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Research other cultures
Here is a sampling of reference sources to help you understand other cultures:
- Africana
- Reference DT14 .A37435 2005. Encyclopedia on a broad range of topics.
- Cambridge encyclopedia of Japan
- Reference DS805 .C36 1993. Heavy concentration on philosophy, religion, and arts and society.
- Countries and their cultures
- Reference GN307 .C68 2001. Brief information about each country and its culture.
- Encyclopedia of aesthetics
- Reference BH56 .E53 1998. Aesthetic theory and practice for all societies. The Encyclopedia of Aesthetics may also be searched online at Oxford Art Online.
- The encyclopedia of African history and culture
- Reference DT3 .P27 2001. Chronologically arranged encyclopedia of culture and history.
- Encyclopedia of contemporary Chinese culture
- Reference DS779.23 .E53 2005. Concentrates on contemporary culture.
- Encyclopedia of contemporary Japanese culture
- Reference DS822.5 .E516 2002. Concentrates on contemporary culture.
- Encyclopedia of India
- Reference DS405 .E556 2006. Broad coverage of India.
- Encyclopedia of the modern Middle East & North Africa
- Reference DS43 .E53 1996. All aspects of modern Middle Eastern history and culture.
- New dictionary of the history of ideas
- Reference CB9 .N49 2005. Good coverage of aesthetic, philosophical, and religious topics.
- New encyclopedia of Africa
- Reference DT2 .N48 2008. Comprehensive encyclopedia.
- Worldmark encyclopedia of cultures and daily life
- Reference GN333 .W67 1998. Brief information on a wide range of cultures.
If you are interested in more in-depth information try doing these subject searches in the Library Catalog. Name of country followed by any of these subheadings Civilization, Social Life and Customs, Intellectual Life, etc.
For example: China - Civilization.
Sacred site visit
Preparing for your visit by doing some research will make it more understandable and meaningful. Above you saw how to research the culture. Here are some ways you can research the religion itself.
These reference books offer a good overview of the religious beliefs, doctrines, symbols, etc. that you will be encountering:
- Encyclopedia of American religions
- Reference BL2525 .M449 2003. World religions as practiced in the United States.
- Encyclopedia of religious rites, rituals, and festivals
- Reference BL31 .E47 2004. Rituals arranged by topic with some cross-cultural comparisons.
- Religions of the world : a comprehensive encyclopedia of beliefs and practices
- Reference BL80.3 .R45 2002. Religions or place can be looked up.
- Religious holidays and calendars : an encyclopedic handbook
- Reference GT3925 .K45 2004 . Overview of religion and worship traditions along with a list of holidays.
- Traditional festivals : a multicultural encyclopedia
- Reference GT3925 .R69 2005. Covers both secular and religious festivals.
- Worldmark encyclopedia of religious practices
- Reference BL80.3 .W67 2006. Includes history of the religion, doctrines, sacred books, houses of worship rituals, etc.
For practical advice about visiting try
- How to be a perfect stranger : the essential religious etiquette handbook
- Reference BJ2010 .H68 2006 There are also copies in General which can be checked out.
For more in depth information on a particular subject go to the Library Catalog and do a subject search on the religion you will be visiting followed by the words "Study and Teaching" or the subheading "Essence Genius Nature". For example: Islam - Study and Teaching or Islam Essence Genius Nature
Museum visit
A good place to begin your research of a work of art is by consulting the Grove Dictionary of Art. It can be found in the Library's reference collection at N31 .D5 1996. The Dictionary of Art has sound scholarship on all art formats from all cultures and time periods. The online version is contained in the Oxford Art Online database. To use Oxford Art Online from of campus you will need to have a library card. Only three people can use the database at the same time, so don't wait until the last moment.
For more extensive research you will want to use the Library catalog and do a subject search. Some sample searches are:
- Painting, Chinese
- Art, Buddhist
Of course you can substitute any art form or any culture.
If you have a particular artist you can search by name; remember to put last name first. Example:
- Katsushika, Hokusai
Or you can search for books published by the art museum. This time you want to do an author search. For example:
- Art Institute of Chicago.
Many museums have excellent web sites.
For more help please visit or contact the Library Reference Desk.
Ken Orenic, Reference Librarian
630.942.2338
orenick@cod.edu
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