HISPANIC CULTURE:

A ROHRBACH LIBRARY PATHFINDER

 

Prepared by Sylvia Pham

Reference Librarian, Rohrbach Library

 

 

Hispanic Culture is a vibrant and thriving culture.  It is a culture that encompasses a wide variety of influences.  It is represented in many countries, such as Spain in Europe, Mexico in Central America, most of South America and several countries in the Caribbean.  As more and more people in this country can claim to be of Hispanic origin, there is a need to learn and to understand the origins and diversity of Hispanic people.  These resources can help the reader to accomplish this.   The texts described in this pathfinder are all located in the Reference Department of Rohrbach Library.  The call number for each book is given to help locate the material within the Reference Department.

 

Happy Reading!

SELECT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SUBJECT HEADINGS

These subject headings and subsequent titles can be found in Quincy, the library’s online catalog.  These headings can be found by doing a Library of Congress subject search using the phrase Hispanic Americans and/or Latin Americans.

 

·        Hispanic Americans

·        Hispanic Americans Civilization

·        Hispanic Americans History

·        Hispanic Americans History Chronology

·        Hispanic Americans Population

·        Hispanic Americans Social Life and Customs

·        Hispanic Americans Statistics

·        Hispanic Americans United States

·        Latin Americans

·        Latin Americans United States

 

REFERENCE TEXTS

 

Encyclopedia of Mexico: History, Society and Culture.  Ed. By Michael S. Werner, 1997.

This text provides readers with in-depth information on various topics concerning Mexico.  Subjects include famous people, historical facts, geographical, socio-economic, political and cultural issues.  Entries are arranged alphabetically and provide detailed information on the subject.  It is a two-volume set with an index in the second volume.

REF F 1210 E63 1997

 

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures.  By David Carrasco, 2001.

Provides readers with detailed information on topics related to Mesoamerica.  Mesoamerica is defined as the area covering Mexico and its neighboring countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  Entries are arranged alphabetically.  The topics cover many areas of interest such as history, cultural aspects, political issues, influential people, and geography.  It is a three-volume set and features and index in the third volume.

REF F 1218.6 O95 2001

 

South American Handbook 2001.  Seventy-seventh edition, 2001.

This book is a travel guide.  It gives the reader essential tips on traveling to South America.  Such tips include what to bring, where to stay, local customs, etiquette, transportation, major holidays, maps, and language dialects.  The book is then broken down by a list of the countries in South America.  Each country listing is then divided by region.  Each region contains detailed information on areas of interest for the visiting tourist.  The book contains an index.

REF F 1401 S71  2001

 

Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture.  Ed. By Barbara A. Tenenbaum, 1996.

This five-volume set concentrates on the historical and cultural aspects of Latin America, including contemporary issues and famous people.  It is illustrated.  It covers Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.  The set is indexed.

REF F 1406 E53 1996

 

Chronology of Hispanic American History.  By Nicolas Kanellos, 1995

This book covers Hispanic American History in a chronological format, from approximately 50,000 BC to the present time.  Chapters are divided by time periods.  There are also chapters on regional histories, historical timelines, and one chapter on documents of historical significance.  There are photos throughout of important historical figures.  The book features two indexes.

REF E 184 S75 C49 1995

 

Hispanic American Material Culture: an Annotated Directory of Collections, Sites,

Archives, and Festivals in the United States.  By Joe S. Graham, 1989.

This book offers a listing of Hispanic American exhibits and collections in various cultural institutions throughout the U.S. There is also a chapter on various festivals held throughout the U.S. that celebrate Hispanic culture.  The book is indexed.

REF E 184 S75 C49 1995

 

The Hispanic American Almanac.  Ed. By Nicolas Kanellos, 1993.

This text offers readers information on societal and cultural issues.   Topics such as business, education, religion, the family, labor, and language are covered.  A historical overview is given on Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans.  The book is indexed. 

REF E 184 S75 H557 1993

 

Statistical Handbook on U.S. Hispanics.  Ed. By Frank L. Schick, 1991

This book offers statistics, tables, and graphs on many socio-economic categories concerning Hispanics.  Demographics, social characteristics, education, health, and labor are some of the areas covered.  An introduction is given at the beginning of each subject, discussing patterns and trends.  The book is indexed.

REF E 184 S75 S27 1991

 

Latin America: A Political Dictionary.  By Ernest E. Rossi and Jack C. Plano, 1992.

Topics are arranged in each chapter alphabetically.  Chapters deal with specific subject areas of Latin American politics, such as the military, political parties, revolutions, and U.S.-Latin American relations.  The book is indexed.  Each topic is assigned a number for easy cross-reference.

REF F 1406 R67 1992

 

Who Is Who: Government, Politics, Banking and Industry in Latin America.  Ed. by

Bettina Corke, 1989. 

With this text chapters are divided by country.  Under each country there is an alphabetical listing of important political figures.  Titles job descriptions, and accomplishments are given.  The book is indexed.

REF F 1407 W46 1989

 

Latin America: A Guide to Illustrations.  By A. Curtis Wilgus, 1981. 

The purpose of this book is to help the reader find specific types of illustrations. Chapters are divided by subject.  Each chapter is then broken down further, usually by country or region, followed by the listing of illustrations.  Each entry has the title of the illustration, the book where the illustration can be found, and the page number with the illustration.

REF F 1408 W667

 

Hispanic Market Handbook.  By M. Isabel Valdes and Marta Seona, 1995.

This book offers readers a step-by-step process on marketing strategies for Hispanic Americans.  Hispanic Americans will soon be a very large and influential consumer group in the future.  There are chapters discussing social customs and characteristics of different Hispanic groups.  Demographics are shown, giving readers a picture on current population trends.  Locations where large groups of Hispanic Americans reside are given.  Also noted are the median ages for various Hispanic groups.  The large amount of information in this book is to help those in the business world understand the buying processes of this consumer group.  There are differences between Hispanic and American culture (as well as differences between Hispanic groups), and these differences are discussed to help readers understand the mindset behind the purchasing decisions of Hispanic Americans. 

REF HC 110 C6  V347 1995

 

Doing Business With Latin America.  Ed. by Adam Jolly, 1996.

This book gives readers information on the business climate in Latin America.  This is most useful for those interested in expanding into this market.  Explanations of foreign government, economy, trade, social trends, and culture are given.  Basic facts on each country are stated as well.  A business directory for each country gives readers useful addresses and phone numbers of important area businesses.  The book is indexed. 

REF HD 1393.4 L29 D65 1998

 

The Mexico Handbook: Economic and Demographic Maps and Statistics.  By James B. Pick and Edgar W. Butler, 1994.

This text features an array of statistics, tables, and graphs solely on Mexico.  Many different aspects of life in Mexico are covered, such as social, economic, and political.  The book is indexed.

REF HC 135 P5 1994

 

Dictionary of Afro-Latin Civilization.  By Benjamin Nunez, 1980.

This book is an alphabetically arranged list of important places, subjects, people, and phrases in Latin American culture.  What makes this book unique, however, is the emphasis on the African origin and influence to Latin American culture.  The relationship between Africa and Latin America is explained in detail through the entries given in the book.    The book is indexed.

REF F 1408.3 N86

 

Biographical Dictionary of Latin American Historians and Historiography.  By Jack Ray Thomas, 1984.

This book is an alphabetical listing of influential Latin American historians.  biographical information is given, as well as information on the historians major writings as well.  The significance of the author’s works is noted.  The book is indexed.

REF F 1409.8 A2t48

 

The Dictionary of Contemporary Politics of Central America and the Caribbean.

Ed.  by Phil Gunson and Greg Chamberlain, 1991.

This is has an alphabetically arranged listing of people and political parties that are involved in the political climate of the 1990s.  Significant events, movements, and “buzzwords” are also noted.  Regional maps are given.  The book is indexed.

REF F 2183 G86 1991

 

Hispanic Americans: A Statistical Sourcebook.  Ed. By Louise Hornor, 2001

This book contains statistical information on a variety of different subjects.  Demographics, social characteristics, education, labor, and income are some of the areas covered.  There is a glossary and an index.

REF E 184 S75 H5655 2001

 

WEBSITES

 

            Websites are useful for finding out information a variety of topics on Hispanic Americans.  The following websites contain relevant information on Hispanic Americans.

 

Librarian’s Index to the Internet

A subject search using the phrase Hispanic Americans will bring up many useful links to websites containing, in-depth, credible information.

 

Hispanic Online

This website is based on Hispanic Magazine.  It features a variety of topics and issues.                                                    

 

U.S. Census Bureau

This website contains statistical information on the Hispanic population.    

 

Latino Online News Network

This website features news stories from Latin America as well as other news stories of interest to Hispanic Americans.

 

Latin World

This website is a resource for information on Latin America.   It is bilingual, with a variety of topics.

 

 

 

LIBRARY DATABASES

             

            The following databases available at Rohrbach Library contain many full-text articles and abstracts on Hispanic Americans.  The databases are available through the library’s homepage and can be accessed off-campus. 

 

Ethnic Newswatch

            This is a general reference database with many articles in both English and Spanish.  Spanish-based journals, magazines, and newspapers are represented.  Topics include current news, history, sociology, business, government, culture, literature, journalism, and more.

 

Ebscohost Academic Search Premier

            This general academic database contains many full-text articles on Hispanic Americans.  A variety of mainstream magazines and journals are featured here. 

 

Web Feet Online

            This databases features web sites on a variety of topics carefully reviewed by teachers, librarians and other specialists.  It is updated monthly for accuracy and relevancy.

 

 

 

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