Welcome to the Research Guide for Constitutional Law
The library catalog searches a variety of resources by title, author, keyword, or phrase linking you to ebooks, print books in the on-campus collection, and journal articles from both general and subject specific databases. The more specific your search terms, the more specific the results will be. For our Distance Learning (DL) students, excerpts from print items held in the on-campus library can be provided on request.
If you are accessing electronic resources from off-campus and are required to log in, use your student portal user name and password to gain access. If you have difficulty with the website or accessing any resources, please let library staff know by email at askalibrarian@phc.edu or library@phc.edu.
Professional library assistance is cheerfully available on campus, by phone at 540-441-8400, or by email at askalibrarian@phc.edu.
Christianity and Freedom - BT 810.3 .C48 2016 provides an extensive background in legal, historical, and theological issues surrounding the concept of religious freedom and the separation of church and state, especially helpful if your research project involves this often debated topic.
Law books, including constitutional and international law begin in the K section of the library, with U. S. Law beginning at KF. The PHC Library has an extensive collection of law books, including books covering original intent.
LexisNexis Academic - Legal - Search the full text of U.S. and international legal cases. Part of a LexisNexis database.
U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs, 1832-1978 - "Containing nearly 11 million pages of records and briefs brought before the U.S. Supreme Court in the period 1832-1978, this product provides an essential primary source tool for the study of all aspects of American history as well as the U.S. judicial system."
CQ Researcher- Reports are published weekly on a topic of current interest. Reports include an introductory overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources. Articles range from 1923-present. Browse by topic, by date, or search by keyword. With the number of years included, it may give you a way to look at how the attitudes and arguments have changed over time.
Congressional Digest Debates covers opposing views on current controversial issues. Documents are drawn from Congress, the Supreme Court, the United Nations, and other international tribunals.
Supreme Court is the official site developed and maintained by the court. You can listen to archived oral arguments and read court documents.
Oyez Project began as a multimedia experience of "all things" Supreme Court. Of particular note is the access to audio of the arguments before the court, not just the rulings.
Cornell Law allows you to locate the opinion of the court and any concurring or dissenting opinions.
Citation help needed? Legal Citation differs from other citation styles. Legal citation help is available from Cornell's Legal Citation Guide. Government documents also have specific citation requirements. Columbia's Gov Doc Citation Guide can help. For other citation assistance, try OWL (Online Writing Lab).
Search by subject: Once you have located one item in the catalog, you may click on the search term within the record to find other items on the same or similar subjects.
Once you locate an appropriate resource, potential valuable resources may be listed in the item's bibliography.
Interlibrary loan (ILL): If you are unable to locate an item in the PHC online or on-campus collection, you may request resources through Interlibrary loan. ILL requests may be made directly into the library catalog.
