Research Resources: Class Guides

RST 171: Science Fiction and the Human Condition

REFERENCE RESOURCES

Encyclopedia of Religion

Now in its second edition (2006), the most comprehensive reference source treating the full spectrum of religious studies. Articles are cross-referenced. Contains a synoptic outline and a detailed index.

International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences

This encyclopedia is the largest reference work ever published for the social and behavioral sciences. Every article in the electronic edition will be supported by an abstract prepared specifically for the online publication. These abstracts will be posted to the website as they become available. Updated annually.

Literary Index

An online index to various reference sources published by the Thomson-Gale Publishing Group, it combines and cross-references over 159,000 author names, including pseudonyms and variant names, as well as listings for over 210,000 titles. The Library owns many of the reources covered.

Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction

An historical dictionary devoted exclusively to science fiction, this online resource shows the development of science-fiction words and oncepts over time. The dictionary also traces the transfer of science-fiction vocabulary to different subcultures, such as neo-paganism and environmentalism.

Religion and American Cultures

Ref Room BL2525 .R448 2003
Useful for gaining an overview of its title's subject, this two volume encyclopedia has over 200 article length entries divided into two groups. Volume One covers specific religions while Volume Two deals with topics and trends in comparative religious perspective. There is a third volume comprised of bibliographies and indices.

Dictionary of Literary Biography

Ref Room PN 451 .D5
This multi-volume reference set is still in publication and systematically presents career biographies and criticism from all eras and genres. Contains bibliographies and each volume has cumulative indices.

Contemporary Literary Criticism

Ref Room PN 771 .C59
Each volume in this series profiles 6 to 8 novelists, poets, playwrights and other creative and nonfiction writers by providing full-text or excerpted criticism taken from books, magazines, literary reviews, newspapers and scholarly journals. Contains bibliographies. Each volume contains cumulative indices.

Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

Ref Room PN 3433.4 .E53 1993
Containing well over 4,000 entries that cover major and minor authors as well as themes, terminology, films, television programs, magazines, and comics, this now somewhat dated single volume encyclopedia expands upon the first edition published in 1979. Contain cross references but no index.

Anatomy of Wonder

Ref Room PN 3433.8 .E52 1993
This compendium succinctly describes over 1,400 novels and short stories deemed significant to the genre. Each individual entry provides the plot, historical significance and theme.

Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Ref Room PS 374 .S35G74 2005
This encyclopedia consists of two parts. The first part (in two volumes) takes the most popular themes found in both science fiction and fantasy literature, and puts them into historical and cultural context. The second part contains entries for a selected list of classic novels, films, and television series. In many entries an individual theme is traced over time in a variety of different science fiction and fantasy formats as well as other material considered outside the mainstream of science fiction and fantasy.

Science Fact and Science Fiction

Science Ref Q 123 .S735 2006
This volume focuses on the connections between science and literature. It emphasizes an author's scientific contributions in juxtaposition to literary ones. Themes, concepts, and genres are included.

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