Research Guides: Sociology: Encyclopedias

What is an encyclopedia?

A subject-specific encyclopedia (or encyclopedic set) is a single (or multi-volume) reference work that provides background information on a more specialized discipline.

Online Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Marxism
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The Encyclopedia of Marxism aims to be the most complete reference guide to Marxism, the working class, and revolution in the world. We present these words uniquely with a Marxist analysis & critique, and we try to lay bare these words so there can be a shared understanding, a lucidity that exposes our diverse roots of thought and history, and explanations that are readily comprehensible. We do this work in the earnest quest that by presenting this information, putting it clearly out in the open, we will encourage you, the reader, to help us out, to expand our own horizons, our limited knowledge and experience.

Print Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Social Theory by Harrington, Austin
Call Number: REF HM425 .E53 2006
Publication Date: 2006
Emphasis is on concepts, themes, debates, and schools of thought rather than on personalities. Signed entries ranging from about 300 to 2,500 words cover connotations of "action" to contemporary Slovenian theorist Zizek, Slavoj.

Electronic Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Social Problems by Vincent N. Parrillo (Editor)
Publication Date: 2008
Provides as comprehensive an approach as possible to this multifaceted field, utilizing experts from numerous disciplines.
Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2e by Edgar F. Borgatta
Publication Date: 2000
Articles cover core issues such as race, poverty, violence, economics, pregnancy and abortion. New articles have been written on topics such as the Internet, privacy and epidemiology.
Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development by Deborah S. Carr
Publication Date: 2008
Examines three key life stages from a sociological perspective, exploring how enduring experiences, as well as transitions and events such as childcare, education, stress, marriage, career, addiction, friendship, parenthood, disease, spirituality, and retirement influence the individual's life course. The life stages examined are: Childhood and Adolescence; Adulthood; and Later Life.
Social Issues in America: An Encyclopedia by James Ciment (Editor)
Publication Date: 2006
More than 150 key social issues confronting the United States today are covered in this eight-volume set, in an A to Z format: from abortion and adoption to capital punishment and corporate crime; from obesity and organized crime to sweatshops and xenophobia.
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, 2nd ed. by Darity, William A.
Publication Date: 2008
Covers scholarship and fields that have emerged and matured since the publication of the original international edition. Highlights the expanding influence of economics in social science research and features new articles and biographies contributed by scholars from around the world on a wide array of global topics in the social sciences.
Social Science Encyclopedia, 2e by Kuper, Adam
Publication Date: 2003
Contains more than 600 signed articles representing current theory, practice, and policy in such disciplines as anthropology, economics, education, feminism, geography, government and politics, linguistics, philosophy, and sociology.