Reading lists are an essential tool to introduce students to key topics and authors / thinkers in their subject area. There is no single structure that is appropriate for all. Therefore, reading lists should be structured to reflect the way the subject is taught and the study level. For example, a first-year undergraduate reading list is likely to be far more structured than a postgraduate reading list where students are more familiar with the academic resources.
The University requires that every module has an indicative reading list when it goes to validation. A reading list acts as an introduction to key resources for students studying the module.
A collection development tool – a reading list provides the Library with a range of resources to stock. They also help us to anticipate demand for resources, if we see a specific text is on more than one reading list, we increase the number of copies we have access to.
A starting point, an introduction to the University and the subject area. Students are introduced to tutor recommendations about key thinkers and influential ideas through their reading lists. They also use the reading list as a tool to help them identify search terms to find more information related to their subject area.