ART 2030 - Prehistoric to Medieval Art
This guide lists important sources to consult for your research and is not intended to be exhaustive. For more information and assistance please contact Kelly McBride, visit the Reference Desk, or sign up for a RAP Session.
- Background Information
- Library Catalog
- Databases/Article Indexes
- Books on Subjects & Symbols in Art
- Evaluating Information
- Citing Your Sources
- Where to Go for Help
Background Information
Dictionary of Art - ASU Reference N31 .D5 1996 34 vols. Index in vol. 34 [available electronically as Grove Dictionary of Art]
Encyclopedia of World Art - ASU Reference N31 .E533 16 vols.
Bulfinch Guide to Art History - ASU Reference N380 .B85
Larousse Encyclopedia of Byzantine and Medieval Art - ASU Reference N5970 .h813
Larousse Encyclopedia of Prehistoric and Ancient Art - ASU Reference N5300 .H953
Library Catalog
Use the WNCLN online catalog to find books, journals, and other materials available at ASU, UNCA, and WCU.
- Try a keyword search first. Your strategy will be either to use a specific word or phrase; or to construct a more extensive search using Boolean operators.
This is a very broad search. You will need to look through the entries listed paying attention to the titles. When you find a resource that looks useful - click on it and look at the subject heading listed.
Do a subject search using the Library of Congress Subject Headings, either from highly relevan books that your keyword search turned up, or from fairly broad heading that you find browsing the catalog by subject.
Pay close attention to the subjec headings. They will help you in building additional search terms.
The following Library of Congress Subject Headings may be helpful in finding information: Enter each item as a Subject Heading search
symbolism in art
art and mythology
christian art and symbolism
islamic art
art african
art prehistoric
art greek
art mexican
art egyptian
art medieval
Periodical Title search
Example: Art Bulletin
Use periodical title searching as a means of finding out what subscriptions (magazines, journal, and newspapers) are available through the online catalog. Items may be available in print, web, or full text access.
Databases/Article Indexes
The following databases are available from the Library Homepage. To find additional resources on Art you may also consult the Library's Research Guide to Art.
Britannica Online - Provides access to more than 73,000 articles, thousands of photographs, illustrations, sound files, reviewed websites, and hundreds of video files.
Art Full Text - Indexes over 400 English and foreign-language periodicals, coversing archaeology, architecture, art history, crafts, decorative arts, graphic arts, industrial and interior design, landscape architecture, museology, film, video, painting, photography, sculpture, textiles.
Grove Art Online - [corresponds to the print version of Dictionary of Art listed above]
Covers all forms of visual arts: painting, sculpture, architecture, graphic and decorative arts, and photography, from prehistory to the 1990s.
JSTOR - coverage includes History, Art & Art History, Asian Studies Literature, and more.
*Note* select Advanced Search then select the journals in the subject you think would best represent your topic.
Example: History | Art & Art History.
Academic Search Premier- This is a good starting point for finding article in most subjects, but it is not as comprehensive at Art Full Text for art history topics. It indexes popular magazines as well as scholarly journals.
Books on Subjects & Symbols in Art
Use the following books for background information
Dictionary of Classical Mythology, Symbols, Attributes & Associations
ASU Reference BL715 .B44
Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols
ASU Reference BM50 .F74
Islamic Art and Architecture
ASU Main Stacks NA280 .H53
Oxford Dictionary of Saints
ASU Reference BR1710 .F34
Dictionary of Sujects and Symbols in Art
ASU Reference N7560 .H34
Gods and Heroes of Classical Antiquity
ASU Main Stacks N7793 .W65 A66
Encyclopedia of Women in Religious Art
ASU Main Stacks N7793 .W65 A66
Signs & Symbols in Christian Art
ASU Main Stacks N7830 .F37
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Evaluating Information
The following checklist can be used to evaluate all information sources but can be particlarly useful for evaluating Internet sources.
- Identify the Source - Who is providing the information?
- Discover the Source's Expertise - Is the source an expert or authority?
- Determine the Level of Objectivity - Does the source provide a balanced viewpoint?
- Establish the Date of Publication - Is the information current?
- Verify What the Information Claims - Can you find other reliable sources that provide the same information?
Citing Your Sources
As you conduct your research it will be important to cite any materials you use in proper bibliographic format. The library has print copies of the most widely used style manuals. Please ask for them at the Reference/Information desk.
In addition, you may also consult the online How To Cite Sources guide for additional help.
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Where to Go for Help
Library Homepage
http://www.library.appstate.edu
The Reference Desk/Information Desk
Phone us at 262-2820 or come by in person.
Ask-A-Librarian
http://www.library.appstate.edu/reference/askref.html
Chat with an Appalachian librarian.
Research Advisory Program (RAP Sessions)
http://www.library.appstate.edu/reference/rapsessions.html
Make an appointment with a librarian for in-depth research assistance.
University Writing Center
http://www.writingcenter.appstate.edu/
Offers free services to students, faculty, and staff of Appalachian State University at any stage of the writing process, from inventing topics to editing at the sentence level.
Content editor: Kelly R. McBride, mcbridekr@appstate.edu, Reference & Instruction Librarian
Last content update 08/06/07