Collection Policies

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

Old Dominion University offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in international studies through the Graduate Programs in International Studies (GPIS). GPIS is an innovative and independent unit offering advanced research and graduate training concerning global problems and transnational issues. GPIS applies scholarship to problem-solving endeavors in matters that affect all countries and all disciplines. Fields of concentration, i.e. major areas of study include: international relations/American foreign policy, conflict and cooperation, political economy and development, and transnational issues.

Old Dominion University’s Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (BAIS) draws its courses from numerous departments in the College of Arts and Letters and throughout the university. Students can choose courses from a large number of disciplines including history, geography, political science, economics, religion, languages, and communication. Students can choose among a variety of internationally oriented minors: Asian Studies, European Studies, Japanese Studies, Latin American Studies, and Middle East Studies. Students have the opportunity to participate in the Model United Nations program and the Model Organization of American States program for academic credit.

International studies are one of the stated areas in which Old Dominion University seeks to excel. The University's emphasis on international studies stems from the character of the surrounding Hampton Roads area, which includes port facilities and the world's largest complex of military bases and commands including the joint U.S. Atlantic Command, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Command, and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for the Atlantic (SACLANT).

The Institute of Asian Studies coordinates the development of special programs, curricula, and resources to promote and facilitate the development of Asian expertise. It also develops and coordinates cooperative relationships with universities in Virginia and throughout the nation.

The Center for Regional and Global Studies (CRGS) was created to help coordinate resources regarding international events, programs and issues. CRGS works jointly with several departments including foreign languages, European studies, Model UN Society, Center for Global Business and Teaching Across Borders Initiative.

The Old Dominion University Model United Nations Society was formed in 1977. The purpose of the society is to promote the further understanding of the United Nations, international issues, and the global community. The Society achieves this goal by sponsoring high school and collegiate level simulations of various United Nations Organs, attending similar conferences on the collegiate level and sponsoring social functions to foster camaraderie among its members and interested individuals.

Language Guidelines:
Although English is the primary language for the international studies collection, the library also purchases selective primary sources in foreign languages. These are particularly important with regard to the Graduate Program in International Studies where students may be required to work with primary source documents in their original language. Foreign languages most often collected include French, German, Spanish, Russian and Chinese. Selection of foreign language materials is closely coordinated with faculty, especially those sponsoring graduate students in the GPIS.

Chronological Treatment of Subject Guidelines:
The research focus in all areas of the international studies program tends toward contemporary affairs. Therefore, the collection emphasis is on the post-World War II period. The library selectively acquires international studies related materials pertaining to prior periods.

Geographical Guidelines:
The international studies program focuses particular attention on Europe (including Eastern Europe), Asia (particularly China), Russia, the Middle East and Latin America. The library's collecting emphasis in international studies is on these geographic areas. The library collects materials on other regions on a selective basis.

Treatment of Subject:
The library acquires new secondary source scholarship and primary source document collections. Primary source document collections are selected with close consultation from international studies faculty. The library usually does not purchase popular non-scholarly works or textbooks.

Types of Material:
The focus of the library's international studies collection is on scholarly monographs and professional journals in both print and electronic formats. Biographies, bibliographies, conference proceedings, reference works, foreign government / intergovernmental organization publications and primary source document collections will be collected on a selective basis. The Library may also selectively acquire audio-visual materials and digital data sets.

Date of Publication:
The library's collecting emphasis is on newly published materials. The library also selectively acquires collections of primary historical source documents in consultation with faculty. Older monographs may be purchased on a selective basis to meet changing research interests and fill in collection gaps.

Other General Considerations:

1. Interdisciplinary Relationships / Related Policy Statements: The library's international studies collection is closely tied to many other areas/programs including: political science, military science, economics, women's studies, anthropology, sociology, history and geography.
2. Local/Regional/Consortial Resources: The Armed Forces Staff College Library, NASA Langley Technical Library, and the College of William & Mary's Swem Library all include international studies related materials. The George Mason University Libraries serve as a depository for European Union documents. The University of Virginia Alderman Library is a depository for both European Union and United Nations documents. Many additional governmental and intergovernmental organization libraries are located in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
3. Center For Research Libraries (CRL): CRL's collections include international periodicals, foreign government documents and foreign doctoral dissertations. A number of current CRL projects focus particularly on Southeast Asia.
4. Virtual Library of Virginia: Current VIVA collections include Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) and Congressional Universe, both of which support work in international studies. Additional VIVA fulltext journal collections and bibliographic databases also support work in international studies.
5. Government Publications: Government publications in print and electronic form are crucial to the international studies collection, serving student and faculty needs for primary source documents. Among the most important agencies supplying documents are the Office of the President, Department of State and Department of Defense.
6. Distance Education: International Studies is currently a campus-based degree program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Library's collection of secondary source materials is generally adequate to support program needs, although there are a number of journals that should be added when/if funds become available. Weakness, however, exists in the area of primary source document collections and foreign language materials needed for graduate level research. The library should continue to work with program faculty to identify primary source materials for acquisition.

COLLECTING CODES

( key to collecting codes)

Discipline: International Studies
Bibliographer: Stuart Frazer
Date: 2/01