Guides: International Studies: Getting Started

Find Background Information: Search Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and More

This page features reference resources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) which are a good place to get background information on your topic or browse for new topic ideas. Search across multiple online reference sources at once or come to the library to peruse our print reference collection.

Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
A collection of over 3,000 reference works, covering all disciplines.
Oxford Reference Online This link opens in a new window
This online source provides access to subject and language reference works from Oxford University Press. In addition to text, access is provided to maps and illustrations, timelines, web sites, and bibliographies.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
An online collection of over 600 full-text reference works, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and more.

General International Studies Resources

Encyclopedia of Global Studies by Helmut K. Anheier (Editor); Mark Juergensmeyer (Editor)
Call Number: Ref JZ1318 .E626 2012
Publication Date: 2012-01-01
The Oxford International Encyclopedia of Peace by Nigel Young (Editor)
Call Number: Ref JZ5533 .O95 2010
ISBN: 9780195334685
Publication Date: 2010-02-18

East Asia

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan
Call Number: Ref DS805 .C36 1993
China Today
Call Number: Ref DS777.6 .C458 2005
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture
Call Number: Ref DS822.5 .E516 2002
Encyclopedia of Modern Asia by Karen Christensen (Editor); David Levinson (Editor)
Call Number: Ref DS4 .E53 2002
Publication Date: 2002-11-27
Encyclopedia of Modern China by David Pong (Editor)
Call Number: Ref DS755 .E53 2009
Publication Date: 2009-07-31
Historical Dictionary of Burma (Myanmar)
Call Number: Ref DS528.34 .S44 2006
Historical Dictionary of Cambodia
Call Number: Ref DS554.25 .C67 2003
Historical Dictionary of Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Call Number: Ref DS930.8 .H63 2012
Historical Dictionary of Laos
Call Number: Ref DS555.25 .S78 2008
Historical Dictionary of Malaysia
Call Number: Ref DS596 .K36 2001
Historical Dictionary of Thailand
Call Number: Ref DS571 .S578 2005
Historical Dictionary of the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR
Call Number: Ref DS796.H757 C428 2006
Historical Dictionary of the People's Republic of China
Call Number: Ref DS777.55 .S835 2007
Historical Dictionary of the Philippines
Call Number: Ref DS667 .G85 2005
Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Korea
Call Number: Ref DS904.8 .H63 2015
Historical Dictionary of Vietnam
Call Number: Ref DS556.25 .D85 2006

Europe and Russia

Encyclopedia of contemporary Spanish culture
Call Number: Ref DP233.5 .E63 1999
Encyclopedia of Eastern Europe
Call Number: Ref DJK6 .E53 2000
Encyclopedia of Ukraine
Call Number: Ref DK508 .E613 1984
Historical dictionary of Bulgaria
Call Number: Ref DR65 .D48 2015
Historical dictionary of Denmark
Call Number: Ref DL105 .T46 2009
Historical dictionary of Estonia
Call Number: Ref DK503.37 .M55 2004
Historical dictionary of Finland
Call Number: Ref DL1007 .M38 2007
Historical dictionary of Iceland
Call Number: Ref DL338 .G82 2008
Historical dictionary of Kosovo
Call Number: Ref DR2075.6 .E46 2004
Historical dictionary of Malta
Call Number: DG989.8 .B47 1995
Historical dictionary of modern Italy
Call Number: Ref DG555 .G53 2007
Historical dictionary of Sweden
Call Number: Ref DL643 .S37 2006
Historical dictionary of the Netherlands
Call Number: Ref DH101 .H88 2007
Historical dictionary of Turkey
Call Number: Ref DR436 .H47 2002
The tribes of Albania : history, society and culture
Call Number: Ref DR950 .E47 2015

Middle East and India

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives
Call Number: Ref DS334.9 .C36 1989
Historical dictionary of Iran
Call Number: Ref DS270 .L67 2007
Iran is a country with a deep and complex history. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Iran gives readers an overview of specific events, movements, people, political and social groups, places, and trends. The modern period in particular - 1800 to present - is covered extensively.
Historical dictionary of Iraq
Call Number: Ref DS70.9 .G47 2013
Historical dictionary of Kyrgyzstan
Call Number: Ref DK918.12 .A23 2004
Historical dictionary of Lebanon
Call Number: Ref DS80.9 .A28 1998
Historical Dictionary of Pakistan
Call Number: Ref DS382 .B87 2015
Historical dictionary of Saudi Arabia
Call Number: Ref DS221 .P48 2003
Historical dictionary of Syria
Call Number: Ref DS94.9 .C66 2014
Historical dictionary of the Gulf Arab states
Call Number: Ref DS247.A15 P43 2008
Historical dictionary of the Kurds
Call Number: Ref DS59.K86 G86 2004
Historical dictionary of Turkmenistan
Call Number: Ref DK938.12 .A2 2005
The Oxford encyclopedia of the Islamic world
Call Number: Ref DS35.53 .O96 2009
This unique reference is a comprehensive encyclopedia dedicated to the institutions, religion, politics, and culture in Muslim societies throughout the world. Beginning coverage in the sixth century and extending it to the present day, the Encyclopedia covers Muslims in the Arab heartland as well as South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Historical dictionary of Afghanistan
Call Number: Ref DS356 .A27 2012
Historical dictionary of Pakistan
Call Number: Ref DS382 .B87 2015
Historical dictionary of Bangladesh
Call Number: Ref DS394.5 .B39 2010
Encyclopedia of India
Call Number: Ref DS405 .E556 2006
Encyclopedia of the Palestinians
Call Number: Ref DS113.6 .E53 2005