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Religious Studies

Specialized databases

Other useful databases:

Background & Reference

Search the library:  combine these with your broad topic(s).

  • encyclopedia(s); encyclopaedia
  • dictionary; dictionaries
  • companion
  • handbook
  • introduction
  • guide

Examples: 

encyclopedias AND islam

(companion OR handbook) AND muslim


Collections of Background Resources

Note: search the library for print versions of some titles, and for titles that are listed but not accessible.

Subject Terms / Keywords

Use in basic search or "subject" field search (usually in advanced search).

Some key ones:

  • Islam
  • Muslim
  • Muhammad prophet
  • [try other denominations]

  • "religious aspects"
  • "study and teaching"
  • ritual; rituals; liturgy; worship
  • doctrines
  • "customs and practices"

  • Koran

For example:

islam AND "study and teaching"

TIP: keep track of useful subject terms for future searching.

Call Numbers. Shelf Browsing.

Explore the shelves physically and "virtually" (through call number searching).

  • BP 1-600  Islam

Further breakdowns here (click on B section):

New books in the University of Alberta Library

Websites

Important: These links are out of our control. They may change or become dead unexpectedly.

Koran, Quran, Qu'ran, al-Qur'an

Finding copies of the Qur'an can be quite tricky because of the many variations in spelling. "Koran" is the most standardised spelling in many of our systems.

Starter Titles