Library Guides:  Communication 4:
Interpersonal Communications

Instructor, Heather Bixler
Developed by Gina Haycock, Librarian
 

REFERENCE BOOKS:  Located on the first floor of the library behind the Reference Desk.  These books must remain in the library. Reference books include dictionaries, almanacs and encyclopedias. Specialized or subject encyclopedias (concentrating on a particular subject instead of covering all knowledge) are excellent starting points for research. They are focused on a particular topic, cover the major concepts of the topic, are written by experts in the field, and often have bibliographies or other references.
Examples of Reference books in the COS library are as follows:

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers    R 808.027 G437

Statistics:
Statistical Abstract of the United States    R 317.3 Un58    This resource is also available online at the following URL:    http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
The World Almanac and Book of Facts    R 317.3 W927

Subject Encyclopedias:

Interpersonal
Encyclopedia of Relationships Across the Lifespan    R 302.03 T948
Contemporary Youth Culture: An International Encyclopedia    R 305.23509 C761
The Official Guide to American Attitudes    R 306 M682
Encyclopedia of Marriage and the Family    R 306.8 En56
Encyclopedia of Family Life    R 306.85 En56

Cultural Exploration

Sexuality and the World's Religions    R 291.178 S518

American Immigrant Cultures: Builders of a Nation   R 305.8 A512
    This two volume set takes a culture and provides a brief overview of the country of origin, immigration history, the culture's assimilation in America, and social organization. Depending on the culture, this set may also cover Socioeconomic characteristics, Housing, Health care and Education, Family and Kinship, Interpersonal Relationships, Cultural Resilience and more. Each article includes a bibliography, that can lead you to some excellent sources.

Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America     R 305.8 G151  also available online in the Gale Virtual Reference Library
    This two volume set provides information on the country of origin and the circumstances surrounding major immigration waves. The articles also cover acculturation, assimilation, family and community dynamics, language, religion, employment and economic traditions, politics and government. This set extends its scope to include the Native American Groups who were here before us.

WorldMark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life   R 305.8 W927
   This four volume set provides information on ethnic groups in various countries. The three-five page articles provide a brief overview of the country and then goes on to cover a variety of topics. These topics include; Rites of Passage, Family Life, Cultural Heritage, Food, and more.

Encyclopedia of World Cultures    R 306.097 En56
    The strength and weakness of this 10 volume set is that it looks at the various small cultural groups throughout the world. It doesn't necessarily follow the current political boundaries that set countries apart. The set does contain some excellent information on traditions, family units, religion and gender roles.

Encyclopedia of Multiculturalism   R 306.4 En56
    This reference set discusses both ethnic groups and topics such as Health and Medicine.

International Encyclopedia of Sexuality   R 306.7 In61
    Each chapter in this book is devoted to a particular country. Each of the 31 chapters includes an overview; comparisons of life cycles between men's and women's gender roles; infancy and early childhood, school years, young adulthood, and old age.

Refugee and Immigrant Health: A Handbook for Health Professionals    R 362.1 K32

Encyclopedia of Global Health    R 362.103 E56

You are Cordially Invited to Weddings: Dating and Love Customs of Cultures Worldwide  R 392.5 M834

You Eat What you Are: People   R 394.1 B248
    This book examines the history and traditions of meal patterns, eating customs, regional specialties, and distinctive methods of food preparation commonly used by more than 170 cultural groups around the world.

Tobacco in History and Culture: An Encyclopedia    R 394.14 T628

A Celebration of Customs and Rituals around the World    R 394.2 In53

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in Sixty Countries    R 395.52 M882
     Cultural overviews, Behavior Styles, Protocol and Business Practices.

Greenwood Encyclopedia of World Folklore and Folklife    R 398.03 G816

Death and the Afterlife - A Cultural Encyclopedia   R 398.03 T245
    This one volume set covers the funeral customs and views of death of various ethnic groups.

Encyclopedia of Native American Healing    R 615.8 L991

Encyclopedia of Native American Shamanism: Sacred Ceremonies of North America  R 615.8 L991

Encyclopedia of Modern Middle East    R 956.003 En56

Encyclopedia of the African-American Culture and History  R 973 En56
    An updated edition is available online in the Gale Virtual Reference Library

Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups  R 973.04 H339
    An older, yet useful, one volume work arranged by ethnic groups.

The Latino Encyclopedia  R 973.0468 S345

The Asian American Encyclopedia    R 973.0495 A832

Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture   R 980.003 En56

Books on Reserve

Gestures: The DO's and TABOOs of the Body Language Around the World   302.222 A972

American Indian Healing Arts    R 615.88 K21

Do's and Taboos Around the World for Women in Business    910.202 D722

Online Reference Books:

• Gale Virtual Reference Library - Gale provides access to 200 reference books. All the books are full-text and cover a wide variety of topics including art, science, literature and much more. All 200 titles can be searched simultaneously or individual titles may be selected. (Cost $20,000)

• CredoReference - Credo provide full-text reference books on a wide variety of subjects (Cost $2500)

CIRCULATING BOOKS: Located on the second floor of the library. Our newest books are, for the most part, in the areas of science and social issues, and current topics, because we try to build the collection to the type of assignments given to students. Some subject headings you might use in the COS book catalog are as follows:

ONLINE BOOKS:

ALSO, through the Electronic Resources link, http://cos.edu/library/electronic.htm, on the COS Library’s Web Site, there are links to the electronic index subscription databases that the library makes available to COS students. Many of these indexes offer full-text articles, which means the entire article will be available even if the library doesn't subscribe to the periodical itself. If a student is off campus, passwords are necessary to access these databases. Passwords are available for COS students at the COS Library Information Desk or by calling the Library at (559) 737-6179.

DATABASE FOR SCHOLARLY SOURCES:    (This database is not completely full-text.)

• Infotrac - Infotrac provides articles from more than 500 scholarly, trade and general-interest publications, as well as references for The New York Times. The databases integrate core titles in every major academic concentration; area  and issue-specific journals; academic journals with application in the professions; and publications with national news coverage and commentary.  The time period it covers is current year to date + the previous 3 years. The optional backfile extends coverage as far back as 1980.  (Annual Cost $9,732)
 
It works well when using a subject search. When entering a subject search, you can use broad terms, because the index will automatically help to narrow the search. This index is not completely full-text.

DATABASES FOR CONTEMPORARY ISSUES:    (These two databases are full-text)

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This page was created August 2007. This page was last updated: 03/19/2010
For questions and comments, please mail to: ginah@cos.edu