Library Resources for French 083
Fall 2007
Topic: Decadence
The nature of research into this period of French culture means using resources about French history, literature, philosophy, visual arts, music and popular culture. To start off, I recommend the following reference sources. Some are available only in print, others in both print and online.
Reference books
Located in the Arts and Humanities Library Reference collection, 2nd floor Pattee stacks.
The Columbia History of Twentieth-Century French Thought. L. Kritzman. New York: Columbia University Press, 2006.
DC33.7.C575 2006
Encyclopedia of modern French thought. C. Murray. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn, 2004.
DC33.7.E55 2004
Encyclopedia of contemporary French culture. A. Hughes. London, New York: Routledge. 1998.
DC33.7.E53 1998
French Culture, 1900-1975. C. Brosman. Detroit: Gale Research, 1995.
DC33.7.F726 1995
Handbook of French Popular Culture. P. Horn. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. 1991
DC33.7.H29 1991
Dictionary of Art. (Grove Dictionary of Art). Despite its name, this is a 34-volume encyclopedia. Each article includes a bibliography for further readings. Available in the Ready Reference section of the Arts and Humanities Library (near the reference desk) and online.
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. (Grove Dictionary of Music). Again despite the name, a 29-volume encyclopedia of scholarly articles including bibliographies. Availabe in Ready Reference and online. There are also two even more specialized sets: a three-volume Grove Dictionary of Opera and a 3-bolume Grove Dictionary of Jazz in Ready Reference.
Finding articles
To find scholarly articles, go to one of the databases listed below. Enter two appropriate search terms. Take a look at the subject headings attached to each article record to see if those terms will help you find more material. Click on the I Want It button attached to the records of articles you want to read. That service will lead you to an online copy of the article or will help you search the CAT to see where to find the journal in paper in the library. If the library does not own that journal at all, the third choice on the I Want It screen will help you request the item via interlibrary loan.
MLA International Bibliography
While this is identified primarily as a literature database, it actually indexes articles about a wide range of cultural works and would be appropriate for all the topics chosen by students in this class.
For scholarly articles about the visual arts and architecture.
Avery Index to Architecture Journals
This has a self-explanatory title.
For articles about the history of France, culture, Paris…
Finding Books
Use the CAT to find books in the PSU libraries. Remember to look at the subject headings in individual book records to see if they can lead you to more material.
Sample searches:
Keyword: Gustave Klimt
This search will find books by Klimt and about Klimt.
Author: Klimt, Gustave
Will find books by Klimt (i.e., reproductions of his works).
LC Subj Heading: Klimt, Gustave
Will find books about Klimt and his work.
Finding books not at Penn State
Go to WorldCAT and search it just like the CAT. If Penn State owns the book, you will see a little yellow icon that says Penn State next to the record. If we do not own the book, click on the title of the book to get to the complete record. There is a link on each record that says “Request this item by ILL.” If you click on that link you will be asked to sign into ILLiad, our interlibrary loan (ILL) system. The computer will automatically fill in your request. All you have to do is click on the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
Non-written documents
Searching the CAT using the name of artists and musicians as “authors” will take you to books of art reproductions, sheet music and recordings. We can use similar techniques to find city plans, architectural plans, DVDs, etc. etc.
Our art librarian also recommends using http://images.google.com/ to find art reproductions and photographs (both new and historical).
HELP
You can visit our Reference Desk on the second floor of West Pattee or use the ASK! Button on the Libraries' home page to get more help.