Political Science 311: Getting Started

Congress
Professor: Cathy Johnson
Fall 2017

Research Tip: Use Reference Sources

Use Reference Sources

Begin your research by using reference sources to get:

ideas for your paper
overviews of a topic
a list of recommended resources

Go beyond Wikipedia by using librarian-recommended reference sources.

About Congress

Guide to Congress
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1021 .C565 2013
Covers all aspects of the U.S. Congress divided into eight subject areas: origins and development; powers; procedures; pressures; housing and support; pay and perquisites; Congress and the electorate; and qualifications and conduct.

Members of Congress and Districts

Politics in America
Contains information about members of Congress including key votes and interest group ratings; maps and descriptions of Congressional Districts and their issues; and analysis and overview of political tensions and controversies. Covers 106th - 114th Congress.

Congressional Districts in the ... (1970s - 2000s)
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1341 .C63
Contains descriptive and statistical profiles of congressional districts based on census information. Also includes information about major employers, universities, and media in each district.

Issues and Legislation

CQ Press Library
Publication Dates: 1983-Present
Delivers nonpartisan news and analysis on congressional issues and political maneuverings. Includes database of floor votes by topic and date.

CQ Almanac
Call Number: ONLINE AND SAWYER REFERENCE JK 1 .C6
1945 - 2019 (online)
1945 - 2018 (print)
Summarizes and analyzes the most important legislation taken up by Congress in each congressional session. Appendixes include vote studies, key votes, texts, listing of public laws, and roll call votes.

Congressional Publications
In addition to providing congressional documents, this database contains Congressional Research Services reports which provide research and analysis on public policy issues. A great place to get overviews of previous legislation and current concerns.

Congressional Committees and Rosters

Current
Historical

Committees in the U.S. Congress, 1993-2010
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1029 .C643 2011
Committees in the U. S. Congress, 1947-1992
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1029 .N45 1993 (2 vol.)
Committees in the U. S. Congress, 1789-1946
Call Number: SAWYER REFERENCE JK1029 .C64 2002 (4 vol.)

Last Updated: Feb 24, 2022 11:40 AM
URL: https://libguides.williams.edu/psci311
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Subjects: Leadership Studies, Political Science

Tags: fall 2017, lead 311, psci 311