University Library > Research Guides > Religious Studies

Brief Guide To Library Resources In Religious Studies

Getting Started

  • Approaches to the study of religion (BL41.A65 1999)
  • Biblical studies on the Internet: a resource guide (Z7770.W67 2002)
  • Library research guide to religion and theology (Folio BL41.K45 1984)
  • The Literature of theology: a guide for students and pastors (Z7751.B67 2003)
  • Religious studies: the making of a discipline (BL41.C36 1995)
  • Research guide to religious studies (REF BL41.W5 1982)
  • Research techniques for scholars and students in religion and theology (BL41.T83 2002)
  • Theological and religious reference materials (Z7770.G662 1984)
  • Writing and research in religious studies (BL41.W75 1992)

Reference Resources

  1. Check on your topic in specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries and handbooks, for example:
    • The anchor Bible dictionary (REF BS440.A54 1992)
    • The atlas of holy places & sacred sites (REF BL580.W55 1996)
    • Concise dictionary of theology (REF BR95.O25 1991)
    • Contemporary American religion (REF BL2525.C65 2000)
    • Dictionary of biblical interpretation (REF BS500 .D5 1999)
    • Dictionary of unbelief (REF BL2705.E53 1985)
    • The encyclopedia of American Catholic history (REF BX1406.2 .E53 1997)
    • Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim world (BP40 .E525 2004)
    • Encyclopedia of religion (REF BL31.E46 1986)
    • Encyclopedia of the American religious experience (REF BL2525.E53 1988)
    • Encyclopedia of women and world religion (REF BL458.E53 1999)
    • Man, myth, & magic, the illustrated encyclopedia of mythology (REF BF1411.M25 1983)
    • New Catholic encyclopedia (REF BX841.N44 1967)
    • New encyclopedia of Judaism (REF BM50.E63 2002)
  2. Also check similar works in related fields such as psychology, sociology, history, etc.
  3. Specialized bibliographies should also be consulted, as a sample:
    • The Early Church: an Annotated Bibliography (REF BR162.2.R63 1993)
    • Judaism and Christianity: a guide to the reference literature (REF Z6370.S78 1990)
    • Liberation Theologies: a Research Guide (REF Z7809.M87 1991)
    • Religion and Society in North America: an Annotated Bibliography (REF Z7831.R44 1983)

Finding Books

Use OSCAR, the SCU libraries' online catalog.

See the Searchpath library skills tutorial for searching hints and tips on OSCAR.

Journal Articles

Most indexes to periodicals are online, except as noted below. From the Orradre home page, choose ‘e-resources’ and use the drop-down box to choose a subject. In addition to the ATLA Religion database, you may want to use some of the following, which have more full-text online articles.

  • ATLA Religion Database + ATLAS 1949-
  • Academic Search Elite 1985-
  • Catholic Periodical and Literature Index 1930- (in print: REF AI3.C32 Table O, front)
  • Guide to Catholic Literature, 1888-1967 (in print: REF Z7837.G9)
  • Guide to Social Science and Religion (in print: REF Z7753.G83 Table S, front)
  • Humanities Full Text 1984-
  • New Testament Abstracts 1956- (in print: REF BS410 .N35 Table O, back)
  • Old Testament Abstracts 1978- (in print: REF BS410 .O42 Table O, back)
  • Religious and Theological Abstracts 1958- (in print: REF Z776.C3 Table O, back)

Also check related indexes, such as PsycINFO, Philosopher’s Index, Historical Abstracts, etc

Online Resources

Beyond Our Walls

Books and journal articles not available at SCU are likely available through Bronco Express, or LINK+, our interlibrary loan and document delivery services.

Need More Help? - Ask at the Reference Desk, or schedule an appointment with a reference librarian.

GCARLSON/RSRefb 6/04