Asian Studies

[Tibetan Buddhist Art. Photo by Michael Mooney, via Flickr (CC license)]

Article Indexes

Journal articles are not listed in QCAT. Use an index to find magazine and journal articles. Articles are important in your research as they contain the most-up-to-date research in a given field and often focus on a particular aspect of a topic. There are different types of articles: scholarly, popular or trade.

Tip: Remember to search journal title and not article title in QCAT

Key Indexes

  You are connecting from off-campus. You will be prompted to enter your NetID and password before connecting to a Queen's-only database.
Full-text access to scholarly literature, statistics, and analysis of the Asia-Pacific region.
Provides access to reports, working paper series, and peer reviewed journals and e-journals published by prestigious Asia-Pacific research institutions around the world. The contents focus on social sciences and humanities issues related to Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Bibliography of Asian Studies
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1971 - present
Indexes journal articles and book chapters on all subjects pertaining to East, Southeast and South Asia. Emphasis is on topics related to humanities and the social sciences and content indexed is primarily Western-language publications.
Asian Business & Reference
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1971-
Information on world commerce in the Eastern Hemisphere (e.g. companies, economies, markets, international trade, overall business conditions).
China Academic Journals Full-Text Database (Series G and H)
Publication coverage: 1994 - present
Full-text collections of Chinese-language academic journals from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure addressing the following topics:

Other Useful Indexes

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Academic Search Complete
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1865 - present
Contains Asian-area publications such as Asia Pacific Biotech News, Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, Asian Affairs, Asian Studies Review, China Today, Chinese America: History Perspectives, Chinese Education Society, and Chinese Science Bulletin.
PAIS
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1915 - present
Includes mini-abstracts to journal articles, books, statistical yearbooks, and more... from around the world. Coverage includes: international company information; and scholarly literature on the public and social policy of business, economics, finance, law, international relations, public administration, government, and contemporary public issues.
Historical Abstracts  Access limit
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1954 - present
Access restricted to the Queen's community (6 user limit)
Comprehensive index to scholarly literature on world history from 1450 to present (excluding the U.S. and Canada).

Books

To find books on a topic search the Queen's Catalogue (QCAT) by author, title, subject headings, or keyword. For QCAT search tips click here.

To find books on a topic, use a keyword boolean search if you do not know the correct subject heading. Think of the focus (or key) words that describe your topic.

Japan and women
China and "foreign trade"

Subjects are a set list of terms used to describe what a book is about. Once you find a book relevant to your topic, use the subjects listed in QCAT to find other books on the same topic by clicking the subject link or searching by subject heading.

Some useful Asian Studies subject headings are:

Asia--Economic conditions
Cambodia--History
China--Politics and government
Confucius
Genghis Khan, 1162-1227
Mao, Zedong, 1893-1976
Nanking Massacre, Nanjing, Jiangsu Sheng, China, 1937
Political culture--Asia
Social change--Asia
Japan--Foreign relations--United States (for example; choose country of interest)
Japan--Social life and customs
Korea (North)
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
World War, 1939-1945

(Note that people can be subjects too)

Subject Heading searches need to be precise. Word order is important - searching Russia--History works but History--Russia does not.

Queen's does not own every book, so try searching other catalogues. You can request these books through Interlibrary Loan . Keep in mind that this service can take up to two weeks or more, so give yourself plenty of time.

Language Dictionaries

ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary : Alphabetically Based Computerized
REF PL1455 .A33 2003 (At Stauffer Reference Desk)

Basic Japanese-English Dictionary = < Kiso Nihongo Gakushu Jiten >
REF PL679 .B37 2004

Cantonese Dictionary; Cantonese-English, English-Cantonese
PL1736 .H8

Langenscheidt's Pocket Vietnamese Dictionary : Vietnamese-English, English-Vietnamese
REF PL4376 .L36 2002

Minjung's Pocket English-Korean & Korean-English Dictionary
REF PL937.E5 M55 2001t

The Oxford Chinese Dictionary: English-Chinese - Chinese English (2010)

Oxford-Duden Pictorial Thai & English Dictionary
REF PL4188 .O93 1994t

The Pinyin Chinese-English Dictionary
REF PL1455 .P56 1979t

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Consult dictionaries and encyclopedias to help you understand the concepts and terminology used in Asian studies.

For additional sources, search QCAT by Keyword Boolean, for example:

china and (dictionaries or encyclopedia?)

The Asian Political Dictionary
REF DS31 .Z57 1985

Entries are alphabetical within specific subject areas. Includes a general index as well as by country.

The Cambridge History of China (via Cambridge Histories Online)
DS735 .C3145

A comprehensive history covering Chinese history from the 3rd century BC to the death of Mao Tse-tung. Online, browse by region.

The Cambridge History of Japan (via Cambridge Histories Online)
DS835 .C36 1988

Covers Ancient Japan to the twentieth century. Online, browse by region.

The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia (1992, via Cambridge Histories Online)
REF DS525 .C36 1999

Covers Southeast Asia from early times into the twentieth century. Includes a bibliographic essay at the end of each chapter. Online, browse by region.

China Today : an Encyclopedia of Life in the People's Republic
DS777.6 .C458 2005 (Education Library Ref.)

Provides entries on topics covering politics, the economy and culture of both the People's Republic of China and Taiwan since 1949. Includes cross-references, a chronology and illustrations.

Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Japan
REF JQ1605 .S86 2003

Provides a summary of the political system and its evolution as well as various political theories.

Dictionary of the Modern Politics of South-East Asia (2004)
REF DS520.7 .L44 1995t

Provides entries for each country, followed by entries for people, events, organisations, and treaties, arranged alphabetically. It also provides cross-references.

Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre
REF PN2860 .E53 2007

A comprehensive guide to both traditional and contemporary theatre throughout Asia. Signed entries are alphabetical and include suggestions for further reading.

Encyclopedia of Contemporary Chinese Culture
REF DS779.23 E52 2005

Over 1100 entries on cultural events, ideas and artefacts in China since the 1980s. Organized alphabetically under broad topic headings with suggestions for further reading.

Encyclopedia of Modern Asia
REF DS4 .E53 2002

Provides detailed entries arranged alphabetically. Entries include black and white photographs and maps, and sidebars provide interesting and relevant information: for example regional recipes are available under the entry for "cuisine"

Encyclopedia of Modern China

The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas
REF DS732 .E53 1999

An overview of Chinese emigration and communities around the globe. Includes maps and colour photographs.

Historical Dictionary of Guangzhou (Canton) and Guangdong
REF DS796 .C2 J64 1999

Alphabetically lists the people, places, events and cultural activities of the modern history of Guangzhou and Guangdong.

Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre
REF PN2921 .L45 2006

Addresses the four genres of traditional Japanese theatre from many perspectives, including actors, theatres, companies, history, makeup, costumes, masks, biographies, theories, training, music, religion, and criticism. Includes a chronology and glossary.

Information China : the Comprehensive and Authoritative Reference Source of New China
REF DS706 .I5 1989

Provides the official Chinese perspective on China's history, politics and society. Includes an appendix of statistical data and is indexed by subject, name and place.

Japan Encyclopedia
REF DS821 .F73 2002

A concise encyclopedia covering Japan from its origins through modern times. Includes maps, illustrations, and a detailed chronology.

MIT Encyclopedia of the Japanese Economy
REF HC462.9 .H73 1999

Covers major aspects of Japan's post-war economy including: banks; financial systems; major industries; corporate groups, management practices; labour unions; international trade and investments; and government economic policies.

Modern China : an Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Nationalism
REF JC311 .M54 1998

Discusses important political, social, cultural and economic issues since 1850. Entries are signed and include references for further reading.

Southeast Asia : a Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor
DS524 .S68 2004 (Education Library Ref.)

Provides an overview of Southeast Asia from prehistoric times to the present. Arranged alphabetically with cross-references, and suggestions for further reading.

Biographies

Consult biographical dictionaries to get brief information about people, dates and events. For more sources, see Biographical Resources.

Biographical Dictionary and Analysis of China's Party Leadership, 1922-1988
REF DS778 .A1 B27 1990t

Lists information on the education, military career and party career of China's leaders. Provides small photos of most individuals listed.

Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: the Qing Period, 1644-1911
REF HQ1767.5 .A3 B56 1998

Over 200 entries on women from a variety of backgrounds. Arranged alphabetically with a list of entries by "background or field of endeavour."

Dictionary of Ming Biography, 1368-1644
DS753.5 .A84 1976

Based on documents from the Ming Period, the dictionary provides entries on figures who were important during that time. Each entry has its own bibliography and it has indexes for names, books and subjects.

Eminent Chinese of the Ch´ing Period (1644-1912)
DS734 .U65 1991 (1970 edition in REF)

Lists over 800 signed entries. Organized alphabetically it also includes a list of names in chronological order and indexes for names, books and subjects.

Bibliographies

Consult bibliographies to find a comprehensive list of sources on a specific topic or a selective list of key works on a topic.

Chinese History : a Manual
REF DS735 .W695 2000

Provides basic information and how to locate sources. Provides an extensive bibliography arranged by resource type, by topic and by period (from pre-Qin to the Republic).

The Cultural Revolution in China : an Annotated Bibliography
Z3108 .A5 W35

365 citations to English language sources published up to 1975. Annotated and topically arranged.

Korean and Japanese Women: an Analytic Bibliographical Guide
Z7964 .K6 K63 1982

A selective bibliography and index of materials on Korean and Japanese women, their history, social and cultural patterns, sex roles, family and kinship patterns, and other characteristics.

Women in China : a Selected and Annotated Bibliography
REF Z7964 .C5 W44 1984

Contains more than 1,100 annotated entries, arranged by broad subjects. Provides cross-references at the end of each subject chapter. Bibliography of books, articles, letters and manuscript sources through about 1981.

Women in China : Bibliography of Available English Language Materials
REF Z7964 .C5 C47 1984

Entries arranged under topics such as education; marriage and family; psychology and religion; and sports and fashion. Includes an index of authors and an index of Chinese women. Part of a series of bibliographies and indexes in women's studies.

World Bibliographical Series

A series of comprehensive, annotated bibliographies where each nation has its own volume. Generally organized by broad topics such as society, fine arts, education or language, and subdivided within each larger topic. Indexed by author, title and subject.

Cambodia
Z3232 .J37 1997t

China
Z3106 .C465 1997

Hong Kong
Z3107 .H7 S36 1990u

Indonesia
Z3271 .K73 1994t

Japan
Z3301 .S475 1989t

Korea
Z3316 .H63 1997

Laos
Z3233 .C67 1991t

Macau
Z3107 .M24 E35 1989u

Malaysia
Z3246 .B76 1999

Mongolia
Z3121 .N67 1993t

Philippines
Z3296 .R53 1989u

Singapore
Z3285 .Q33 1988u

Sri Lanka
Z3211 .S26 1987

Taiwan
Z3116 .L43 1990t

Thailand
Z3236 .S69 1998t

Tibet
Z3107 .T5 P56 1991t

Vietnam
Z3226 .M37 1992t

Handbooks & Guides

The Columbia Guide to Modern Chinese History
DS755 .S635 2000

Addresses Chinese history since 1770, includes descriptive articles, annotated citations, a chronology, and excerpts from primary source documents.

The Columbia Guide to Modern Japanese History
DS881.9 A75 1999

Provides a brief historical narrative since 1850, followed by entries arranged by topic. Includes an annotated bibliography.

Handbook of Korea
DS902 .H2864 2003 (10th ed. In REF)

From the Korean Overseas Information Service, this book covers topics that include history, the economy, religion and customs, and inter-Korean relations. Includes maps.

The New Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China
REF DS706 .M24 2001

Focusing on the 1990s, it includes topics such as population, the economy, foreign relations, politics and biographies of important figures. Includes an annotated bibliography of sources published since 1990.

Research in Japanese Sources : a Guide
Z3301 .W43 1994t

A guide to information on Japan as well as how to find and use Japanese language sources.

Atlases

Cultural Atlas of China
DS721 .B56 1983 (Stauffer Library - Maps & Air Photos (Books))

An Historical Atlas of China
REF G2306 .S1 H4 1966 (Stauffer Library - Maps & Air Photos (Books))

Historical Atlas of South-East Asia
G2361 .S1 H5 1995 (Stauffer Library - Maps & Air Photos (Atlases))

Provides maps of the region and of individual countries, arranged in chronological order, as well as an introduction giving a brief background to the maps. Includes an extensive bibliography and an index of personal names.

Primary Sources & E-Texts

Primary Sources Subject Guide

E-Book Collections

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Asian American Drama
(more info)
Publication coverage: late 19th century - contemporary (ongoing)
The works address significant events for the Asian American community, including the construction of the railroads in the nineteenth century, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the Vietnam conflict; as well as issues related to assimilation, integration, and cultural identity in a Western context.

Provides access to data from yearly China macro-economic statistics (1949-), monthly macro-economic statistics, monthly economic reports, city statistics (1996-), county statistics (1997-), industrial statistics, and most statistical yearbooks.

China: Trade, Politics and Culture 1793-1980
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1793 - 1980
Online collection of digitized facsimile copies of unique manuscript materials. Includes interactive maps and rare, printed materials such as missionary periodicals, atlases and books.
Empire Online
(more info)
Publication coverage: 1492-2007
Original manuscripts and documents related to colonial history, politics, culture and society. It covers Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Oceania and South Asia.
Medieval Travel Writing
(more info)
Publication coverage: 13th - 16th centuries
A digital collection of manuscripts of European travel writing from the later medieval period, focuses on journeys to central Asia and the Far East, including accounts of travel to Mongolia, Persia, India, China and South-East Asia

Websites

Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library
A large-scale, distributed, collaborative project providing an up-to-date, subject-oriented guide to networked scholarly documents, resources and information systems concerned with social sciences research on Asia. Maintained by the Australian National University.
Chinese Text Initiative
Texts of Chinese literature from University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.
Digital South Asia Library
The Digital South Asia Library provides digital materials for reference and research on South Asia to scholars, public officials, business leaders, and other users.
H-Asia
H-enables historians and other Asia scholars to easily communicate current research and teaching interests; to discuss new articles, books, papers, approaches, methods and tools of analysis; to test new ideas and share comments and tips on teaching. H-Asia is especially committed to discussing region wide, comparative and professional issues important to scholars of Asia.
Internet East Asian History Sourcebook
The Internet East Asian History Sourcebook provides links to documents on culture, religion, history, art, and literature in East Asia. Maintained through Fordham University.
Japan Center for Asian Historical Records
JACAR contains records on Japan's relations in Asia as well as elsewhere. This site provides access to official documents-dating from the Meiji era through 1945-of the Japanese Cabinet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Army and Navy.
Japanese Text Initiative
A collaboration between the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center and the University of Pittsburgh East Asian Library to make texts of classical Japanese literature available on the web.
National Archives of Japan
In both Japanese and English, the National Archives of Japan makes available documents and records from a variety of government ministries and agencies. Records date as far back as the Meiji era.
Portal to Asian Internet Resources
PAIR offers scholars, students and the interested public more than six thousand selected, catalogued and annotated online resources within 25 different subtopic areas. Based at the libraries of University of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota and Ohio State University.

Theses

[Gabrielle Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil on the Nature of Fire; Pen and Paper; Albert Einstein's Dissertation]

Queen's

To find theses and dissertations produced at Queen's, search the following:

Canada

Repositories

Search for full text of open access dissertations and theses by searching the following sites:

United States

International

TIP: The Library sometimes can have a copy of a dissertation from another university--either purchased by the Library, or purchased by an individual student or faculty member and later donated to the library collection so always check QCAT.