Library Resources for AAA S 191, Sections 001 and 002 : Early African History
Spring 2008

Sylvia Nyana, Social Sciences Librarian
Office: 2nd Floor Paterno Library
san17@psu.edu
814-865-8864

University Libraries' home page: libraries.psu.edu

African Studies Reference Books [Social Sciences Library Web page]

1) Identify and develop your topic

• Look at your syllabus for topic ideas
• Use encyclopedias, dictionaries and other reference works
• Use Bibliographies to locate information in books, journals, magazines, newspapers, etc. on a topic:
  Example: In Basic Search, enter "Black nationalism bibliography" as Keywords
• Talk to your instructor or librarian

2) Identify keywords and related words

Use identified keywords to search for Encyclopedias, Dictionaries and Other Reference Works in Print and Online.

Reference titles will provide background information and overviews of topics, cited works. They are a good starting point for your topic.

Go to "Advanced Search" in the CAT. Enter "keyword(s)". Limit your search to format, year, library, etc.

Encyclopedias and Other Reference Works (General)

• Gale Virtual Reference Library [available through the Libraries' Databases By Title (A-Z List)]
• Oxford African American Center [available through the Libraries' Databases By Title (A-Z List)]
• Encyclopedia of Africa south of the Sahara (print)
• The Encyclopedia of African and African-American religions (print)
• African historical dictionaries (series)

Databases [available through the Libraries' Databases by Title (A-Z List)]

• America : History and Life
• Project Muse
• JSTOR
• ProQuest (Multiple databases)
• International Index to Black Periodicals (Full-text)

Web Resources

• Africa South of the Sahara
  Prepared by Karen Fung for the Information and Communication Technology Group (ICTG), African Studies Association, USA.
• African Traditional Religion [Webpage maintained by Chidi Denis Isizoh]
• African Studies Internet Resources [Columbia University Libraries]

Cite your Work

Information Literacy & You

Topic Ideas

• African Civilization (kingdoms/politics, religion, family, textiles, medicine, writings, education, art, etc.)
• Trans-Atlantic Slave trade
• Colonialism (French, British, etc.)
• Black Nationalism (Africa and Diaspora)
• Black resistance and rebellions
• Pan-Africanism
• African religion, Christianity/African Religion, Islam/African Religion, etc.
• African Diaspora, black diaspora, etc.