This webpage provides resources to help you find more information on the themes and topics of the course.
Most of the databases on this page are restricted to UW students, staff and faculty. These are marked with a lock
. To connect to these databases from home you will need to first click on the Off-Campus Access button in the upper-right hand corner and login with your UWnetid.
Have questions or need research help? Please contact Theresa Mudrock, the history librarian, via email at mudrock@u.washington.edu
Start Here to Find Background Information
Encyclopedias and other reference sources can provide background information and can be used to identify key people, events and dates which can then be used as search terms for finding additional information. More importantly, because encyclopedias often cover the major issues surrounding the subject, they can help you narrow your research from a broad "who, what, where, when" topic to a "how or why" question. Many also provide a jumpstart on your research by listing related readings.
Two searchable collections of encyclopedias are
- Encyclopedia of African history - Suzzallo Reference DT20 .E53 2005
- Historical dictionary of South Africa - Suzzallo Reference DT1772 .S38 2000
- Standard encyclopaedia of Southern Africa - Suzzallo Reference DT729 .S7 (published in the 1970s)
Start Here to Find Books
Non-fiction books can provide both an overview and indepth analysis of a topic, event or person. Many books will include footnotes and bibliography that can lead you to other research/writings on the topic.
Book reviews can be useful when evaluating a book or to get a quick synopsis. Use the databases listed under "Finding Academic/Scholarly Articles" to find book reviews.
See Research Steps for an explanation and example of finding information on a topic.
- UW Libraries Catalog - holdings of the UW Libraries. Best used for known-item searching especially journal titles and ebooks and when you want to find just what is available on campus or in a specific branch of the UW Libraries.
To find older books (primary sources) in the collection use the following strategies:
- Limit your search by publication date.
- Search for books written by key people or organizations.
- Use special subject terms that designate primary sources: personal narratives, diaries, correspondence, interviews, sources
- WorldCat Local - Expanded version of the catalog that simultaneously searches the UW Libraries and 1000s of other libraries, also includes some citations to articles. Best used for topical searches and for requesting books from other libraries.
Start Here to Find Academic/Scholarly Articles
Academic articles, those published in scholarly journals, are the bedrock of most academic disciplines. In the field of historical research, they are considered secondary sources. They provide an indepth analysis of narrow topics. Prior to publishing, articles are vetted through a process called peer-review.
Most academic articles and books include footnotes or a bibliography which can lead you to primary sources (and additional secondary sources) on a topic. See example.
- Africabib - index to articles dealing with all aspects of Africa studies, bit clunky
- African Studies Centre Catalogue - catalog of the Leiden based center includes both listings of books and articles
Start Here to Find Non-African Newspapers & Magazines
Newspapers are a primary source providing a first rough draft of events. Since most newspapers are local in scope, there is good coverage of local issues but major national papers will also include coverage of international events and topics.
Magazines are similar in content but tend to be national in scope.
The Microform and Newspaper Collections on the ground floor of Suzzallo library has microfilmed backfiles of many newspapers.
Help: Analyzing Newspapers & Newspapers
Start Here to Find African Newspapers & Magazines
The UW Libraries has a limited number of African newspapers and magazines. There is no indexing available so you have to browse thru issues to find material. If you are researching an event, use the event's date to determine a time range for browsing.
Additional African newspapers can be requested via interlibrary loan - to identify these newspapers, search the Center for Research Libraries catalog.
- Bantu World (South Africa), 1932-1946
Microform & Newspapers - A10335- Bona, 1964-1994 (successor to Zonk, incomplete)
Microform & Newspapers - A10558- Cape Times, 1944-1980
Microform & Newspapers - A4120- Contact (Cape Town), 1958-1965
Microform & Newspapers - A7372- Drum (South Africa), 1951-1965
Microform & Newspapers - A9742- The Forum (Johannesburg), 1944-1951, 1952-1962
Baker Auxilliary Stacks - 051 FOM (request from storage via the catalog)- Zonk, 1951-1964 (incomplete)
Microform & Newspapers - A10557Start Here to Find US and UK Government Reports
The UW Libraries has an extensive collection of federal, state and local government documents. These documents are usually primary sources and can include census material, annual reports from governmental agencies and congressional hearings.
Most government material is housed in the Government Publications section on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. Librarians there can help you find material you need.
Start Here to Find Websites
The Web is a growing source for primary sources dealing with history. The sites listed here have substantial collections of primary sources.
See Africa South of the Sahara for additional websites.
- African National Congress - historical documents
- African Posters - African posters from the collection of Northwestern University
- Committees of the TRC - transcripts from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings organized by committee. Also see Traces of Truth. The final report is available in print in Gov't Publications (JQ1981 .S68 1998) and Odegaard (DT1945 .S56 1999)
- DISA - digitized collection "focusing on the socio-political history of South Africa, particularly the struggle for freedom during the period from 1950 to the first democratic elections in 1994." Includes anti-apartheid journals, oral histories, trial transcripts and more.
History on the Web | Chicago Styleguide | Research 101 tutorial
