Encyclopedias

Covers a wide range of topics. Articles start with relatively basic information and advance in depth as they progress.
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The Encyclopedia of Humor Studies explores the concept of humor in history and modern society in the United States and internationally. This work''s scope encompasses the humor of children, adults, and even nonhuman primates throughout the ages, from crude jokes and simple slapstick to sophisticated word play and ironic parody and satire. As an academic social history, it includes the perspectives of a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, child development, social psychology, life style history, communication, and entertainment media. Readers will develop an understanding of the importance of humor as it has developed globally throughout history and appreciate its effects on child and adult development, especially in the areas of health, creativity, social development, and imagination. This two-volume set is available in both print and electronic formats.Features & Benefits: The General Editor also serves as Editor-in-Chief of HUMOR: International Journal of Humor Research for The International Society for Humor Studies. The book''s 335 articles are organized in A-to-Z fashion in two volumes (approximately 1,000 pages). This work is enhanced by an introduction by the General Editor, a Foreword, a list of the articles and contributors, and a Reader''s Guide that groups related entries thematically. A Chronology of Humor, a Resource Guide, and a detailed Index are included. Each entry concludes with References/Further Readings and cross references to related entries. The Index, Reader''s Guide themes, and cross references between and among related entries combine to provide robust search-and-browse features in the electronic version. This two-volume, A-to-Z set provides a general, non-technical resource for students and researchers in such diverse fields as communication and media studies, sociology and anthropology, social and cognitive psychology, history, literature and linguistics, and popular culture and folklore.Key Themes: Anthropology, Folklore, and Ethnicity Antiquity Components of Humor Culture Entertainment Industry History Literature and Major Literary Figures Performing Arts Philosophy and Religion Politics Psychology Clinical and Counseling Psychology Cognition Developmental Psychology General Psychology Health Psychology Interpersonal Relationships Motivation and Emotion Neuropsychology Personality and Social Psychology Tests and Measurement Professions Business World Education Law Humor Theory Linguistics Mathematics, Computer Science, and the Internet National, Ethnic, and Regional Humor Africa Americas Asia Europe Middle East Physiology and Biology Sociology Visual Humor

The second edition of The Oxford Companion to Archaeology is a thoroughly up-to-date resource with new entries exploring the many advances in the field since the first edition published in 1996. In 700 entries, the second edition provides thorough coverage to historical archaeology, thedevelopment of archaeology as a field of study, and the way the discipline works to explain the past. In addition to these theoretical entries, other entries describe the major excavations, discoveries, and innovations, from the discovery of the cave paintings at Lascaux to the deciphering ofEgyptian hieroglyphics and the use of luminescence dating.Recent developments in methods and analytical techniques which have revolutionized the ways excavations are performed are also covered; as well as new areas within archeology, such as cultural tourism; and major new sites which have expanded our understanding of prehistory and human developmentsthrough time.In addition to significant expansion, first-edition entries have been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the progress that has been made in the last decade and a half.

This comprehensive five-volume set contains readable essays that describe and interpret the most important global events since the European Renaissance, some accompanied by related document excerpts and primary source materials. * Entries covering 62 major events that changed the world * Contributions from dozens of well-respected scholars from a variety of disciplines * An extensive timeline accompanies each volume * Appendices for subjects such as States Achieving Independence since 1945 and Ruling Houses and Dynasties * An annotated bibliography of many recent works on each subject event

This reference work is an ideal resource for anyone interested in better understanding the controversial Iraq War. It treats the war in its entirety, covering politics, religion, and history, as well as military issues.

With this book, students, teachers, and general readers get a most important look at primary documents--essentially history's "first draft"--revealing rare insights into how American life in past eras really was, and also about how professional historians begin their work. * More than 200 selected primary documents drawn from more than four centuries of American life * General overviews for each broad topic and analytical introductions to each specific document by the editor * A chronological presentation of American history from colonial times to the present * Brief biographical information on the author and historical context for each document

This unique four-volume encyclopedia examines the historical significance of fashion trends, revealing the social and cultural connections of clothing from the precolonial times to the present day. * Covers the fashions of all economic levels of Americans from the indigent to the very wealthy, from T-shirts to architecturally sculptured gowns and suits * Includes hundreds of illustrations, sidebars, and primary documents to illuminate important areas of interest and encourage active learning * Addresses topics such as the formal wear of the Belle Epoque era, hairstyles of the Empire Revival, haute couture, and the evolution of clothes for teenagers * Presents four full-color photographic essays of clothing styles throughout American history

The Olympic Movement began with the Ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Greece on the Peloponnesus peninsula at Olympia, Greece. It is not clear why the Greeks instituted this quadrennial celebration in the form of an athletic festival. The recorded history of the Ancient Olympic Games begins in 776 B.C., although it is suspected that the Games had been held for several centuries by that time. The Games were conducted as religious celebrations in honor of the god Zeus, and it is known that Olympia was a shrine to Zeus from about 1000 B.C. In modern time The Olympic Movement attempts to bring all the nations of the world together in a series of multisport festivals, the Olympic Games, seeking to use sport as a means to promote internationalism and peace. This fifth edition of Historical Dictionary of The Olympic Movement covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1000 cross-referenced entries on the history, philosophy, and politics of the Olympics, major organizations, the various sports, the participating countries, and especially the athletes. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about The Olympic Movement.

State and local immigration issues and policies for all 50 states are thoroughly examined in this unique, up-to-date, and accessibly written encyclopedia. * Offers topical essays on all 50 U.S. states, covering the history of immigration, state and local policies, and the contributions of various ethnic groups * Provides readers with a big-picture understanding of immigration activity for each state over the past 50 years * Includes chronologies, historical overviews, and topical essays that provide important background and place major events and legislation in context * Offers a "notable figures/groups" section with biographical and group profiles highlighting the contributions made by particular individuals and organizations in relation to immigration

This comprehensive set of essays documents the most important criminal, civil, and political trials in the United States from colonial times to the present, examining their impact on both legal history and popular culture.

In over 1,000 entries, this acclaimed Companion covers all aspects of the Western fairy tale tradition, from medieval to modern, under the guidance of Professor Jack Zipes. It provides an authoritative reference source for this complex and captivating genre, exploring the tales themselves, thewriters who wrote and reworked them, and the artists who illustrated them. It also covers numerous related topics such as the fairy tale and film, television, art, opera, ballet, the oral tradition, music, advertising, cartoons, fantasy literature, feminism, and stamps.First published in 2000, 130 new entries have been added to account for recent developments in the field, including J. K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins, and new articles on topics such as cognitive criticism and fairy tales, digital fairy tales, fairy tale blogs and websites, and pornography and fairytales. The remaining entries have been revised and updated in consultation with expert contributors.This second edition contains beautifully designed feature articles highlighting countries with a strong fairy tale tradition, covering: Britain and Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, North America and Canada, Portugal, Scandinavian countries, Slavic and Baltic countries, and Spain. It alsoincludes an informative and engaging introduction by the editor, which sets the subject in its historical and literary context. A detailed and updated bibliography provides information about background literature and further reading material. In addition, the A to Z entries are accompanied by over60 beautiful and carefully selected black and white illustrations. Already renowned in its field, the second edition of this unique work is an essential companion for anyone interested in fairy tales in literature, film, and art; and for anyone who values the tradition of storytelling.

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This academic, multi-author reference work serves as a general and non-technical resource for students and teachers to understand the importance of biomes and ecosystems; to discover the biology and geography of these places around the world; to learn the history of biomes and ecosystems; and to initiate educational discussion brought forth by the specific social and topical articles presented in the work. SCOPE AND COVERAGE A comprehensive review of key biological and geographic classifications tied to the high-school and college curriculum. The reference work covers the broad scope of biomes and ecosystems around the world, from puddles on the street to coral reefs in Australia to rain forests in Brazil to the tundra in Siberia. Each article will delve into the properties that make the subject a biome or ecosystem, and how those features work together. Especially targeted toward high-school students, this outstanding reference work is edited to make the content readily accessible as well to patrons of public, academic, and university libraries. The work introduces readers to hundreds of specific species of fauna and flora found in ecosystems ranging from relatively pristine atolls to recognised environmental catastrophes. It goes beyond description of these species to show how they interact with each other and with their environment, and how human activities have affected them over time. Many species endemic to unique ecosystems, such as the freshwater seals of Lake Baikal, which are found hundreds of miles from any ocean, are covered along with invasive species that affect native fauna and flora, such as the crown-of-thorns starfish and the zebra mussel. Endangered animals are featured in the context of the environmental problems specific to their biomes, and include Australia's night parrot, the Siamese crocodile, and the Amur leopard. Conservation success stories, such as the return of sustainable population of black robins to the Chatham Islands in the Pacific, are accompanied by detailed, up-to-date information on national parks, marine sanctuaries, wildlife refuges around the world, and their management.

Available in print or as ebook.
This set is designed to be a one-stop-shop for young students first learning about healthy habits and health issues in general. Each volume in this set is organized around a theme: Vol. 1: Nutrition, Exercise, and Environmental Health; Vol. 2: Medicine and Healthcare; Vol. 3: Mental Health and Self-Esteem.

This volume explores the essential role of technology and its most recent developments toward a sustainable environment. Green technology includes the changing of existing technology toward energy conservation as well as the creation of new, clean technology aimed at utilizing renewable resources. With a primary focus on waste management, the volume presents over 150 articles in A-to-Z format.