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Sociology

This guide lists American University Library databases, print sources, and free Web sites of use to Sociology research.

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Major Encyclopedias, Dictionaries and Handbooks

Encyclopedias are an excellent source for providing an overview of a topic or field of study, factual information, and definitions of critical concepts. It is often a good starting point for research.

Other Sociology Encyclopedias

  • A Dictionary of Critical Theory (Oxford Reference Online: Premium)
    Oxford University Press, 2010. AU Library has online and print editions.
  • A Dictionary of Sociology (1968) (Oxford Reference Online: Premium)
    3rd revised ed., Oxford University Press, 2009. AU Library has online edition. [Link will be coming.]
  • Encyclopedia of Social Theory (Gale Virtual Reference Library)
    2 vols. SAGE, 2005. AU Library has online edition.
  • Encyclopedia of Sociology (Gale Virtual Reference Library)
    2nd ed., 5 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 2001. AU Library has online edition.
  • New Dictionary of the History of Ideas (Gale Virtual Reference Library)
    6 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, 2005. AU Library has online edition.