the collection activity for the discipline of Political Science. Many of these programs offer courses that include a political component to the subject matter. Faculty of Communication and Culture African Studies Canadian Studies Central and East European Studies Communications Studies Development Studies East Asian Studies Latin American Studies Law and Society Leisure, Tourism and Society Northern Planning and Development Studies South Asian Studies Womens Studies Haskayne School of Business Management and Society

political science scope note Faculty of Humanities Italian Studies Philosophy Religious Studies Faculty of Medicine Health and Society Faculty of Social Sciences Anthropology Applied Energy Economics Economics Geography History Indigenous Studies Political Science Sociology Urban Studies Collaborative Transportation Science Graduate M.A. in Political Science Ph.D. in Political Science There are additional Masters and PhD programs offered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies with a focus on other programs that have a Political Science component to them.

RESEARCH FOCUS
The Political Science fund supports the research needs of faculty in many departments and faculties. Research strengths in other faculties and departments that include a political component are not identified here. The following research strengths are based on those that have been identified by the Department of Political Science only. Canadian Politics and Public Policy judicial politics, federalism, party politics, transportation and environmental policy, Western Canadian politics, women in politics, Canadian foreign policy Regional and World Politics empirical and normative international theory, regimes and various aspects of strategic studies, Australian, American, African, Chinese, European, Japanese, Middle Eastern and Russian politics The following pillars of prominence and promise identified in The University of Calgarys Academic Plan are applicable to these areas of research outlined above: Advancing Health and Wellness: Life and Medical Sciences (health and policy studies); Health, Wellness and Human Performance (health policy); Social Dimensions and Determinants of Health (public policy and ethical issues in health and wellness) Leading Innovation in Energy and the Environment: Business, Legal and Policy Aspects of Energy and the Environment

political science scope note Understanding Human Behaviour, Institutions and Cultures: Public Policy Studies; Strategic and International Studies; Ties to Research Units The Department of Political Science has close ties to several interdisciplinary units within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Research Unit for Public Policy (Dr. Anthony Perl) Research Unit for the Study of Civil Society (Dr. Rainier Knopff) Traditional Authority Applied Research Network (Dr. Don Ray) Centre for Military and Strategic Studies (Dr. Jim Keeley, Dr. Rob Huebert) Arctic Institute of North America Van Horne Institute for International Transportation and Regulatory Affairs International Middle-East Institute

RESEARCH COLLECTIONS
Funds have not been used to purchase materials relating to collections of national or international importance.

EXCLUSIONS
Personal narratives, reprints of articles reproduced as books, journalistic accounts of political events (some are purchased if reviews are positive). Electronic books Government Publications

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONSIDERATIONS
There is collaboration in the development of the collection with the Liaison Librarian responsible for the funds for History, Canadian Studies, Latin American Studies, and East European Studies. No formal agreements exist. The following illustrate some areas that overlap with Political Science Business public administration and governance Communication Studies media and politics Data elections, voting behaviour, public opinion polls Economics political economy, international trade and political economy, globalization Education Citizenship Education Environmental Design transportation and environmental policy History understanding the political past Human Geography - study of countries and regions Law international relations, international and public law, constitutional law, human rights, immigration, study of Canadian and international courts and judicial systems Literature politics and literature Medicine health policy Philosophy political theory Psychology political behaviour, voting behaviour Religion religion and politics, eg. Islam Sociology immigration, human rights, globalization Strategic Studies war and conflict, national security, international relations

SELECTION NOTES
Language English is the primary language. Works published in French are purchased if their focus is Canadian politics. Works in other languages are purchased on a

political science scope note selective basis, especially if the subject matter is unique and not available in English. Level Scholarly treatment of the discipline is emphasized for both monographs and serials. Textbooks (defined as books with study questions and/or answers at the end of chapters or the whole book) are not acquired. Popular monographic works are purchased if the content has a focus on current political issues and events. Popular journals which focus on current events, etc. are not purchased with this fund. Undergraduae and graduate level monographs are purchased. Date Chronological Coverage: Emphasis is on materials dealing with issues and events since 1960/61 that is marked historically by the Vietnam War. Works that are broad in date coverage, i.e., older than 1960 but extending into the present time are also purchased. A concerted effort is made to purchase materials that analyze current political events. Imprint: Emphasis is on current publications. Retrospective titles are purchased if they fill in gaps in the collection or if they replace titles that are worn out or have been lost. Geography There are no limitations regarding geographic coverage, however, works on Canada and those of Eastern Europe and Latin America are purchased selectively since other funds, Canadian Studies, East European Studies and Latin American Studies, purchase some of these. Formats Emphasis All types of monographs or monographs in a series in paper format are purchased. Paperback rather hardcover copies of monographs are purchased whenever possible. This is due to the high costs of hardcover titles. Subscriptions to scholarly journals in paper format are purchased, however, increasingly, journals in electronic format or journals that are part of electronic journal aggregators are replacing these. Restrictions Monographs or journals in CD-ROM format are purchased selectively and only if the title is not available in another format. Location Materials are purchased primarily for the MacKimmie Library location. Some items, however, may be located to other locations, e.g. Law Library, Business Library, etc. if more appropriate for that location. Duplication One copy of each monograph and journal title is purchased. Multiples copies (usually not more than 2) are purchased for heavily used materials. Duplicate copies are not purchased for the sake of convenience, ie., in a non-MacKimmie Library location.

SOURCES CONSULTED

political science scope note ___________. Political Science In The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. Oxford Reference Online. (July 28, 2003) Finifter, Ada W., ed. 1983. Political Science: The State of the DisciplineWashington; American Political Science Association. Finifter, Ada W., ed. 1993. Political Science: The State of the Discipline Washington; American Political Science Association. Goodin, Robert E. 1996. A New Handbook of Political Science. New York: Oxford University Press. Greenstein, Fred I., Nelson W. Polsby, eds. 1975. International Politics. Vol.8 of Handbook of Political Science. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. Greenstein, Fred I., Nelson W. Polsby, eds. 1975. Political Science: Scope and Theory. Vol. 1 of Handbook of Political Science. Reading, MA; Addison-Wesley. Hawkesworth, Mary and Maurice Kogan, eds. 1992. Encyclopedia of Government and Politics. 2 vols. London: Routledge. Jones, Laurence F. and Edward C. Olson. 1996. Political Science Research: A Handbook of Scope and Methods. New York: Longman. Lasswell, Harold Dwight. [1936] 1950. Politics: who gets what, when how. New York: P. Smith. Smelser, Neil J. and Paul B. Baltes, eds. 2001. International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. 26 vols. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Strum, Philippa and Michael Shmidman. 1969. On Studying Political Science. Pacific Palisades, CA; Goodyear. York, Henry E. 1990. Political Science: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources. Englewood, CO; Libraries Unlimited.