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Asian Studies

This page lists resources of interest to Asian Studies. As defined in the Preface to the Encyclopedia of Modern Asia (listed below), Asia is the area that includes the subregions of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and the West-Southwest Asia. Geographically this has Japan in the East, Turkey in the West; Kazakhstan in the North to Indonesia in the South. Nation age ranges from several thousand years old to nation states that are brand new.

Indexes | Reference Books: Encyclopedias; Cultural & Other Information By Country or Culture; Chronologies; Art, Literature, & Music; Philosophy & Religion | Web Sites

Indexes

Use these indexes to identify journal articles on topics of interest.

  • Bibliography of Asian Studies.  (CSU affiliates only)
    Excellent for specialist articles in humanities and social science disciplines.
  • Humanities International Index.   (CSU affiliates only)
    Indexes over 2,000 journals in history, literature, philosophy, and religion.
  • Social Sciences Abstract.   (CSU affiliates only)
    Indexes several hundred core professional journals in political science, sociology, psychology, and anthropology.

Reference Books

The books listed in the sections below are available in Morgan Library Reference.

Encyclopedias

  • Encyclopedia of Asian History.  4 vols.  DS31 .E53 1988 Ref
    Includes Southwest Asia along with other regions.
  • Encyclopedia of China.  DS705 .P47 1999 Ref
    A useful single volume work emphasizing history and culture.
  • Encyclopedia of European and Asian Regional Geology. QE 260 .E53 1997 Ref
    Articles about the geography, history of geologic exploration, present centers of activity, etc.
  • Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. 6 vols. DS 4 .L48 2002 Ref
    Over 2,600 entries and "1,300 illustrations, tables, and sidebars of mainly primary-source materials; 90 maps."
  • Encyclopedia of World Political Systems.  2 vols.   JF51 .D465 2000 Ref
    Arranged by continent and nation.
  • International Historical Statistics: Africa, Asia and Oceania, 1750 --1993.    HA4675 .M55 1998 Ref
    Generally arranged by topic and country.
  • Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan.  9 vols. and supplement.   DS805 .K633 1983 Ref
    Thorough treatment of all aspects of Japanese society and culture.
  • Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.  4 vols.    DS35.53 .O95 1995 Ref
    Detailed articles on all aspects of modern Islam.

Cultural & Other Information By Country or Culture

  • Consumer Asia 2002. HC 411 .C66 2002 Ref
    Statistical source about the economy, regional marketing parameters, and consumer market material.
  • Countries and Their Cultures. 4 vols. GN 307 .C68 2001 Ref
    Contains information about the culture, location, linguistic affiliation, history, daily life, social issues, gender roles, families, religion, arts, etc. Bibliographies.
  • Cultural Atlas of India: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka. DS 521 .J6 1996 Ref
    Information on physical and cultural background, past, arts, religion, etc. Many illustrations in color.
  • CultureGramsTM World Edition: Asia and Oceania. GT 150 .C85 v. 4 [year] Ref Desk
    Brief but packed pages on the background, history, people, customs and courtesies, lifestyle, society, and trends.
  • East, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific 2003. DS 502 .H53 2003 Ref
    Overview of each country, political, societal, and economic. Black and white photos.
  • Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia [year] HC 244 .A1 .E293 Ref Desk
    Extensive overview of each country, with sections on physical geography, history, economy, statistical survey, directory, bibliography, and much more.
  • Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture. DS 822.5 .E516 2002 Ref
    Multiple topics covering a wide range--films, music, politics, etc.
  • Encyclopedia of World Cultures. V. 3 South Asia, V. 5 East and Southeast Asia. GN 307 .E53 1991 Ref
    Entries are by cultural group. Discusses location, history, family life, sociopolitical organization, religion, etc.
  • Far East and Australasia [year]. DS 1 .F3 Ref Desk
    Extensive overview of each country, with sections on physical geography, history, economy, statistical survey, directory, bibliography, and much more.
  • The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women's Issues Worldwide: Asia and Oceania. HQ 1726 .G74 2003 Ref
    Outlines of topics such as education, employment, family, health, etc. related to women in the country.
  • The Middle East and North Africa [year]. DS 49 .M5 Ref Desk
    Extensive overview of each country, with sections on physical geography, history, economy, statistical survey, directory, bibliography, and much more.
  • South Asia [year]. DS 331 .S6518 Ref Desk
    Extensive overview of each country, with sections on physical geography, history, economy, statistical survey, directory, bibliography, and much more.
  • The Southeast Asia Handbook. HC 441 .S687 2001 Ref
    Discusses "a defined range of facts and issues."
  • Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. Volume 3 Asia and Oceania. GN 333 .W67 1998 v. 3 Ref
    Cultural groups are linked with information on location, language, folklore, religion, living conditions, clothing, food, work, etc.
  • Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies. Vol. 3 Asia & the Pacific. HC 15 .W675 2002 v. 3 Ref
    Provides country overview with details on the different sectors of the economy.
  • Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations: Asia & Oceania. G 63 .W67 2004 v. 4 Ref
    Information on many aspects of each nation, covering political aspects, agriculture, industry, and much more.

Chronologies

  • Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture.  DS33 .C63 2000 Ref
    Detailed time lines for East, Southeast, South, and Central Asia.
  • A Political Chronology of Central, South and East Asia. DS 327.5 .P65 2001 Ref
    Country by country chronological listing with exact dates when known.
  • A Political Chronology of South-East Asia and Oceania. DS 525.7 .P65 2001 Ref
    Country by country chronological listing with exact dates when known.

Art, Literature, & Music

  • Dictionary of Art.   34 vols.  N31 .D5 1996 Ref
    Extensive articles on art throughout the world.
  • Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World.  3 vols.   NA208 .E53 1997 Ref
    Detailed descriptions of local domestic architecture.
  • Garland Encyclopedia of World Music.  10 vols.   ML100 .G16 1998 Ref
    Includes volumes on Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia.
  • New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.  29 vols.    ML100 .N48 2001 Ref
    This standard source has detailed articles on music of individual societies and cultures.
  • Reference Guide to World Literature.  2 vols.  PN524 .R44 2003 Ref
    Introductory information on key authors worldwide.
  • World Authors.   PN451 .W....Ref
    This series concentrates upon 1950-2000.

Philosophy & Religion

  • Encyclopedia of Asia Philosophy. B 121 .E53 2001 Ref
    Thinkers and ideas in Asian philosophy.
  • Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion.   BL1005 .L4813 1989 Ref
    Short articles on all aspects of Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, and Hinduism.
  • Encyclopedia of Islam. 11 vols.  DS35.53 .E523 Ref
    A highly detailed and scholarly set.
  • Great Thinkers of the Eastern World.   B5005 .G74 1995 Ref
    Covers China, India, Japan, Korea, and Islam.

Web Sites

These Web sites have varying amounts of information concerning Asian Studies. Some have links out to other Web sites. As in all research, be sure to carefully evaluate what you find.

Subject Guides

Content: Naomi Lederer