AAAS 191 / HIST 191: Early African History

• Look at your syllabus for topic ideas

• Identify "keywords" for your topic

• The Libraries' Try These First list of databases is a good place to start to develop your topic. Use identified keywords to find articles on your topic.

• Use encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference works (provide background information and overviews of topics, cited works, a good starting point for your topic).

• Use Bibliographies to locate information in books, journals, magazines, newspapers, etc. on a topic. Example: In "Basic Search" OR "Advanced Search" in The CAT, enter "gender roles and Africa" as Keywords.

• Talk to your instructor or librarian about how to narrow/broaden your topic, etc.

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference works provide background information and overviews of topics - also a good starting point for research.

Locate encyclopedias and other reference works, books, and other materials (videos, audio formats, dissertations, electronic formats) in The CAT (Penn State Libraries' online Catalog)

• Go to "Advanced Search" in the CAT

• Enter identified keyword(s)

• Select Material Type: "Reference Book" OR "Book or Bound Serial", "video material", etc.

• Limit to year, library, etc.

• Use the "I want It" button to have books delivered to you from another campus location.

Print Encyclopedias

• Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience

• Encyclopedia of Africa South of the Sahara

• Encyclopedia of African History

• Encyclopedia of African History and culture

• Encyclopedia of African Nations and civilizations

• Encyclopedia of African Peoples

• Encyclopedia of Pre-colonial Africa: Archaeology, History, Languages, Cultures, and Environments

Online Encyclopedias

Available via the Libraries' Databases by Title [A-Z] list:

• Gale Virtual Reference Library/p>

• Oxford African American Studies Center

• Oxford Reference Online

• International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

The following databases are available through the Libraries' "Electronic Resources" Databases by Title (A-Z List) or by subject using Research Guides:

• JSTOR

• Historical Abstracts

• Project Muse

• Anthropology Plus

• International Index to Black Periodicals (full text)

• Women's Studies International

• Worldwide Political Science Abstracts

• Oxford African American Studies Center

• African Studies Internet Resources (Columbia University Libraries)

• Africa South of the Sahara (Karen Fung, Stanford University)

• African Traditional Religion (Chidi Denis Isizoh)

• Information Literacy & You (Penn State University Libraries)

Recommended

Citation and Writing Guides (step-by-step instructions about how to cite books, journal articles, Internet resources, etc.)