Research Guides: AFST 150: August Wilson's American Century Cycle: Finding Works

Finding Literature

Searching from the Libraries catalog, PRIMO, will get you started with finding literature for your research.

Pro search tips:

Searching for work by Wilson? In advanced search, search for his name with the "Author/creator" field selected.
Searching for work about Wilson? In advanced search, search for his name with the "Subject" field selected.
W&M Libraries contains a large percentage of ebooks, but don't let that stop you from looking for physical books, too! Browsing the library stacks in the section related to your topic can be a wonderful way to discover books on your topic that didn't come up in a catalog search.
- Here's how the shelving system works, borrowed from Kent State Libraries. Don't feel weird asking at the front desk for more help - it's what we're here for.
Also try databases like Black Drama which contains the full text of many of Wilson's plays

Black Drama This link opens in a new window
Black Drama, now in its expanded third edition, contains the full text of more than 1,700 plays written from the mid-1800s to the present by more than 200 playwrights from North America, English-speaking Africa, the Caribbean, and other African diaspora countries.

Finding Film

Not everything is on Netflix or other streaming services, especially when it comes to African-American film! The Libraries has some films about Wilson, which you can find by searching from the Libraries homepage for Books & Media (aka our catalog). If those don't appeal to you, you can request another film on DVD through Interlibrary Loan (free account setup required first)--it doesn't cost you anything.

Try searching for the creator's last name in Advanced Search, using either the Author/Creator or Subject fields.
Try searching for the titles of films in Advanced Search, using the Title field
Try searching our Streaming Video databases for films about August Wilson or of his works