CMU Library Collections - 2004
December, 2004
Women and the United States Constitution: history, interpretation, and practice.
[Book KF 478 A5 W654 2003]
This book is a collection of essays written by feminists, historians, political scientists, philosophers and activist. The intent of the book is to supply some groundwork for a feminist theory of the United States Constitution and provide an account of political legitimacy within the framework of democracy. The topics are divided into three broad divisions relating each to history, interpretation or practice. The essays focus on both the strengths and weaknesses of the constitutional tradition in the United States. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Judy O'Dell)
November, 2004
Racial and Ethnic Diversity: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Whites. 4th Edition.
[REF E184.A1R78 2002]
The fourth edition of Racial and Ethic Diversity is "a profile of America at the millennium." It presents the all-important 2000 census numbers on race and reveals that the diversity of American population has increased more than ever before. This edition includes chapters on minority-owned businesses, provides detail on the Asian population, and also incorporates once-a-decade look at Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. This volume further provides the key to understanding both the similarities and differences between whites and blacks, Hispanics and non-Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians. The volume includes tables that might be helpful to researchers to compare characteristics across racial groups. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Aparna Zambare)
October, 2004
Dictionary of Race, Ethnicity and Culture.
[REF GN496.D53 2003t]
The Dictionary of Race, Ethnicity and Culture is a fine example of a subject-based professional dictionary. This dictionary is significant because it recognizes that the often unrelated areas of race, ethnicity, and culture are historically and theoretically inseparable and that they form a coherent area of study. The 200 entries cover all the important concepts and terms from everyday life as well as from academic discourse. Written in a clear and simple language, these entries provide short scholarly articles. Each entry includes a list of references for further reading. The entries are written by scholars coming from a wide range of countries and disciplines. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Aparna Zambare)
September, 2004
2000 Census of Population. Characteristics of American Indians and Alaska Natives by Tribe and Language.
[Gov. Doc. C 3.223/28:2000 PHC-5/pt.1-pt.2]
Also available via Internet: http://www.census.gov/census2000/pubs/phc-5.html
This 2-volume report from the U.S. Census Bureau contains extensive data about: American Indian and Alaska Native languages; family and household size; educational attainment; disability status; journey to work; income in 1999; poverty in 1999; units in dwelling; house heating fuel; vehicles available; value of home; telephone service available; selected monthly owner costs; and renter costs. These data are shown for the United States, regions, divisions, states, and selected metropolitan areas. This report is a companion to the Census 2000 American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File (AIANSF). It is somewhat similar to the 1990 CP-3-7, Characteristics of American Indians by Tribe and Language report. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Dave Shirley)
August, 2004
Encyclopedia of African and African-American Religions.
[REF BL 2462.5 .E53 2000]
This single-volume encyclopedia focuses exclusively on religion, its place in African and African-American societies, and its impact on society in general. The Encyclopedia contains 145 articles written by 72 international scholars representing a wide spectrum of academic disciplines. Since most of the scholarly contributors have conducted ethnographic research among the followers of the varied religions outlined in this work, many of the short- to medium-length articles are enriched by the scholars' personal experiences with believers. Each of the articles includes useful bibliographies and the Introduction includes helpful information regarding the best ways to access information in the Encyclopedia. Includes a helpful general index at the end of the work. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Rob Faleer)
July, 2004
Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women.
[Books HQ 1767.5 .A3 B56]
This two volume set covers the Qing Period (1644-1911) and the twentieth century. It was compiled from contributions of a group of scholars from China and various Western countries. Many of the women profiled were selected because they excelled in a profession or trade, a field of study, literature, or the arts. Others were chosen because they had a significant influence on society. The entries are succinct but detailed and contain references. Also included is an index by background or field of endeavor. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Sandy Folsom)
June, 2004
Population Diversity and the U.S. Army.
[Gov. Doc. D 101.146:2001035703]
Also available via Internet: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS12111
This volume contains the papers from a June 1999 conference about population diversity and the future direction of military recruiting programs. Contents include: Introduction: primer on future recruit diversity / Lloyd J. Matthews - The Russian people and their Army: a negative example for America / Robert Pringle - The American military and the people it serves: together or drifting apart? / John R. Groves, Jr. - The U.S. Army and ethnic diversity: a historical overview / Douglas V. Johnson II - Diversity in the 21st century Army: leadership issues / Joseph C. Jones - Systematic planning for raising the future force / Michael J. Stehlik - The Hispanic market: an overview / Ricardo F. Diaz - Women in the United States military / Myra J. Peterson - Person to person: the diversity challenge for the Army after next / Andre H. Sayles - Conclusion: approaching the issues of recruiting diversity / Lloyd J. Matthews. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Dave Shirley)
May, 2004
Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World. 2 Volumes. 2004.
[REF BP 40 .E525 2004]
This two volume resource presents 504 brief alphabetically arranged articles dealing with major aspects of Islam, both past and present and is addressed specifically to students and general readers. Useful bibliographies are included at the end of each article as well as a general index at the end of the second volume. The Encyclopedia also includes a synoptic outline of the alphabetical contents in the front matter on pages xxxi-xxxiv which provides readers with a useful overview by topic and subtopic of the range and kinds of information presented in the main body of the work. The main topic areas of this section include Biography, Culture, Geography, Groups and Organizations, History, Law, etc. The Encyclopedia includes approximately 170 photographs, maps, drawings and charts. This work is international in scope and reflects the diversity of ideas and practices that have characterized the Islamic world throughout its history. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Rob Faleer)
April, 2004
Irish and Postcolonial Writing: History, Theory, Practice.
[Books PR8719.I75 2002]
Edited by Glenn Hooper and Colin Graham, this book consists of twelve essays written by the scholars of Irish studies and postcolonial theory. The essays discuss the place of Irish writing in postcolonial theory. In the last twenty years, the humanities departments have shown considerable interest in theoretical discussions on the condition of postcoloniality. This incredibly heterogeneous subject field has been quite difficult to define. In this light, some contributors of the present book argue that Ireland does not really fit within a postcolonial framework. Objections to a postcolonial reading of Ireland were initially raised because of British colonial policies and practices devised differently for Africa and Asia than for Ireland. However, now that the idea of a postcolonial Ireland has taken root, some of these scholars suggest, people need to be very careful when it comes to revealing which methodological approach they favour, the Foucauldian-Saidian or the Bhabha-led post-structuralist one. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Aparna Zambare)
March, 2004
Clothing the Pacific.
[Books GT 1597 .C56 2003]
This book, made up of eight cross-cultural case studies, explores the role of cloth and clothing in the Pacific and the Pacific Diaspora from the colonial period to the present. It seeks to move beyond stereotypic views about indigenous people and European missionaries and other colonizers to present a more complex and divergent picture of the history of this aspect of Pacific material culture. A dominant theme is the ongoing preoccupation with the religious, cultural, and aesthetic significance of both indigenous and imported cloth and clothing styles. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Sandy Folsom)
February, 2004
Equal Protection of the Law: Gender and Justice in the United States.
[Books KF478 A98 2002]
Written by Mary Welek Atwell the book explores the question, do women currently have equal protection of the laws in the United States. It examines how patriarchal institutions have evolved and survived in this country. In addition it reviews the Supreme Court's approach to deciding gender issues during the last century. The book looks at the issues as a part of the historical process that brought us to the situations that exist today. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Judy O'Dell)
January, 2004
Supreme Court Decisions and Women's Rights: Milestones to Equality.
[Books KF 4758 A7 S87 2000]
Sponsored by the Supreme Court Historical Society, the book is divided into eleven chapters each focusing on a different issue. The book tells of the Supreme Court's role in reviewing laws related to gender discrimination and provides background on how and why the Court changed from protecting those laws. Information is provided about the social and political environment in which the cases were decided, and about the plaintiffs involved. For more information, ask at the Reference Desk on the second floor of the Park Library building, or call 989-774-3470.
(Review by Judy O'Dell)