Libraries
 

H203: Bibles, Bodies and Religious Reform

Welcome to the Library! The resources listed below are all good places to get started with your research. If you would like further assistance, ask one of the librarians at the reference desks (on the first floors of the East and West towers of the Wells Library). You can also email or instant message a reference librarian.

 

Getting Started:

 

Encyclopedias can be helpful in introducing you to new topics or providing a brief factual overview of a particular subject.

The Encyclopedia of Religion (ed. Lindsay Jones) is online--try browsing the index under "Ritual."  

There are many more encyclopedias (along with other reference material) listed on the Eastern and Western religious traditions resources pages.  Many are located in the Reference Reading Room (first floor of the East tower), but some are up in the stacks.

 

While encyclopedias are useful for instroducing new topics, they are not usually appropriate sources for citation in academic research.  However, most encyclopedia articles include bibliographies of related scholarly books.  To see if IU has these titles, search in IUCAT.  To locate scholarly, peer-reviewed articles on the topics that interest you, use the databases listed below.

 

Finding Books:


IUCAT
You may have noticed by now that typing your query into the title or keyword search box of IUCAT sometimes retrieves bewildering results. Here are some general search tips to make your results more accurate:
  • You will get the most accurate results if you select 'Begins With (Browse),' instead of doing a basic IUCAT search. This option is located on the right hand side of the main search interface, under "More IUCAT Searches."
  • Once you find a book you want, browse the shelves around it. This can help you discover additional resources on the same topic.
  • If you find a book on the topic you are interested in, see what subject headings are listed. By clicking on them, you can see all the books classified with the same subject heading.
  • You can also browse by Subject Heading. Select 'Begins With (Browse)' from the main IUCAT page, then enter the appropriate subject heading.

 

Online Databases:

 

Databases are the best way to find scholarly articles.  Most of the articles can be accessed online or downloaded as a PDF. 

  • ATLA Religion Databases
    Citations to books, journal articles, and book reviews in all scholarly fields of religion, biblical studies, world religions, church history, religious perspectives on social issues.
    For assistance searching in ATLA, see the guide to searching the ATLA religious studies database.
  • JSTOR
    Provides searchable full-text of historical runs of important scholarly journals in the humanities, arts, sciences, ecology, and business.
  • Google Scholar
    Special version of Google's index to scholarly content on the web. Connects to full-text resources available to IU users. Requires sign-on for off-campus use.

 

Other Useful Library Links: