
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/anth340.html
Research Guide for
Anthropology 340
Perspectives on Latin America
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- Choose your topic
- Find background information
- Find books on your topic
- Find periodical articles
- Find news
- Find relevant Web sites
- Evaluate your sources
- Cite your sources
When to Check the Card Catalog
Some materials in the humanities and social sciences acquired prior to 1973 have records that have not yet been converted to digital form. Access to these records is through the card catalog located in Olin Library. The card catalog contains cards for authors, titles, and subjects filed in an alphabetical, word-by-word arrangement.
The Cornell University Library uses Library of Congress subject headings as the standard for subject searching. Unlike searching by keyword, where any term or wording of a topic can be entered into the computer, subject searching requires you to use the exact wording of an official Library of Congress subject heading in order to retrieve search results.
Some useful Library of Congress Subject Headings for this class are:
- america, central america, south america
Common Subject Subdivisions:
- citizens associations
- civil rights
- disappeared persons
- ejercito zapatista de liberacion nacional
- feminism
- feminists
- government, resistance to
- human rights
- indians of...
- indigenous peoples
- insurgency
- liberation theology
- madres de plaza de mayo
- mayas
- peasantry
- [place name, e.g.:] chiapas, guatemala, bolivia, latin
- political persecution
- political violence
- social participation
- social movements
- women
- women in cooperative societies
- womens rights
- terrorism
- -- case studies
Return to Table of Contents
- -- cross cultural studies
- -- interviews
- -- personal narratives
- -- [place name, e.g.:] guatemala, bolivia, latin america, central america, south america
- -- social conditions
FINDING PERIODICAL ARTICLESPeriodical Indexes and Abstracts
Periodical indexes and abstracts identify and locate articles in magazines, journals and newspapers. Periodical indexes provide the authors, titles, and sometimes abstracts, of relevant articles, along with the name of the periodical, volume, pages and date. Some online periodical indexes also provide the full-text of the article. When full-text articles are not provided, use the Cornell Library Catalog to determine which library owns the periodicals you need.
Periodical Indexes and Abstracts
Anthropological Literature. Cambridge, Mass.: Tozzer Library, Harvard University. 1984- . Updated quarterly.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)The most comprehensive index for journal articles in anthropology. Contains references to English- and other European-language articles that appear in nearly 900 journals or edited collections held by the Tozzer Library at Harvard. Primary emphasis is on archaeology, anthropology (biological, physical, cultural, social) and linguistics. Book reviews, conference proceedings and reports are not included. Coverage extends back into the 19th century. Books, maps and audiovisual material in the Tozzer Library are listed in the Anthropology Bibliography on Disc.
Hispanic American Periodicals Index (HAPI). UCLA Latin American Center, 1970- . Quarterly.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection; also in print at Olin Ref +AI 17 H67)
Contains citations to articles, book reviews, documents, and original literary works in over 400 scholarly journals published in Latin America or treating Latin American and U.S. Hispanic topics. Subjects covered include business, finance, education, literature, management, politics, public health, trade, women's studies and current topics such as the drug war and human rights. It excludes weekly news magazines and newspapers and pure science and technical sources. Materials are written in Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. The language of the title determines the language of the article. The online version enables you to limit your search by language.
HLAS Online Handbook of Latin American Studies.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)
Also available in print as the Handbook of Latin American Studies. Gainesville: Florida P, 1935-.
(Olin Ref Z 1605 H23)The Handbook is an extensive, annotated bibliography on Latin America consisting of works selected and annotated by scholars. Edited by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress, the multidisciplinary Handbook covers social sciences and the humanities. Each year, academics from around the world choose over 5,000 works for inclusion in the Handbook. Continuously published since 1935, the Handbook offers Latin Americanists an essential guide to available resources. HLAS Online provides rapid, comprehensive access to current and retrospective volumes of the Handbook, as well as future volumes which are not yet in print.
PAIS. Wellesley Hills: Silver Platter, 1991- . Quarterly updates.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)See also the print version: Public Affairs Information Service. Bulletin. 1915- . Monthly. (Olin Ref Z7163 P971+)
PAIS is an international index to periodical articles, books, and government documents about public policy issues: political, economic, and social conditions, public administration, and international affairs. The online version (indexing from both PAIS Bulletin and PAIS Foreign Language Index from 1972 to the present) allows more flexibility in searching by subject. The print version provides access to items indexed before 1972. Many entries include brief abstracts.
Periodical Abstracts. ProQuest Direct Web: 1986- .
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)Available as part of the ProQuest Direct system, Periodical Abstracts indexes and abstracts over 1500 periodicals, covering general interest magazines, newspapers and scholarly journals in the social sciences, humanities and sciences. Also included are citations and abstracts to selected television and radio programs. The ProQuest Direct Web interface provides the full-text, in several formats, of many articles contained in the database.
Women's Resources International. Baltimore, MD : National Information Services Corp., c1991, 1996- .
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)An interdisciplinary database which includes Women Studies Abstracts (1984-present), and Women's Studies Database (1972-present) which provide references to journal articles and other materials pertaining to all aspects of women's studies. Also includes the resource, New Books on Women and Feminism (1987-present), Women of Color and Southern Women (1975-present), The History of Women and Science, Health, and Technology: A Bibliographic Guide to the Professions and Disciplines (1970-1995), Women's Health and Development: An Annotated Bibliography (1995), Women, Race, and Ethnicity: A Bibliography (1970- 1990), WAVE: Women's Audiovisuals in English: A Guide to Nonprint Resources in Women's Studies (1985-1990). NISC will add new databases as they become available.
An ever growing number of periodical indexes offer access to the full-text of articles electronically. Use the Cornell Library Gateway to find full-text resources.
Academic Universe. Dayton: Mead Data Central.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)Created for lawyers, businesses, and broadcast and print news organizations. Formerly called LEXIS/NEXIS, Academic Universe contains the full text of a number of large- and medium-size newspapers; transcripts of broadcast news shows, interviews, and press conferences; local and state business publications; wire services; some popular magazines; and legal materials. Since it is updated daily, it is an excellent index to current topics and events. Under the heading "General News", in the box labelled "Source Material," the default display is for "Major Newspapers" but you can also select "North/South America News."
AccessUN. 1966-.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)Provides citations for current and retrospective United Nations documents and publications. Selected documents are available full text.
CHIP. Compiled by Steve Anderson. Santiago, Chile : Chile Information Project.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection; also Olin Library Oversize + JC599.C5 C54)
English-language information on whatever subject you find interesting about Chile. Currently features Daily News, Trade & Investment Information, a Travel Guide, and an Environmental Report. Also includes a section on "Human Rights in Chile" which is in both English and Spanish and covers 25 years of Chilean history. A joint venture project by the Ford Foundation and the Chile Information Project, the site's objectives are: to serve as a human rights documentary resource of easy access, to serve as a news source on the situation of human rights today, and to foster and support the recovery of historic memory of the period of military rule in Chile.
Ethnic NewsWatch. Stamford: Softline Information, 1992- . Monthly.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection; CD-ROM at Uris Ref)This is a multi-cultural database containing the full-text of articles, columns, and editorials from 125 ethnic and minority American newspapers and news magazines. It includes African-American, Arab-American, Asian-American, Eastern European, European, Hispanic/Chicano/Latino, Jewish, and Native American publications. Spanish-language newspapers are in Spanish; the database is searchable in English and Spanish. Local, national, and international business, economic, political, and social issues are covered in addition to entertainment, fashion and music topics.
GenderWatch. Stamford, CT: SoftLine Information, 1970- .
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)A full-text database of scholarly journals, magazines, newsletters, newspapers and special reports that focus on the impact of gender across a broad spectrum of subject areas. In addition to women and gender studies topics covered are relevant to culture, education, family, health, international issues, politics, government, religion, sociology and more. All articles are fully indexed -- free text and boolean searching are also available.
World News Connection. Springfield, VA: National Technical Information Service.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection)A Web-based information system providing local news coverage of issues and events from Central Eurasia, East Asia, Near East & South Asia, China, East Europe, West Europe, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. WNC provides access to the full text of speeches, TV & radio broadcasts, books, and reports from the past 2 years. The material is wide-reaching with an emphasis on political, socioeconomic, scientific, technical, and environmental information. Generally, the information in WNC is available within 48-72 hours from the time of the original publication or broadcast. All material is translated into English. This is an extension of FBIS (Foreign Broadcast Information Service).
FINDING RESOURCES ON THE WEBOKU Reference List of Internet Search Engines
OKU Reference List of Internet Subject Guides
Internet Reference Resources chosen by the O*K*U Reference staff
Selected Web Resources for this ClassAAAS Directory of Human Rights Resources on the Internet. (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Human Rights. (Yahoo Directory)
Human Rights Library. (Graduate Institute of International Studies)
Human Rights Page. (Mining Company)
National Security Archive. (Declassified U.S. documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
EVALUATING SOURCES
Evaluating the sources you find is a crucial step in the process of library research. The questions you ask about books, periodical articles, or multimedia sources are similar whether you're looking at a citation to the item or have the item in hand.
How to Critically Analyze Information Sources lists some of the critical questions you should ask when you consider the appropriateness of a particular book, article, media resource, or Web site for your research.
CITING SOURCES
RESEARCH AND REFERENCE HELP-
Library Gateway Help
Reference Desk Schedules in Olin and Uris Libraries
-
Olin Library Reference phone number: 255-4144
Uris Library Reference phone number: 255-2339
Olin Kroch Uris Reference e-mail address: okuref@cornell.edu
New online Reference Help service. Presently available M-F, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- america, central america, south america
DEVELOPING A SEARCH STRATEGY
DEVELOPING A SEARCH STRATEGYSearch strategy is a library term for the process of finding information in a logical, step-by-step manner. Using a search strategy insures that you will find the information or material you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Research Steps:
For online help using on library research strategy and using library resources, try using Library Research, a Hypertext Guide - online, hypertext-based tutorial on library research.
FINDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
FINDING BACKGROUND INFORMATIONEncyclopedias, Dictionaries, Guides and Handbooks
The materials listed below are a selection of reference resources for finding background information and context for topics you will be covering in this class. Note the call numbers and library locations for these materials and check the reference collections for additional sources of background information. The authors of articles in reference books often provide bibliographies of selected books and articles for further study.
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
The
Cambridge Encyclopedia of Latin America and the Caribbean. Collier, Simon, Harold Blakemore, and Thomas E. Skidmore, gen. eds. Cambridge:
Cambridge UP, 1992.
(Uris Ref F 1406 C17 1992; also Olin Ref)
An excellent encyclopedia for a broad overview of the areas covered. Long essays discuss the physical environment, economy, history, politics, and culture. There are excellent maps, charts and photographs throughout the volume. Short bibliographies appear at the end of most essays and there is an index at the end of the book.
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean Culture
Daniel Balderston, Mike Gonzalez, and Ana M. Lopez, eds. New York, Routledge, 2000. 3 vols. Index. (Olin Ref F1406 .E515x 2000 +)
The stated goal of the editors of this work was to recognize and define cultural events, sites, people and monuments of Latin America and the Caribbean while explaining how they contribute to the historical and social background of each area. Although the text under each heading is frequently brief, the entries are signed and a list of sources to consult is often provided. Words in bold typeface within the entries indicate that there is a separate entry for that word or phrase within the encyclopedia. A detailed subject index at the end and a lengthy thematic grouping of entries at the beginning of Vol. 1 enhance the usefulness of this set.
Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology. Sponsored by the Human Relations Area Files at Yale University; edited by David Levinson & Melvin Ember. New York: Holt, 1996. 4 vols.
(Uris Ref GN307 .E52x 1996; also Olin Ref)
Over 300 articles contained in this four volume set cover all approaches, methods, concepts, and topics central to the study of cultural anthropology. Articles have bibliographies and the set has an index and an appendix of anthropological periodicals. Vol. 2 has a chapter on "Human Rights and Advocacy Anthropology", pp.602-607, which includes a section on the role and stance of the American Anthropological Association in regard to human rights and a bibliography of relevant books, journal articles and reports.
Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture. 5 vols. New York: Scribners, 1995-1996.
(Uris Ref F 1406 .E53x 1995)
There is a chapter on each country as well as separate essays on topics such as human rights. The detailed subject index at the end of volume 5 includes topics such as the Zapatista Army and Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Valuable selective bibliographies are provided at the end of each article.
Encyclopedia of Human Rights compiled by Edward Lawson. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis, 1996. (Olin Ref JC571 E61 1996+)
An authoritative comprehensive reference work covering topics related to human rights, international human rights instruments (some fulll-text), international organization and NGO human rights programs, biographies of Nobel Peace Prize winners. Particularly valuable are summaries of the state of human rights in 186 countries and territories. Extensive bibliographies and references to United Nations documents.
Encyclopedia of Human Rights Issues Since 1945. Winston E.
Langley. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. (Olin Ref JC 571 .L2747x 1999)
Provides concise definitions and descriptions of concepts, issues, people, events, organizations, and legal conventions related to human rights and the human rights movement. Includes selected references to sources for more in-depth reading at the end of each entry.
Latin America: A Political Dictionary. Rossi, Ernest E., and Jack C. Plano. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, c1992. (Olin Ref +F1406 R83 1992; Uris stacks 1980ed.)
The purpose of this political dictionary is to "enable students of Latin American politics, economics, sociology, geography, and history to acquire easily and accurately a knowledge of some of the basics that relate to this region of the world." (Preface) Arrangement is alphabetical within subject matter chapters. When in doubt, check the general index in the back.
Women's Studies Encyclopedia. Tierney, Helen, ed. rev. & expanded ed. 3 vols. New York: Greenwood, 1999. (Olin Ref HQ 1115.W875 1999)
Short articles provide basic definitions and information about a wide variety of women's studies topics from all fields and disciplines of study. Articles are signed and are directed toward an educated but non-specialist audience. Most include a brief, representative bibliography. The detailed subject index at the end of volume 3 contains several entries under headings such as Latin America, Chile, and Peru.
Guides and Handbooks
Amnesty International Report, 2000 London : Amnesty International Publications, 1975/76- .
(Uris Ref JC 491 E63x 1998)
Documents human rights issues of concern to Amnesty International worldwide during 1999 and reflects their activities undertaken to promote human rights and campaigns against human rights abuses. Arranged alphabetically by country. At the end, it includes information about which states are bound by key international and human rights treaties.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Washington: GPO, 1993- .
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection 1993-; Uris Stacks JC571 .C85 1980-; also Olin JC571 .H925 and Law)
These reports on individual country human rights practices are prepared annually by the Department of State in compliance with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which requires human rights reports on all countries that receive aid from the United States and all countries that are members of the United Nations. Reports include sections on recent history, respect for human rights, respect for political rights, and details on the economic, social, and cultural situations for each country. Entries are arranged alphabetically by country under regional headings.
CQ Weekly Report. 1946 -.
(Library Gateway, e-Reference Collection; print edition available in Olin and Uris Ref +JK 1 C661)
This news service provides weekly summaries of Congressional action and developments. Includes information on events in the Executive and Judicial branches of the government.
Critique. New York, NY : Americas Watch 1982- .
(Olin Stacks +JC571 .C93; also Law Stacks)
Critique of the Department of State's country reports on human rights practices. Issued by the Lawyers Committee for International Human Rights. Previously issued by The Watch Committees (Americas Watch/Asia Watch/Helsinki Watch and others.
World Human Rights Guide. Originated and compiled by Charles Humana.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
(Olin Ref JC571 .H936 1992)
Provides an assessment of human rights in countries around the world based upon 40 indicators which include legal rights as well as personal freedoms. the texts of the Universal declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are provided at the end.
FINDING BOOKSCornell University Library Catalog and the Olin Library Card Catalog
FINDING BOOKSCornell University Library Catalog and the Olin Library Card Catalog
The Cornell University Library Catalog includes the holdings of all 17 libraries on the Ithaca campus, in addition to those of the Geneva Experiment Station. The catalog contains records for books, computer files, government documents, manuscripts and archives, maps, musical scores, periodicals, serials, sound recordings, and visual materials received and cataloged since 1973. There are also records for most pre-1973 items, and for items that are on order or in process.
Connect to the Cornell University Library Catalog
February 5, 2002 (lt)
Nancy Skipper, nss3@cornell.edu
Reference Services Division, Olin Kroch Uris Libraries
Cornell University Library
URL: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/340.html![]()
Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca
NY 14853
Information and reference: 607-255-4144, okuref@cornell.edu
Circulation: (Olin) 607-255-4245, (Uris) 607-255-3537, olincirc@cornell.edu

