International Relations *

Introduction

This research guide is organized to showcase and provide easy access to core and relevant USC Libraries resources and scholarly web sites that support completing assignments in international relations, public diplomacy, or comparative politics classes. Use this guide to get started on finding information related to your research topic. If you need help, contact the Political Science/International Relations Librarian, Dr. Robert V. Labaree, profiled in the text box above.

Collection Development Guidelines

Resources in all formats that support teaching, research, and learning in the discipline of international relations are located primarily in or accessible online from the Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center Library for International and Public Affairs. The library collects in the major areas of emphasis of the discipline, including but not limited to, general theory and methodology of international relations, international political economy, defense and security studies, foreign policy analysis, terrorism and counter-terrorism, state-society relations, comparative politics, public diplomacy, and regional studies. Additional emphasis is given to collecting materials related to issues of globalization, foreign aid, non-governmental organizations [in support of the international documents collection], global disaster management, sustainable development, peace and conflict studies, all aspects of international human rights law [in collaboration with the Law Library], and economic development in emerging economies. Acquisition of materials related to international finance, global commodities trading, and the global labor market are collected in collaboration with the Business Library. Materials are acquired in three ways: standing orders of books from specific publishers and in designated subject areas under the GOBI vendor profile, individually purchased titles [firm orders] from GOBI and other vendors, and donations.

There are no geographical limitations regarding what is acquired, but specific emphasis is placed on acquiring research resources covering the international affairs of European countries in support of the European Union regional depository collection for Southern California. With the exception of international relations theory and ideology, materials examining issues within the past twenty-five years are covered in this collection development policy. Earlier works are generally not collected because they represent a transition from contemporary affairs to studies of history. With the exception of course textbooks, anthologies, and reprints of doctoral dissertations, scholarly materials of all types, including multimedia and online resources, are collected or made accessible. The collecting efforts emphasize materials either published in or translated to English. Materials in other languages are acquired very selectively in support of current curricular and research needs or items are accepted into the library's collection as transfers on a case-by-case basis from the East Asian Library and the Boeckmann Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies.

Library faculty consider permanent removal of print materials based primarily on the following criteria: older editions that are not historically significant, duplicate copies, damaged or mutilated materials, or in response to emerging space constraints. Materials also may be considered for permanent removal in response to significant and long-lasting changes in the curriculum, areas of research, and teaching priorities of the Dornsife School of International Relations.