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Dr. Keller's History 1301: Justification for War

This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your problem-based learning assignment. Here's a link to the Bedford Reader page. Other resources: PBL Search Sheet (Word doc)

Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!

What topic are you researching?

List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:

What would you like to find out about your topic? What questions do you have? What are your learning issues?

 

II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names

If you're researching a particular topic, such as "preemptive war ", then you need to list as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND in order to have a successful search:

  • President Polk, Colin Powell, President Bush, U.S. Congress
  • Iraq, Axis of Evil, Mexico
  • preemptive war, justification, war authorization
  • biological weapons, weapons of mass destruction, mobile labs
  • 1800s, 2000s
mexican war
and
polk
and
justification
or
 
or
 
or
U.S. war with Mexico
and
congress
and
causes
or
 
or
 
or
 
and
 
and
authorization

So...what's the difference between KEYWORD v. SUBJECT searching?

  • Keyword search = to combine key words or for more specific search; finds items that contain your keywords
  • Subject search = for broad search or when you know terminology; finds items that are about that topic

TIPS:

  • Use symbols such as the * at the end of key words to pick up alternate endings. (iraq* = iraq, iraqs, iraqi, etc.)
  • Use keyword and subject searching together: start with a keyword search, find an item that's relevant, then look for subject headings within item descriptions and incorporate those subject words into your search strategy.

 

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

 

III. Search Sources

A. REFERENCE sources - Looking for background information or facts?

Sources labeled Ref are in print and available at the SAC Library, 2nd floor reference room. You can also check your local library catalog to see if they own a copy. Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE.

Location & Call No. Reference Source Title
Ref E404 .U66 1997  The United States and Mexico at war : nineteenth-century expansionism and conflict
Ref E411 .S53  The Sign of the eagle; a view of Mexico, 1830 to 1855 (personal narrative; letters of Lieutenant John James Peck, a United States soldier in the conflict with Mexico
Ref E404 .M84 1997 Historical dictionary of the United States-Mexican War
Ref E404 .C93 1999 Encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War
SAC McAllister Collection, 4th Floor - E407 .O74 1982 Origins of the Mexican War : a documentary source book (2v)
   
Ref HV6431 .A537 2002 Historical dictionary of Terrorism
Ref HV6431 .E53 2003 Encyclopedia of World Terrorism
Ref HV6431 .K883 2003 Encyclopedia of Terrorism
Ref HV6431 .P798 2002 Psychology of Terrorism (4 v.)
Ref HV6431 .T4594 2003 Terrorism: a documentary history
Ref HV6432 .B56 2003 Bioterrorism (2 v.)
Ref JX4505 .R465 1994 The laws of war : a comprehensive collection of primary documents on international laws governing armed conflict
Ref JZ1160 .N65 2002 Greenwood Encyclopedia of International Relations
Ref JZ1242 .E43 1998 International Ethics
Ref JZ1318 .T34 2004 Taking sides : clashing views on controversial global issues
Ref JZ1242 .W67 2002 World at Risk : a global issues sourcebook
Ref RA648 .P374 2002 PDR Guide to Biological and Chemical Warfare Response
Ref U793 .W43 1999 Weapons of Mass Destruction: opposing viewpoints
Ref UF500 .W48 2002 Weapons & warfare (2 v.; covers ancient through modern)
Ref UG447.8 .M33 2003 Chemical and Biological Warfare: a reference handbook

Online databases Screen captures - clickable!
Opposing Viewpoints (social issues, hot topics) oppview
Gale Virtual Reference Library gvrl
Facts.com (select "Issues & Controversies" section) facts
History Resource Center hrcus

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

B. BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items - Looking for in-depth information?

  • QuickSearch Books & Media (Catalog)

    By:     Search for:

  • Remember the old timey Card Catalog? There were 3 ways you could search it: Author, Title, SUBJECT
  • With the online Catalog, start with a Keyword, then look for Subject headings.

  • A few subject headings (just click to do the search!) you can use:

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

C. ARTICLES - Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE.

NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the Journal Locator. Just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text.





I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

D. FREE WEB SITES


IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources

Research Process

 

Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the United Nations, Feb 5, 2003. Part 1 of 8. CNN has the transcript of the entire speech.

  • 2 of 8 - hiding eqipment, access to inspectors
  • 3 of 8 - vial of anthrax (@ 7:50 mark)
  • 4 of 8 - mobile biological weapons labs
  • 5 of 8 - "evil genius" dual use infrastructure
  • 6 of 8 - desire/ability to build nuclear weapon
  • 7 of 8 - weapon and poison facilities, Iraq and al Qaeda
  • 8 of 8 - terrorist network, Kurds

President Bush's address to the nation on the decision to go to war with Iraq.

Colin Powell saying that he was misled on the intelligence that he used to make his presentation, Meet the Press, June 10, 2007.

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