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HIST 4300: Weimar Republic: Home

This guide contains resources for students in Prof. Erin Hochman's course as they research and write their papers on the Weimar Republic

Course

  • HIST 4300
  • The Weimar Republic: Germany between Democracy and Dictatorship
  • Dr. Erin Hochman
  • Spring 2019

In the library session we will discuss:

  • Finding sources
    • Using: Library search, Worldcat, databases (historical abstracts)
  • Types of resources
    • Reference (background or tertiary) sources
    • Primary sources
    • Secondary resources
      • peer-reviewed
  • Citation style
    • Related: reading bibliographies

 

Gathering Background Information

As you get started, you can get ideas from class discussions or readings.

If it is a topic you are just getting started with, look for background Information in reference resources.

Reference resources allow you to:

  • Gain familiarity with the topic
  • Identify more specific aspects of the topic on which to focus
  • Provide context and identify differing perspectives
  • Identify experts related to the topic

Searching

Once you have identified a topic, select the terms and phrases that are essential to understanding the topic.

  • How should you search?
    • Where (what databases) should you search?
    • What search terms should you use? Does your assignment give you any search terms?
      • Should you use Natural language search (using key words), or Controlled Vocabulary search (using subject term search)?
    • Will Boolean search (AND, OR, NOT) help?
    • Will limiting by date or place of publication help?
    •  If you are using a database heavily:
      • 1. use advanced search
      • 2. and look in help for suggestions on how to construct your search

These databases are useful for both primary and secondary sources. For more specific resources to either primary or secondary sources, please see the tabs above

Librarian

Rafia Mirza's picture
Rafia Mirza

If you come across any source that you cannot access through SMU, Inter-Library Loan is always an option! If you fill out a request, the library can get whole books mailed here for you to check out (takes up to 1-2 weeks), or can provide copied or scanned versions of journal articles and other shorter sources (usually takes a couple days). The link to the form is below: