Alkek Library News

Featured Author: Sociologist Eric Hoffer on Mass Movements

Must read for political science, sociology, history and international studies students.

Self-taught sociologist Eric Hoffer is best known for his seminal work The True Believer - Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements. Written in the aftermath of the rise of fascism and World War II, the book attempts to explain how failed and frustrated people find reason and redemption in irrational mass movements.

Hoffer analyzes mass movements with fascinating lucidity. He uncovers some of their salient characteristics: hatred of the present, an articulated goal for the future, a useful despised enemy, imitation of their enemies in dress and tactics, and blissful surrender of the individual to a collective whole. Also examines the lifespan of a mass movement.

By attempting to explain how destructive mass movements operate, Hoffer's work has contributed to humanity's self-awareness.

Hoffer actually lived as a stevedore, welder and manual laborer for most of his adult life.

Hoffer's other books expand on the paradox that modern individualism - rootless and alienating - makes modern mass movements (a wish for community purpose) possible.

NEW Streaming Media Database: Films on Demand

Alkek Library is excited to share the news about adding Films on Demand a streaming media database. Video collections include Career & Job Search, Technical Education, Guidance & Counseling, Family & Consumer Science and a growing collection of individually selected titles in various fields. Many titles are purchased and some are available via the subscription to the database for 3 years when at that time we wil review the most heavily viewed videos to determine whether or not to purchase.

At this time there are over 160 purchased titles that can be found by searching the catalog. Here is the list.

Facuclty & Departments can help the library develop a strong streaming media collection by submitting requests for more titles at the selection site:  http://films.com/digitallanding.aspx. The search interface allows you to limit to streaming media type. Submit new titles by using the Collection Development order request form.

You can also Create personal login to save favorite video segments or playlists with custom URLs for use in lesson plans or TRACS. See the User Documentation for more information.

Films dealing with the following subjects are included in the database:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Area Studies
• Art & Architecture
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• English & Language Arts
• Geography
• History
• Music
• Philosophy & Religion
• Political Science
• American Government
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Women's Studies
• World Languages

New Database: Pop Culture Universe

Pop Culture Universe is a full-text database that includes American and world popular culture, past and present. You can choose to do the quick search or use the more advanced search options which enables you to limit your search to people, places, time period, or subjects.

Subjects include: 

• Arts and Visual Culture
• Business and Advertising
• Ethnic and Group Culture
• Fashion and Appearance
• Film
• Food and Drink
• Literature * Music
• Politics
• Recreation and Leisure
• Religion and Spirituality
• Sports
• TV and Radio
• Technology and Media

Search results  include tabs which link you to the full-text article, biographies, and/or images, if available. When you click on an entry, first you will notice information about where the entry originally appeared. There are also tools on the right side of the entry that can be used to cite in MLA or Chicago style, email, print, or "permalink" the article/entry into a course site, etc.  Another cool feature is a link to the American Heritage College Dictionary, Fourth Edition in case you need a definition.

Pop Culture Universe contains 390 books, 5,450 book chapters, 18,282 encyclopedia entries, and 8,165 images. Decade overviews from 1920s to 2000s. Lesson plans are included in the Teacher's Corner.