Archive for the tag 'Asian Studies'

New Reference Book: The Koreas

March 1st, 2011

The Koreas: Asia in Focus edited by Mary E. Conner, ABC-Clio, 2009.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 951.9 C76K

A one volume set covering historical and contemporary Korean topics.  This volume is divided into 7 chapters:

  1. Geography
  2. History
  3. Government and Politics
  4. Economy
  5. Society
  6. Culture
  7. Contemporary Issues

Each chapter is then divided into several sub-headings, including:

  • Geography – The Korean Peninsula
  • History – The Colonial Period (1910-1945)
  • Government and Politics – The Impact of Tradition on Political Development
  • Economy – Labor
  • Society – Social Classes & Ethnicity
  • Culture – Etiquette
  • Contemporary Issues – The Koreas in the Information Age


Helpful for: Korea Week, Asian Studies, Global Studies, Humanities

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New Reference Book: Society and Culture in the Ancient World

October 19th, 2010

Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Ancient World edited by Peter Bogucki, Facts on File, 2008.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 930 B63S

This four-volume set contains sixty-nine entries, fourteen of which cover more in-depth topics,  discussing society and culture of the Ancient World through the fall of Rome, 476 C.E.  Topics include western and non-western societies and cultures.  Each entry discusses the article topic from the viewpoint of the following geographic areas:

  • Africa
  • Egypt
  • The Middle East
  • Asia and the Pacific
  • Europe
  • Greece
  • Rome
  • The Americas

Illustrations, maps and a collection of primary sources are dotted throughout.

Examples include: Adornment, Family, Money and Coinage, Natural Disasters, Textiles and Needlework

Helpful for: Humanities III, European History, Global Studies, Middle Eastern Voices, Classics, African Studies, Asian Studies

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New Reference Book: Berkshire Encyclopedia of China

April 12th, 2010

Berkshire Encyclopedia of China edited by Linsun Cheng, Berkshire, 2009.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 951 B45

Just in time for writing your Ma Prize essay, Ohrstrom Library has acquired this five-volume set with 800+ articles about historical and modern day China. Includes articles that focus on: art, philosophy, economics & development, people, social & cultural history, the natural world and international relationships.

Examples include:  Bamboo; Clothing, Traditional – Hong Kong; Dragon Boat Festival; Energy, Renewable; Ming Dynasty; and Yungang Caves

Helpful for:  Asian Studies, Global Studies, Ma Essay Prize, Humanities V

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New Reference Book: The Encyclopedia of Taoism

May 26th, 2009

Lura Sanborn – Reference Librarian

The Encyclopedia of Taoism edited by Fabrizio Pregadio, Routledge, 2008.

Find it in Ohrstrom at: REF 299.51 P91T

This 2-volume set describes the history, traditions and principles of Taoism. The encyclopedia is divided into 5 main thematic sections:

  1. Overview – including entries related to: Scriptures and Texts, Deities and Spirits, Sacred Sites
  2. The Taoist Universe – including entries related to: Doctrinal Notions, Transcendence and Immortality, Mountains and Mountain Monographs
  3. History- including entries related to: Pre-Han and Han Background, Shangqing, Contemporary Taoism
  4. Forms of Religious Practice and Experience – including entries related to: Meditation, Alchemy, Ritual
  5. Taoism and Chinese Buddhism- including entries related to: Persons, Texts

Two additional, shorter, sections are included at the end of volume two: Miscellaneous Terms Related to Religious Ideas and Practices and Associations.

Helpful for: Chinese Studies, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, Humanities

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