LIS 731: LC subject analysis

Winter 2006

 

 

 

Catalog description:

 

In-depth study of the Library of Congress classification system, including L.C. subject headings, the application of L.C. systems to general and special libraries and the question of reclassification. Analysis of subject headings and other vocabulary approaches to information. Comparative study of the Library of Congress Classification system with other significant classification systems.

 

Texts:

 

Chan, Lois Mai. Library of Congress Subject Headings:  Principles and Application, 4th ed. Westport : Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

 

Chan, Lois Mai. A guide to the Library of Congress classification, 5th ed. Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1999.

 

Olson, Hope A., et al. Subject analysis in online catalogs, 2nd ed. Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 2001.

 

 

Syllabus

 

Session

Date

General topics

Readings and assignments due

1

1/9

Introduction to LCSH, LCC, DDC; homework: investigate LCSH, bib records/call numbers, Catalogers Desktop, Web Dewey, Classification Web, other tools.

Note that the detailed assignments are posted on blackboard.

2

1/23

Choose groups and LC classes to study; discuss class cataloging project(s); review readings; practice assigning subject headings, classification nos.; subdivisions.

 

For the next several weeks we will look at the following topics.  The precise order will be determined by the schedule below the syllabus.  The topics in the middle and right columns will be woven into the appropriate classification/subject sessions.

Assignment 1: introduction to LC subject headings

3

1/30

 

Classification subjects/topics

 

·         Arts

·         Humanities

·         Literature

·         Social sciences

·         Natural/applied sciences

·         Law

·         Interdisciplinary subjects

·         Special topics

 

 

Subject heading topics

 

·         Proper names

·         Subdivisions

·         Pattern headings

·         Special types of materials

 

 

 

 

Other topics

 

 

·         Assigning s.h’s

·         Cross references

·         Subject authority control & maintenance

·         MARC codes for s.h’s (bib & authority)

 

 

Assignment 2: introductory chapters of texts; become familiar with online tools; read selected portions of LC subject heading manual; complete classification exercise.

4

2/6

Read Chan, ch. 8; Olson, ch. 1,2,5

Assignment 3: (MARC review, other exercises)

Assignment 3a: cataloging exercise

Assignment 4: consider when you will do your classification/subject presentations

5

2/13

For these 5 weeks we will do assignments 5, 6, 7, 9, & 10.  These assignments cover the different major subject/classification topics, and consist of cataloging exercises and readings specific to those exercises and topical presentations. 

During these weeks we’ll discuss assignment 8, the final cataloging projects.

6

2/20

7

2/27

8

3/6

9

3/13

10

3/27

Critiques and fixes, including Berman, Drabenstott, Olson, and others.

 

We will begin class presentations on 4/3 and continue through 4/24.

During these 3 weeks we’ll do assignments 11, 12, and 13.  They include readings by the authors listed at left, as well as others.  They also give us opportunities to look at authority control and potential solutions to some of the issues raised by these authors. 

11

4/3

12

4/10

13

4/24

Web applications; future prospects.

Final projects DUE in written form, dropbox, by 4/30.                

 

 

Possible representative subjects for class presentations 2/13-3/13.

 

Area

Arts

Humanities

Social sciences

Natural & applied sciences

Literature

Law

Interdisciplinary

“popular” stuff, special topics

Representative subjects

Art

Music

Dance

 

History

Philosophy

Religion

Sociology

Economics

Political science

Education

Math

Computer sci

Biology

Chemistry

Agriculture

Technology

 

Language

Particular literatures (contrast Engl w/ others)

State law, federal law, codes, international law

Ecology

Gender studies

Geographic or ethnic studies

 

Cooking

Household repair

Photography

Trades

Sports

 

 

Proposed schedule for presentations:

 

Date

Discipline(s)

Subject(s)

Presenter(s)

Notes

 

Literature

 

 

We’ll also look at name headings and subdivisions for names here.  For this and the next few sessions we’ll also look at appropriate pattern headings.

 

Humanities

 

 

Here we’ll consider geographic and chronological subdivisions.

 

Arts

 

 

 

 

Social sciences, Sciences

 

 

Here we’ll look at free-floating subdivisions generally.

 

ID and popular