Why Use Encyclopedias?
Background sources like encyclopedias can provide context for your topic, or even help you choose one. They are great places to start because:
- they explain topics in simpler language than scholarly articles
- they are much shorter (often just a just a page or two, instead of the 20 pages or more found in a scholarly article or the hundreds of pages found in a book)
- they highlight important issues, figures, dates, and/or events that you may want to focus on in your paper or project
- they give you suggested sources for further research in the form of bibliographies or works cited
Encyclopedias
The following are recommended encyclopedias in the field of Women's Studies. You can read them online 24/7.
Encyclopedia of Women in Today's WorldCall Number: E-BookPublication Date: 2011Looks at women today and delves into contexts of being female in the 21st century. Focuses on women's status starting approximately in the year 2000 and going forward and covers the spectrum of defining women in the contemporary world.
Encyclopedia of Gender and SocietyCall Number: E-BookPublication Date: 2009Covers the major theories, research, people, and issues in contemporary gender studies. Offers a cross-national/cross-cultural perspective that provides comparative analyses of the life experiences of men and women around the world..
Women and Politics around the WorldCall Number: E-BookPublication Date: 2009Examines the progress women have made in achieving political equality and addresses both transnational and gender-related issues as well as specific conditions in more than 20 countries.
Women's Rights: People and PerspectivesCall Number: E-BookPublication Date: 2010Explores the history of the struggle for women's rights in the United States from the colonial period to the present.
Gender Issues and Sexuality: Essential Primary SourcesCall Number: E-BookPublication Date: 2006A focus on leading social issues of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Each title contains approximately 175 full or excerpted documents---speeches, legislation, magazine and newspaper articles, essays, memoirs, letters, interviews, novels, songs, and works of art---as well as overview information that places each document in context.
Print Encyclopedias
These works are housed in the reference section. If you need assistance locating them please ask at the reference desk,
Encyclopedia of Women and Gender by Call Number: R 305.403 E56 (Location: Reference)The Encyclopedia of Gender examines personality, cognition, and behavior, as well as biologically based differences and how those differences impact behavior. Two volume set proves 100 plus detailed articles along with added features such as an outline, glossary and a reference list. This work goes beyond female/male divide exploring class and race differences with in gender issues.
Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women by Call Number: R 305.403 R869 (Location: Reference)Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women provides global coverage of women's issues and concerns, from violence and sexuality to feminist theory. Written as a reference work for a new century the set has 900 plus signed entries. The set provides a distinct feminist tone. Biographies are not included.
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women's Issues Worldwide by Call Number: R 305.42 G8165s (Location: Reference)This set of six volumes provides information on women's issues in over 130 countries. Each volume represents a continent and the entries are arranged A to Z. An excellent starting place for nation based research.
American Masculinities by Call Number: R 305.3103 A512 2003 (Location: Reference)With more than 250 signed entries this work supports research in men’s studies. It has a readers guide to facilitate subject browsing, excellent cross references and an extensive index. Biographies are included of popular culture icons.
Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered History in AmericaCall Number: R 306.766 E56 (Location: Reference)This scholarly three-volume set offers a comprehensive survey of lesbian and gay history and culture in the United States. The encyclopedia includes some 545 articles articles ranging from short biographical entries to longer essays surveying topics such as the Stonewall riots, federal law and policy, same-sex institutions and AIDS.
Encyclopedia of Lesbian and Gay Histories and Cultures by Call Number: R 306.766 G285Publication Date: 1999-12-01This two-volume encyclopedia has been prepared with a volumes covering Gay and Lesbian history. Its goal is to ensure an unbiased presentation. This reference set should assist the general public undergraduates and scholars.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Americans at Risk by Call Number: R 306.766 l623 2018Publication Date: 2018-02-16This three-volume set of essays addresses the LGBTQ+ experience arranged around the human life cycle--youth, middle age, and old age. The intended audience includes the general public along with activists, scholars, and students. Each volume has a separate index.
Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations by Call Number: R 306.766 U554 2020Publication Date: 2021-01-23Understanding the Well-Being of LGBTQI+ Populations reviews the available evidence and identifies future research needs related to the well-being of sexually gender diverse (SGD) populations across the life course. Each chapter has a separate index.
The Rowman and Littlefield Handbook of Transgender Studies by Call Number: R 306.768 R884 2023Publication Date: 2023-02-26The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Transgender Studies offers 13 essays that address a wide range of topics, including medical care, education, coming out, bathroom and military politics and possibilities, and the creation of families. Each essay has its own index.
The Global Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History by Call Number: 306.76 G562 2018Publication Date: 2019-02-08This three-volume set offers a global view of the history of LGBTQ, covering significant figures and events worldwide. Wide-ranging in scope, this encyclopedia complements courses in a variety of disciplines, including history, literature, psychology, sociology, and others. Articles in bibliography and see also.
