RST 232: Religion & Politics

Print Resources

For most countries in Africa and Latin America, the following 3 reference series are available:

A country study

EX: Brazil
Ref 2508. B846
Federal Research Division, Library of Congress online here

World bibliographical series

EX: Argentina
Ref F 2808 .Z2 B5

Historical dictionary

EX: Historical Dictionary of Sudan Second Edition
Ref DT 155.3 .V64

Encyclopedia of Religion

Ref BL .E46 1986
Good sourcebook for general overviews of major religions.

South America, Central America

Ref F 1408.29 .S69

Middle East and North Africa

Ref D 49 .M5
Contains chapters on each country of the world and the major international organizations. A brief introductory survey is supplemented by a comprehensive statistical survey. This is a good, quick source for recent statistics on a country. Also, the text of the Constitution, a government directory, the diplomatic corps, the press, and trade organizations are included.

Europa World Year Book 1999 2 vols.

Ref D 2 E8
Similar to volumes above, historical and statiscal information, but with less depth.

World Encyclopedia Of Political Systems And Parties, Third Edition 3 vols.

Ref JF 2011 .W67
Includes information of major religious movements. A little dated, but worthwhile.

Statesman's Yearbook, 1998-99.

Ref Desk JA 51 S7
An annual directory of international organizations and the countries of the world. The basic information is comparable to what is found in EUROPA, though EUROPA's statistical and directory sections are more comprehensive. This volume is kept at the Reference Desk.

Online Resources

Library Catalog

Check here for book resources found in the college libraries.

Lexis-Nexis

Connections to full-text newspaper articles and magazines, including many non-US publications

First Search

Check here for periodical sources. Most databases only cover 1980’s to present.
Try Humanities Full Text, Social Sciences Full Text and PAIS.

Yahoo - International Organizations Links

Links to most countries. Take a look at “state department” information for your assigned country. Keep in mind that some of this information may take the form of propoganda and is not always objective, or accurate. You can also do a general Yahoo! search.

U.S. State Department

Organization of American States

Latin World

African News Online

IslamiCity

Organization of African Unity

Africa 200

AltaVista Translations

Many of the sources you find will be from foreign press, in another language. With Babelfish
you can cut and paste your foreign text and translate to English. Available translations are German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portugeuse.