Collection Development Policy
American Studies

PROGRAMS AND CLIENTELE SUPPORTED:

The aim of the American Studies program, organized as a department in the College of Arts and Letters, is to enable its undergraduate majors to acquire an integrated understanding of American civilization, its historical development, cultural expressions and present configuration. It promotes an understanding of the American experience from an interdisciplinary point of view, and in this context draws on courses from other departments such as History, English, and Government and International Studies, in addition to the courses offered within the American Studies Department. A Master of Arts degree is also offered.

SUBJECT LIAISON:

G. Margaret Porter
Reference Department
117 Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-7620
Porter.2@nd.edu
FAX: (574) 631-8887

CONSPECTUS: None

GENERAL COLLECTING GUIDELINES:

Language: English

Chronological: From colonial period to modern times

Geographical: The United States as a country, and particular locales ranging from regions such as the Midwest to cities such as Chicago.

Treatment of subject: Scholarly works are collected, as well as materials in which the visual dominates.

Types of material: Monographs, journals, videocassettes, microforms

 

COORDINATION INFORMATION:

American Studies relies heavily on collection development in related fields which study the American experience, especially American history, American literature, and American government and politics.

 

COLLECTING LEVELS:

Selectors for American Studies concentrate on collecting materials of unique interest to its program, particularly in the following areas:

 

Subject	LC Class	Collecting Level
Architecture, U.S.	NA	3
Material culture, U.S.		4
Regional studies, U.S.		3
U.S. Press and Journalism	PN 4840-4900	3

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The social and cultural history of architecture in the United States is also of interest to American Studies program, because it complements the areas of material culture and regional studies. Folklore is receiving much less emphasis than previously.

 

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