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American History

This guide is intended for students who are doing research in American history, either for classroom assignments, research papers, or exploring a career in American history.

Welcome to the American History guide!

At Contra Costa College, American History courses are part of the Social Sciences Department, which is committed to the study of primary sources of information. Topics covered in this research guide include resources that support the department's goal to provide a holistic understanding of the American experience through primary sources including government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished materials such as manuscripts, personal diaries, and letters.

Books: Look here for key books in this topic area (including print books on our shelves, and electronic books you can use from home). 

Quick catalog entry points: 

Articles: We've chosen a few key article databases for your topic area where you might find information in magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Media: Want to watch something on your topic? Check out our video databases.

Internet Sources: Finding a high quality website through Google can feel frustrating. We have some evaluation tips and ideas of where you might want to start.

Image of voting booths shared via Creative Commons from flicker user Michael Rosenstein