CSUF History Research Guide

This site provides resources for the history of countries in  sub-Saharan Africa.  For countries that also fall under the title "Middle East", an additional history resources site is being developed. 

Besides the general history of the areas and specific countries, certain disciplines are rich in resources in African history: political science, anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, religion, music, art and literature. 

 


Prepared by Rosemary McGill, Judy Ruttenberg, Robert Sage, and Susan Tschabrun. Maintained by Robert Sage.
An administrative page of the Paulina June & George Pollak Library at California State University, Fullerton.
(c) 2007 California State University, Fullerton. All rights reserved.
Last Updated: October 10, 2007
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The General Library of Congress call number range for African history is DT which is further subdivided by region and country:

1-3415             History of Africa
43-154             Egypt
154.1-159.9     Sudan
160-177              North Africa 
179.2-179.9      Northwest Africa 
181-346              Maghrib (country subdivisions)
348-363.3          Central Sub-Saharan Africa (country subdivisions)
365-469              Eastern Africa (country subdivisions)
470-671              West Africa (country subdivisions)
1001-1190          Southern Africa
1251-1465          Angola
1501-1685         Namibia
1701-2825          South Africa & territories
2831-2864       British Central Africa
2871-3025          Zimbabwe
3031-3145        Zambia
3161-3257          Malawi
3291-3415         Mozambique

CATALOG SUBJECT TERMS FOR AFRICAN HISTORY

Africa or [country, e.g. Ghana] or [region, e.g. Africa, sub-saharan]
-- History
-- Economic Conditions
-- Foreign Relations
-- Politics and Government
-- Social Conditions
-- Colonial influence
-- Civilization
-- Antiquities
-- Sources  [for primary resources]

For colonial history try [country]  -- colonies (e.g. France -- colonies)

General -- examples

HOW TO FIND BOOKS CSUF DOESN'T OWN


The following books are good sources to consult at the beginning of a research project. They help define your topic, provide chronology and context, identify key people and events, and locate both primary and secondary source material for your research. There are many books in the reference collection related to African history, by region, subject or specific country. 

Search or browse Reference shelves, section: DT

The following is a sample of the Library of Congress call numbers for African History:

History of Africa DT1-3415
  • Kenya
DT433.5-434
  • Ghana
DT509.97-512.9
  • Nigeria
DT515-515.9
  • Congo
DT546.2-546.29
  • Angola
DT1251-1465
  • South Africa
DT1701-2405
  • Mozambique
DT3291-3415

Encyclopedias -- Examples:

Also check the main collection since many encyclopedias can be found there.

Encyclopedias about Africa in the Pollak Library

Dictionaries -- Examples

Bibliographies -- Examples

Bibliographies can cover various types of materials (books, articles, pamphlets, etc.) and can be a serial publication such as an index or a single volume. Most bibliographies (other than indexes) are in the main collection and can be checked out. 

General

Africa

Atlases -- Examples


 

Use the Journals Title List to check to see if we have a particular periodical available online or on the shelf.  Use the Library Catalog to check and see if we have a particular, older periodical available in microforms or in special collections.


If you are looking for articles on a particular topic in American history, choose the Indexes link on this page to learn about locating articles in paper and electronic format.

 

 

 

Government Documents

Irish University Press Series of British Parliamentary Papers. Colonies: Africa
Call Number: Oversize JQ1881 .A2 I73 5th floor south
70 volumes of the 1000 series of official British Papers.  Types of papers include:

Irish University Press Series of British Parliamentary Papers. The Slave Trade
Call Number: Oversize HT1161 .I73 5th floor south
95 volumes on British government interest in the slave trade - data, first hand accounts, abolition of the trade from 1801-1899.

Indexes to BPP:

Irish University Press series of British parliamentary papers. [General] index
Call Number: Oversize Z2019 .I74 4th floor south

8 volumes indexing the entire 1000 volume series.
Checklist of British Parliamentary Papers in the Irish University Press 1000-volume series, 1801-1899
Call Number: Ref. Z2019 .I73
Three lists in this index to the BPP: chronological, alphabetical and keyword.
Select List of British Parliamentary Papers, 1833-1899 Call Number: Ref J301 .M3 1953
Volume Country/Region Dates Covered
1-7 African colonies -- sessions 1801-1870
8 General 1802-1899
9-18 Southern Africa 1851-1896
19-27 Cape of Good Hope 1816-1899
28-35 Natal 1847-1899
36-43 Transvaal (Orange Free State & Jameson Raid) 1851-1899
44-45 Botswana 1883-1899
46-47 Lesotho 1868-1887
48 Swaziland 1887-1899
49 Rhodesia 1892-1899
50-51 West Africa -- general 1812-1899
52-55 Sierra Leone 1806-1899
56 Gambia 1845-1887
57-62 Ghana 1850-1862
63-64 Nigeria 1840-1899
65 West Central Africa 1833-1899
66-67 East Africa -- general 1859-1899
68 Zanziba 1841-1898
69 Kenya/Malawi 1890-1899
70 Uganda 1892-1899

 

Not sure if the web information is acceptable? Go to Evaluation of web pages

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