Search

Africana Studies

This is a selective guide to Africana Studies. It is designed for use by undergraduate and beginning graduate students. Unless otherwise noted, all materials will be found in the Social Sciences and Humanities Reference Center on the main floor.

Librarian for Africana Studies

Timothy Johnson
Librarian for Africana Studies, Anthropology and Food Studies
New York University
Bobst Library, Mezzanine
70 Washington Square So.
New York, NY 10012
Phone: (212) 998-2436
E-mail: timothy.johnson@nyu.edu

NYU Links

Related Subject Guides

Africana Research Guides

  • McIlwaine, John. Africa: A Guide to Reference Material. London: H. Zell, 1992.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.M3 1992
    Guide to major reference sources on Africa south of the Sahara, other than bibliographies. Material is arranged under a section on Africa in general, followed by broad regional sections and thereunder by individual countries. Under each geographical unit the reference sources are categorized as: handbooks, yearbooks, statistics, directories of organizations, biographical sources, as well as gazeteers.
  • Zell, Hans M. The African Studies Companion: A Guide to Information Sources. London: H. Zell, 2006.
    Bobst Ref1 DT.19.8.A47 2006
    Indexes major general reference sources sub-arranged by type of resource, a bibliography of journals and magazines, which is arranged geographically, as well as major libraries and documentation centers, also arranged geographically. Coverage is worldwide.

Related Research and Subject Guides

Research Assistance

  • Finding Books In Bobcat

    BobCat can be searched for books and other materials in African Studies with a subject search (s=). Subject headings often follow the pattern:

    s= Place name--Subdivision--[Time period].

    Place names can be names of countries, regions, or cities. Please be aware of the fact that many sub-Saharan African place names have changed over time.

    Examples:

    • s= Africa, Sub-Saharan--Economic conditions--1960-
    • s= Ghana--Social conditions

    Examples for other subdivisions: history, social conditions, economic conditions, politics and government, social life and customs. Subject headings may also have the following structure:

    s= Subject--Place Name--[Time period].

    Examples:

    • s= Women--Nigeria--History--20th century
    • s= Ethnology--Zaire

    For more information please consult the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Copies of LCSH are available in all reference centers and the catalog area in the atrium.

  • Tutorials and Assistance

    • Primary Sources in History Podcast [iTunes MPEG-4]
    NYU Libraries Tutorial: How to Find a Book
    NYU Libraries Tutorial: How to Find an Article
    Locating Videos in Bobst Library
    NYU Libraries Tutorial: Citing Sources

    Contact a Subject Specialist

Internet Links


Bibliographies

  • Africa Bibliography. Manchester, England: Manchester University Press, c.1985-.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.B54
    Covers mainly books and periodical articles of Africa-related interest in the social sciences and in art. Arranged by regions and countries, preceded by a section for the continent as a whole. The continent and country sections are divided into eleven topical categories.
  • Scheven, Yvette. Bibliographies for African Studies, 1970-1986. London: H. Zell, 1988.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.A1S34 1988
    Topical and geographical arrangement of Africa-related bibliographies of English and Afrikaans sources.
  • Scheven, Yvette. Bibliographies for African Studies, 1987-1993, ed. by Yvette Scheven; compiled by Phyllis Bischof et al. London: H. Zell, 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.A1S345 1994

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

  • Dictionnaire du cinéma africain. Paris: Karthala; Ministère de la coopération et du developpement, c1991-.
    Bobst Ref1 PN1993.5.A35D53 1991
    Entries are arranged by country (sub-Saharan Africa and Carribean) and include addresses of national professional organizations, film directors, filmographies, and distribution in the North.

  • Olson, James Stuart. The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary. Westport, CT: Greenwood Pr., 1996.
    Bobst Ref1 GN645.O47 1996

  • Stewart, John. African States and Rulers: An Encyclopedia of Native, Colonial and Independent States and Rulers Past and Present. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1989.
    Bobst Ref1 DT17.S74 1989

Handbooks

  • Handbook of Political Science Research on Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends from the 1960s to the 1990s, ed. by Mark W. DeLancey. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1992.
    Bobst Ref6 IntlRef JA84.A337H36 1992
    General, regional, and country surveys. The latter are on South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria. Includes name and subject indexes.

  • Hodd, Michael. The Economies of Africa: Geography, Population, History, Stability, Structure, Performance, Forecasts. Boston, MA: G.K. Hall, c.1991.
    Bobst Ref6 IntlRef HC800.H633 1991
    Introductory chapters on Africa and the world and on African economies. The main part consists of country surveys.

  • Morrison, Donald George, Robert Cameron Mitchell, and John Naber Paden. Black Africa: A Comparative Handbook. 2nd ed. New York: Paragon House; Irvington, c.1989.
    Bobst DT352.8.M67 1989
    Divided into: 1. comparative profiles and 2. country profiles. Demographic, economic, social, political, etc. information.

Indexes

  • Asamani, J.O. Index Africanus. Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution Press, [1975].
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.A73
    Catalog of Africa-related articles written in Western European languages and published from 1885 to 1965 in periodicals, Festschriften, and conference proceedings. The section on Africa in general is categorized by topics; the regional and country sections are not subarranged.

  • International African Bibliography = Bibliographie internationale africaine. London: Mansell, v.1, n.1(Jan. 1971)-.
    Bobst Ref1 Index Z3501.I52n
    The two main sections are 'articles' and 'monographs.' Entries on articles are further arranged under topic and then under region.

Directories

  • Bhatt, Purnima Mehta. Scholars' Guide to Washington, D.C. for African Studies. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1980.
    Bobst Ref6 IntlRef Z3501.B48
    Information on Africa-related collections and organization located in Washington, D.C. Includes indexes.
  • Directory of African & Afro-American Studies in the United States. MA: African Studies Association, 1976-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT19.9.U5D56
    Entries from about 400 universities and colleges offering courses on Africa and the African diaspora. Focus on Africa. Organized by states. Indexes of faculty and staff, institutions, program titles and degree offerings, as well as African language courses.
  • Fredland, Richard A. A Guide to African International Organizations. London: H. Zell, 1990.
    Bobst Ref6 JX1995.F67 1990
    Commentaries on about 400 intergovernmental organizations in Africa. Includes index.
  • Gosebrink, Jean E. Meeh. African Studies Information Resources Directory. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: H. Zell, 1986.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.G67 1986
    Guide to principal libraries, special collections, archival depositories, documentation centers, government agencies, museums, associations and other organizations in the United States. Covers also major bookstores, book dealers, distributors, and publishers.
  • South, Aloha. Guide to Non-Federal Archives and Manuscripts in the United States Relating to Africa. London:H. Zell, 1988. 2 vols.
    Bobst Ref1 CD3002.S68 1989
    Descriptions of textual and nontextual archival and manuscript Africa-related records located in U.S. depositories. The entries are arranged by state and city, thereunder by archival or manuscript repository, and thereunder by series or collection.
  • International Directory of African Studies Research = Répertoire international des études africaines, ed. by the International African Institute; compiled by Philip Baker. 3rd fully rev. and expanded ed. London: H. Zell, 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 DT19.8.I58 1994
    Worldwide coverage. The entries are arranged alphabetically by country and name of organization. Includes thematic index by area/ country, index of international organizations, ethnonyms and language names, serial publications and monographic series, and personnel.
  • Shiri, Keith. Directory of African Film-Makers and Films. Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England: Flicks Books, 1992.
    Bobst Ref1 PN 1993.5.A35S48 1992
    Comprehensive reference guide to the most important African film directors and films. Arranged alphabetically by film directors. Includes film title and general indexes.

Biographies

  • Brockman, Norbert. An African Biographical Dictionary. Denver, CO: ABC-CLIO, 1994.
    Bobst Ref1 DT18.B76 1994
    About 550 entries for prominent sub-Saharan Africans with an emphasis on the post-colonial period.
  • Dictionary of African Biography. New York: Reference Publications, c.1977-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT18.D55
    The first three volumes are on Ethiopia-Ghana, Sierra Leone-Zaire, and South Africa-Botswana, Lesotho-Swaziland.
  • Lipschutz, Mark R. and R. Kent Rasmussen. Dictionary of African Historical Biography. 2nd ed., expanded and updated. Berkeley: University of California Press, c.1986.
    Bobst Ref1 DT352.6 1986
    About 850 biographical sketches of historical figures arranged alphabetically. Includes index.
  • Wiseman, John A. Political Leaders in Black Africa: A Biographical Dictionary of the Major Politicians since Independence. Aldershot, Hants, England: E. Elgar, c.1991.
    Bobst DT352.8.W57 1991
    485 brief biographies with a country index.

Current Events

  • Africa Contemporary Record: Annual Survey and Documents. New York: Africana Publishing Co., 1968/69-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT1.A25 vol. 1 (1968/69-)
    Includes essays on current issues, country-by-country reviews and documents. The sources are newspapers, periodicals, news agencies, radio and television stations, as well as monitoring services.
  • Africa Research Bulletin: Economic, Financial, and Technical Series. Exeter, UK: Africa Research, 1965- 1985.
    Bobst DT1.A42 Holdings: 2:3-21 (1965-1985)
    Articles on continental developments, policy and practice, communications and transport, commodities, industries and economic aid. Includes index.
  • Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social, and Cultural Series. Exeter, England: Africa Research, 1965-1985.
    Bobst DT1.A421 Holdings: 2:3-21 (1965-1985)
    Articles on continental alignments, internal developments, national security, overseas relations, as well as social and cultural developments. Includes index.
  • African Recorder. [New Delhi: M.H. Samuel], v. 1- Jan.1/14, 1962-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT1.A526 Holdings: Latest three yrs. only.
    Bobst DT1.A526 Holdings: 1- (1962-)
    Articles on current events in African countries, organized alphabetically. Includes index.
  • Africa South of the Sahara. London: Europa Publications, 1971-.
    Bobst Ref1 DT351.A37 Holdings: Latest 2 editions only.
    Bobst DT351.A37 Holdings: 1- (1971-)
    Comprehensive account of major political and economic developments in each of the sub-Saharan states.

History

  • The Cambridge History of Africa, general editors, J.D. Fage and Roland Oliver. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1975-. 8 vols.
    Bobst Ref1 DT20.C27x
    Survey of Africa's history in 8 volumes. Includes index.
  • General History of Africa, UNESCO International Scientific Committee for the Drafting of a General History of Africa. London : Berkeley: Heinemann; University of California Press, 1981-. 8 vols.
    Bobst Ref1 DT20.G45 1981
    Each volume covers a hiistorical period. Includes indexes.
  • Historical Atlas of Africa, general editors, J.F. Ade Ajayi and Michael Crowder. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985.
    Bobst Ref1 G2446.S1H5 1985 Oversize
    Bobst G2446.S1H5 1985 Oversize
  • Jenkins, Everett. Pan-African Chronology: A Comprehensive Reference to the Black Quest for Freedom in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia, 1400-1865. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, c.1996.
    Bobst Ref1 DT17.J46 1996
    Record of the most important events in African, African American and Pan-African history.

Linguistics

  • Mann, Michael et al. A Thesaurus of African Languages: A Classified and Annotated Inventory of the Spoken Languages of Africa. London: H. Zell, 1987.
    Bobst Ref1 PL8005.M36 1987
    Inventory of African language sets and subsets, followed by listings of languages by state. Includes language index.

Literature

  • African Literatures in the 20th Century: A Guide. New York: Ungar, c.1986.
    Bobst Ref1 PL8010.A43 1986
    Individual chapters on 38 African countries; general overview and information on prominent authors. Includes author index.
  • A History of 20th Century African Literatures, ed. by Oyekan Owomoyela. Lincoln: U. of Nebraska Press, 1993.
    Bobst PL8010.H57 1993
    Bobst Ref1 PL8010.H57 1993
    Essays on anglophone, francophone, and lusophone sub-Saharan African literatures, as well as on literatures in African languages. Includes index.
  • Jahn, Janheinz, Ulla Schild and Almut Nordmann. Who's Who in African Literature: Biographies, Works, Commentaries. Tübingen: H. Erdmann, 1972.
    Bobst Ref1 PL8010.J33
    Sub-Saharan African writers' biographies in alphabetical order. Includes language and country indexes.
  • Limb, Peter and Jean-Maria Volet. Bibliography of African Literatures. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow, c.1996.
    Bobst Ref1 Z6514.C7A38 1996
    Bibliographies of African language, Arabic, anglophone, francophone, and lusophone African literatures. Subgrouped by country. Include author, female author, and country indexes.
  • Lindfors, Bernth. Black African Literature in English, 1977-1981 supplement. NY: Africana Pub. Co., 1986.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5L56 Suppl.
  • Lindfors, Bernth. Black African Literature in English, 1982-1986. London: H. Zell, 1989.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5L562 1989
  • Lindfors, Bernth. Black African Literature in English, 1987-1991. London: H. Zell, 1995.
    Bobst Z3508.L5L562 1995
    Bibliography of books and articles on anglophone African literature organized first by genre or topic, then by author. Includes author, title, subject, and geographical index.
  • Merand, Patrick & Sewanou Dabla. Guide de littérature africaine (de langue francaise). Paris: L'Harmattan, 1979.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5M47
    Bibliography of reference sources, anthologies and criticism. Includes alphabetical lists by author, title, and country.
  • Moser, Gerald M. And Manuel Ferreira. A New Bibliography of the Lusophone Literatures of Africa = Nova bibliografia das literaturas africanas de expressão portuguesa. 2nd completely rev. and expanded ed. London: H, Zell, 1993.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3874.L5M595 1993
    Sections on African literatures in general and on national literatures. Includes author and title index.
  • Pius Ngandu Nkashama. Les années littéraires en Afrique. Paris: Harmattan, 1993-. 2 vols.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3508.L5P58 1993
    Entries are subgrouped by year of publication, by author and by title.
  • Zell, Hans M. A New Reader's Guide to African Literature. 2nd completely rev. and expanded ed. New York: Africana Pub. Co., 1993.
    Bobst Ref1 PN849.A35Z44 1983
    Annotated bibliography on anglophone, francophone, and lusophone African literatures, subarranged by country; children's literature qand section on biographies.

Dissertations

  • Lauer, Joseph J. Gregory V. Larkin and Alfred Kagan. American and Canadian Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses on Africa, 1974-1987. Atlanta, GA: Crossroads Press; Emory University, c.1989.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.L38 1989
    Arrangement by Africa as a whole, by regions, as well as by countries. Includes author, schools, and subject indexes.
  • Price, Helen C. Theses on Africa, 1976-1988: Accepted by the Universities of the United Kingdom and Ireland, edited by Helen C. Price, Colin Hewson, and David Blake. London: Published for the Standing Conference on Library Materials on Africa [by] H. Zell, 1993.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.P75 1993
    The entries are listed geographically under region and country, and mostly subdivided under broad subject headings.
  • Sims, Michael and Alfred Kagan. American & Canadian Doctoral Dissertations & Master's Theses on Africa, 1886-1974. Waltham, MA.: African Studies Association; Brandeis University, 1976.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.S55x
    The entries are arranged by Africa as a whole, by regions, and by countries. Includes author, schools, and subject indexes.
  • Standing Conference on Library Materials on Africa. Theses on Africa, 1963-1975: Accepted by Universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, comp. By J.H.St.J. McIlwaine. London: Mansell, 1978.
    Bobst Ref1 Z3501.S8 1978
    Contains topical sections on the continent, regions, and countries. Includes index.
Log In to OmniUpdate