InfoGuides: Dance: Find Background Sources

Background Resources

When beginning your research, use encyclopedias and dictionaries to get background information on your topic. The library offers these resources both physically and online through e-books and databases. In the Library Search on the homepage, type in a general topic (e.g. "dance") and "encyclopedia" or "dictionary".

Below are a few reference resources to get you get started:

Arts and Humanities Through the Eras
Each volume in this encyclopedia has a chapter on Dance. Entries list sources and documentary sources. Also available in print in Fenwick Library.
International Encyclopedia of Dance
Comprehensive articles on all aspects of dance. Excellent counterpoint to Wikipedia.

The Encyclopedia of World Folk Dance
Offers the reader an overview of the evolution and social and religious significance of folk dance.

Oxford Art Online This link opens in a new window
Includes biographies, dictionary articles, and reference articles on popular choreographers, dancers, and dance forms.

Suggested Books

International Encyclopedia of Dance by Inc. Dance Perspectives Foundation, Inc. (Editor); Selma Jeanne Cohen (Editor)
ISBN: 9780195173697
Publication Date: 2004-12-23
The Oxford Dictionary of Dance by Debra Craine; Judith Mackrell
ISBN: 9780199563449
Publication Date: 2010-09-10
The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Ethnicity by Anthony Shay (Editor); Barbara Sellers-Young (Editor)
Call Number: Fenwick Stacks: GV1588.6 .O84 2015
ISBN: 9780199754281
Publication Date: 2016
The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Theater by Nadine George-Graves (Editor)
Call Number: Fenwick Stacks: GV1594 .O94 2015
ISBN: 9780199917495
Publication Date: 2015
The Oxford Handbook of Screendance Studies by Douglas Rosenberg (Editor)
Call Number: Fenwick Stacks: GV1779 .O94 2016
ISBN: 9780199981601
Publication Date: 2016