| Library | 8am – 6pm |
|---|---|
| Research Assistance | 10am – 2pm |
The humanities incorporate a broad range of disciplines. It's a diverse field of study that transcends and crosses quite a few different fields. It is often interdisciplinary in nature. The humanities can include disciplines such as:
In these different disciplines primary sources have similarities and differences. Primary sources can be found in a variety of formats: original documents in archives and libraries; materials reprinted in published sources, such as collections of letters, diaries, or autobiographies; microfilm/microfiche; or recordings. There are sometimes differences in disciplines of what constitutes a primary source too. In history firsthand accounts to understand historical events are considered primary sources while in literature or the arts there are the original texts or scores of music.
Further examples of primary sources in the humanities can include (but are not limited to):
Just because a source is considered primary doesn't mean you can use it without looking at it with a critical eye. Much like when you look at other sources, you have to consider elements of it's creation and intended use. Some good questions to ask yourself are very similar to the questions you might ask yourself when you are looking at webpages or other sources you're analyzing.
The Kraemer Family Library has resources to help you find primary sources, both within our collections and beyond. Research guides related to your discipline can be a great place to start further research, and the subject librarian who works with your discipline is a great resource too.