This research guide is designed to provide an overview of both online and print resources related to Chinese studies available at the USC libraries and on the internet.
Includes 4000+ titles of e-books from various publishers in China. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes biographical materials of nearly one million historical figures. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Contains digital version of the replicated Rare Books of China, initially nearly 800 titles. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes more than 27,000 volumes of Chinese and Japanese ancient books covering historical, political, economic, religious, philosophic, literary, ethnic and geographic documents. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes 70,000 photos and images from the Republican Period. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes 200,000 titles of books published during the Republican Period. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes a collection of 2000+ titles published in Taiwan. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Provides full-text access to scholarly journals from Taiwan in all disciplines. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Provides temporary access to 中国近代图书全文数据库 (1840-1949), 中国近代中文期刊全文数据库—电影专题 (全文检索版), 中国近代中文报纸全文数据库-申报 (1872~1949), and 图述百年—中国近代文献图库 (1833-1949) developed by Shanghai Library. Access ends on April 30.
Includes tens of thousands of pre-1949 periodicals. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes a substantial number of late Qing and Republican newspapers. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes full-text articles and abstracts from scholarly and university in all disciplines compiled by Renmin University of China, Beijing. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Includes 47 collections of classical texts, inscriptions, historical and archival documents, etc. from pre-modern China, such as 四部叢刊, 歷代石刻史料彙編, 起居注, 明清內閣大庫史料集刊, etc. For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (https://itservices.usc.edu/vpn/). Access ends on June 30.
Most Commonly Used Databases in Chinese Studies
Books
Duxiu (Chinese Google Scholar)Known as Chinese Google Scholar, Duxiu provides access to a huge amount of full-text scholarly resources in all subjects and formats, such as books, theses & dissertations, journal & newspaper articles, conference papers, etc.
China Academic Digital Associative Library (CADAL) 大学数字图书馆国际合作计划Includes over 2.5 million scanned books, newspapers, journals, video, audio books, etc. from all periods of Chinese history. The titles are not full-text searchable, but they provide tables of contents for easy navigation and virtual loan. Also provides access to some other resources, such as calligraphy, chronicle of Chinese literature, and Chinese medicine. Please note that you need to create an individual account using USC email address with the site in order to use their online reading and virtual borrowing functionalities for each title. Please refer to their FAQ section for more instructions.
Wenshi Ziliao (Literary and Historical Materials) Series IIncludes 20,000+ volumes and 650,000+ articles of Chinese literary and historical materials compiled by the national and local government agencies mostly during the 1980s and 1990s. To access the database, please click the link “click to enter” on the homepage, then click “文史资料专题库 (第一期)" under “SuperStar specialty” section, and then you will then be able to browse and search the wenshi ziliao collection.
HathiTrustScans of public domain books across all subject areas which can be downloaded in their entirety. To enable downloads, please click the “Log In” button and select “University of Southern California” from the dropdown list. You will then be prompted for your USC NetID and password and validated via Shibboleth. You will also find records for works still in copyright, but these can only be searched, not viewed or downloaded.
OCLC, Online Computer Library Center, is a nonprofit, membership, library computer service and research organization.
WorldCat contains millions of bibliographic records describing items owned by libraries around the world. Item records provide information about individual library holdings. Types of materials include books, journals, musical scores, computer data files, magazines, newspapers, computer programs, sound recordings, films and slides, maps, videotapes, and manuscripts written as early as the 12th century. Updated daily.
Journals
China Academic Journals, series F, G and HThe key source for searching scholarly journal literature published in mainland China. USC’s subscription includes thousands of Chinese journals in Series F - Literature / History / Philosophy, Series G - Politics / Military Affairs / Law, and Series H - Education / Social Sciences, with many full-text articles dating back as early as 1915.
Wanfang China Online JournalsIncludes thousands of Chinese journals in the humanities and social sciences from mainland China from 1997 on. Also includes select monographic series titles, such as 元史及民族与边疆研究集刊, 藏外佛教文献, etc.
Airiti Library: Journals & ThesesProvides full-text access to academic journals, theses and dissertations from Taiwan (mostly), mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and other countries in all disciplines.
Duxiu (Chinese Google Scholar)Known as Chinese Google Scholar, Duxiu provides access to a huge amount of full-text scholarly resources in all subjects and formats, such as books, theses & dissertations, journal & newspaper articles, conference papers, etc.
Pishu (China Economy, Public Policy, and Security Database)'Pishu' (皮书, which literally means ‘cover-books’) are high-value analytical reports intended to guide policymaking in the People’s Republic of China. They are published by the prestigious Social Sciences Academic Press, a branch of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Covered topics include a variety of issues of importance to China's government and research community, including international relations, agricultural policy, and industry competitiveness. They may be considered somewhat analogous to United States Congressional Research Service reports and analysis reports published by the RAND Corporation.
Late Qing/Republican Periodicals DatabaseDeveloped by the Shanghai Library, Late Qing/Republican Periodicals Database provides full-text access to thousands of periodicals and magazines published in China from 1833 to 1949.
Only 1 user is allowed to access the database at one time.
Bibliography of Asian Studies (BAS)The Bibliography of Asian Studies (BAS) contains over 737,175 records (as of July 9, 2009) on all subjects (especially in the humanities and the social sciences) pertaining to East, Southeast, and South Asia published worldwide from 1971 to the present.
Through the 1991 printed version, the BAS included citations to Western-language periodical articles, monographs, chapters in edited volumes, conference proceedings, anthologies, and Festschriften, etc. Monographs published since 1992 have not been added to the database, and users seeking such monographs are urged to consult other general resources and databases (RLIN, OCLC, etc.). The online BAS offers users various methods for seeking citations. A separate screen allows users to set their preferences for displaying and downloading data in different formats and character encodings. The BAS is updated regularly, with batch posting of thousands of new entries in each upload.
People's Daily (1946-Present)People's Daily is the most influential and authoritative newspaper in China. It has been the official voice of the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China since 1946.
2 users access.
Global Times (1993-Present)Global Times is a daily newspaper focusing on international relations and foreign affairs. It is an essential indicator of Chinese foreign policies.
2 users access.
Duxiu (Chinese Google Scholar)Known as Chinese Google Scholar, Duxiu provides access to a huge amount of full-text scholarly resources in all subjects and formats, such as books, theses & dissertations, journal & newspaper articles, conference papers, etc.
Scripta Sinica 漢籍電子文獻資料庫Developed by the Academia Sinica in Taiwan, the Scripta Sinica database 漢籍電子文獻資料庫 contains almost all of the important Chinese classics, especially those related to Chinese history. Click on "授權使用" button to access the database.
Wenshi Ziliao (Literary and Historical Materials) Series IIncludes 20,000+ volumes and 650,000+ articles of Chinese literary and historical materials compiled by the national and local government agencies mostly during the 1980s and 1990s. To access the database, please click the link “click to enter” on the homepage, then click “文史资料专题库 (第一期)" under “SuperStar specialty” section, and then you will then be able to browse and search the wenshi ziliao collection.
Database of Chinese New Local Gazetteers 中国新方志Local gazetteers are regarded by scholars and historians in the China field as one of the most important primary sources for the study of history of Chinese economy, politics, culture, military, and science and technology. This database includes a large collection of post-1949 local gazetteers covering all regions of mainland China and various subject areas.
For off-campus access, please connect to the database via USC VPN client program (http://software.usc.edu)
Wanfang Dissertations of ChinaContains full text and abstracts of theses and dissertations in the humanities and social sciences from key research institutions in mainland China.
Airiti Library: Journals & ThesesProvides full-text access to academic journals, theses and dissertations from Taiwan (mostly), mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and other countries in all disciplines.
Duxiu (Chinese Google Scholar)Known as Chinese Google Scholar, Duxiu provides access to a huge amount of full-text scholarly resources in all subjects and formats, such as books, theses & dissertations, journal & newspaper articles, conference papers, etc.