Dominican University
Graduate School of Library and Information Science

Last  updated May14, 2009

LIS 731                                                                                                                                                        G. Koh
LC Subject Analysis                                                                                                                                                                 Summer 2009

Gertrude S. Koh
Office: Crown 324
E-Mail: kohgsl@dom.edu
Phone: (708) 524-6867
http://domin.dom.edu/faculty/kohgsl/index.htm

This syllabus is subject to modification.  
This syllabus is to be used for reference purposes only; consult your instructor for any changes or updates!


Catalog Description of the Course:

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.

Prerequisite: 703
 

Course Schedule:    Note: No class on Memorial Day, Monday May 25.

Unit #

Class Date

Class Topic

Assignments/Exams

I, II

May 14

Introduction: classification concepts and theory of library classification

Concepts of pre-/ post-coordination and controlled/ natural language

 

III, IV

May 15

Introduction to LCSH and SCM: SH

LCSH:  Introductory examination and analysis

Select Project Topic

II

May 18 Week

Historical backgrounds and general structure of LCC; Classes A and L

 

III

Introduction to LCSH and SCM: SH

LCSH:  Introductory examination and analysis

 

IV

May 25 Week

Purpose and nature of a subject authority file: Geographic names and features

June 1 Week

Class Z:  Challenges for relating classification with subject headings

Intensive experience in the relationship between subject headings and classification:  classes C, D and E‑F

Project 1 DUE

Comparison projects

Take-Home Exam

V

June 8 Week

Class H

Subject authority file

Local subject authority control

Tentative Mid-Term Exam

Further applications of subject headings and classification

MARC authorities:  subject headings and classification

Research on classification theory, focusing on comparative features on another major system

 

VI

June 15 Week

Small Group Work:  G, K, J, M, N, and other classes

Small Group Work Presentations

DUE: Small Group Team Project

Presentations and reports

June 15 Week

Further Analysis of Class H

Introduction to Class B

Introduction to Class P

VII

June 22 Week

Small Group Work: Thesaurus construction, Reclassification management, Information Architecture

Small Group Work Presentations

DUE: Small Group Team Project

Presentations and reports

VII

June 22 Week

DUE: Project 2: Comparison of systems

VII

June 29

Presentation of Project 2, Comparison of systems  

 

June 29

FINAL EXAMINATION

DUE: Final Exam

 


Goal:

In-depth study on the theory of subject analysis and concepts behind, as well as the principles in organizing and approaching library materials and information by subject. The focus is on the methods used by the Library of Congress in its subject headings and classification schedules.
 


Objectives:

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand and explain the basic principles of classification theory and the use (if any) of these principles as demonstrated by the Library of Congress classification system and as implied in FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), including FRAD (Functional Requirements for Authority Data) and FRSAR (Functional Requirements for Subject Authority Records).

2. Evaluate and discuss different methods of subject analysis such as full text natural language and controlled vocabulary as exemplified in the Library of Congress Classification Schedules (L.C.C.) and the Library of Congress Subject Heading Lists (L.C.S.H.).

3. Classify "books" by using L.C. classification schedules, as well as to be able to assign subject headings to individual "books" by using the LCSH (L.C. list of subject headings) and to provide MARC tagging in preparation for online input.

4. Compare and contrast the Library of Congress classification system, including its subject headings, with other significant classification systems so that the question of reclassification is appropriately evaluated.

5. Analyze problems of L.C.S.H. and L.C.C. and explain the procedures, methods and techniques necessary for the integrity of the classification and maintenance of the database.
 
 


Course Outline:

I. Introduction to Course Content and Procedures.

A.  Class Meetings

B.  Role of the Instructor and of the Students

C.  Requirements Expected

II. General Concepts of Classification.

A.  Definitions and Purposes

B.  Prerequisites

C.  Structural Arrangements

III. Introduction to Classification Theory.

A.  General Classification

B.  Library Classification and Its Components

C.  Types of Library Classification

D.  Purposes of Library Classification, Including Classification as a Search Tool

E. FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), including FRAD (Functional Requirements for Authority Data) and FRSAR (Functional Requirements for Subject Authority Records)

IV. Historical Backgrounds and General Structure of Library of Congress Classification System.

A.  Historical Backgrounds for LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings) and SCM: SH (Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings)

B.  Historical Backgrounds for LCC (Library of Congress Classification)

C.  Subject Analysis/Access vs. Shelf Browsing vs. Marking & Parking Location

D.  Trends in Subject Analysis and Access

          E.  Natural Language and Controlled Vocabulary

          F.  Pre-coordination and Post-coordination

V. General characteristics of the LCC (Library of Congress classification) schedules.

A.  Principles of Organization

B.  Methods

C.  Techniques

VI. General Characteristics of the LCSH (Library of Congress subject headings) Lists.

A.  Purpose and Method

          B.  Linguistic Analysis and Theory of Subject Headings

          C.  Thesaurus Construction: Principles and Theory

          D.  Thesaurus Use and Information Services

E.  Relationship of Verbal Vocabulary to Classification

VII. Intensive Experience in the Use of Library of Congress Classification Systems, Including the LCSH and SCM: SH.

          A.  Applications of LCSH and of LCC, with examples in various subjects and disciplines.

          B.  Understanding of MARC formats (bibliographic, subject and classification) in relation to automatic indexing and user searching

          C.  Study the Use of LCSH and of LCC in various catalogs and other tools, including OPACs (Online Public Access catalogs)

VIII. Comparative Study of the Library of Congress Classification System and Other Significant Classification Systems.

          A.  Investigation and Discussion of Special Topics, with a Focus on Research Models

          B.  Investigation and Discussion of Subject Access for Particular User Groups

          C.  Investigation and Discussion of DDC vs. LCC, Including Classification on Internet 

          D.  Investigation and Discussion of Reclassification Issues

          E.  Investigation and Discussion of Merging of LCSH with another system such as MeSH


Course Organization, Requirements Expected and Grading: 

Course Design:

The course will begin with two full days face-to-face meetings on the Dominican campus.  Lectures, discussions and demonstrations of necessary tools will be provided in class.  The remainder of the class will be conducted fully online, using Blackboard course management software.

 

Content includes LC Classification and Subject Headings, principles and applications, the exercises, readings relevant to subject analysis issues and theory, and class discussion forums.  Detailed assignments and instructions are posted on the Blackboard site. 

 

The course is divided into seven Sessions on Blackboard.  Students should move through the Sessions sequentially, finishing the Exercise, Readings, and Blackboard activity for each before proceeding to the next.  A number of Discussion Forms will stay active throughout the term.  Small groups will be assigned as Forum leaders and will be responsible for posting relevant questions based on the readings as well as continuing to lead the discussion throughout the term.

 

Discussion board posts should be carefully proofread before posting (you may want to write in a word processing program first and then cut and paste them into a dialog box).  Refer to Grading Rubrics (posted in the Blackboard Course Documents folder) for information about assignment evaluations.

 

Blackboard support documents are posted at http://domin.dom.edu/documents/blackboardstu.htm

 

For minimum system recommendations, see http://domin.dom.edu/Intranet/infotech_files/Minimum%20System%20Recommendations.pdf

 

Students are expected to attend class, especially the initial two days, read the assigned readings, participate in class discussions on the Blackboard class electronic discussion forums, complete exercise problems and assignments, and participate actively in presentations (both individual and team).  Students are responsible for using the resources of the GSLIS and the university to learn how to use IShare and other public retrieval systems at the Dominican University library, electronic mail, Blackboard discussion forums, and WorldCat via OCLC FirstSearch and Connexion services.

 

Student Output and Grading:

 

Evaluation of student work is as follows:

 

            20%     Blackboard discussions and Exercises

            20%     Project 1. Controlled vocabulary and post-coordination

            20%     Project 2. Classification comparison

            20%     Group projects (Group Work 1 and Group Work 2)

            20%     Examinations (Exam 1 and Exam 2)

 

All due dates are posted with the Course Sessions.  Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval of the instructor and will receive points off in proportion to the original due date.  Note that the Quizzes are unavailable beyond the posted due date.

 

Grading

A                                 94-100%

A-                                90-93%

B+                               86-89%

B                                 82-85%

B-                                78-81%

C+                               74-77%

C                                 70-73%

C-                                65-69%

D                                 60-64%

F                                  0-59%

 

See also the GSLIS Grading Policy as distributed in class and as posted on Blackboard.


Textbooks:

(Required are all in bold.)

Chan, Lois Mai.   A Guide to the Library of Congress Classification. 5th ed. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1999. Or, the latest edition.

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

Mann, Thomas. The Oxford Guide to Library Research. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.

Rosenfeld, Louis and Peter Morville.  Information Architecture for the World Wide Web.  3rd ed.  O’Reilly, c2007.

ANSI/NISO Z39.19-2005.  Guidelines for the Construction, Format and Management of Monolingual Thesauri.  4th ed. Bethesda, MD:  NISO Press, 2005.  (Accessed 5/09/08). <http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/resources/html/help/Z39-19-2005.pdf>

Mann, Thomas. Library Research Models: A Guide to Classification, Cataloging, and Computers. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Hunter, Eric J.  Classification Made Simple.  Aldershot, Eng.: Ashgate, 2002.

Foskett, A. C. The Subject Approach to Information. 5th ed. London: Library Association, c1996.

Marcella, Rita and Maltby, Arthur, ed.  The Future of Classification.   Aldershot, Eng.; Brookfield, Vt.:  Gower, c2000.

Olson, Hope A.  Subject Analysis in Online Catalogs.  Englewood, Colo.:  Libraries Unlimited, 2001.  

Schwartz, Candy.  Sorting Out the Web:  Approaches to Subject Access.  Westport, Conn.:  Ablex Publishing, 2001.

Thomas, Alan R., ed. Classification: Options and Opportunities. New York: Haworth Press, 1995.

Library of Congress. Cataloger's Desktop. Washington, DC: LC Cataloging Distribution Service, 1994- . Windows version, 1995- . Quarterly, fully cumulated issues.  [Web version http://desktop.loc.gov]

Library of Congress.  Classification Web, (or Class Web), 2002-   http://classweb.loc.gov/ (Previously, Classification Plus.  Windows version.  1996-2002.  Quarterly, fully cumulated issues.)

Understanding FRBR : what it is and how it will affect our retrieval tools / edited by Arlene G. Taylor. Libraries Unlimited, 2007. ISBN: 9781591585091 (alk. paper); 1591585090 (alk. paper)

 

Maxwell, Robert L. FRBR : a guide for the perplexed. Chicago, American Library Association, 2008. ISBN: 9780838909508 (alk. paper); 0838909507 (alk. paper)

 

Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records: Final Report. IFLA Study Group on the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records. München: K.G. Saur, 1998.

Available on the IFLA web site at: http://www.ifla.org/VII/s13/frbr/frbr.pdf

 

Functional Requirements for Authority Data: A Conceptual Model. IFLA UBCIM Working Group on Functional Requirements and Numbering of Authority Records. (FRANAR). Draft 2007-04-01. Available on the IFLA web site at: http://www.ifla.org/VII/d4/FRANAR-ConceptualModel-2ndReview.pdf

 


Internet Sources

Banerjee, Kyle. The Cataloging Calculator --

http://calculate.alptown.com/

Beyond Bookmarks: Schemes for Organizing the Web --

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~CYBERSTACKS/CTW.htm

Koch, Traugott. (1999)  The role of classification schemes in Internet resource description and discovery. Work Package 3 of Telematics for Research project DESIRE (RE 1004)

http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/metadata/desire/classification/

Kunz, M. (2002). Sachliche Suche in verteilten Ressourcen: ein kurzer Überblick über neuere Entwicklungen  [Subject retrieval in distributed resources: a short review of recent developments] Paper presented at 68th IFLA Council and General Conference, Aug. 18-24, 2002, Glasgow, UK.

            http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla68/papers/007-122g.pdf   

            http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla68/papers/007-122e.pdf [English translation]

Doerr, M. (2001). Semantic problems of thesaurus mapping. Journal of Digital information, 1 (8).

 http://jodi.tamu.edu/Articles/v01/i08/Doerr/

”Bicentennial Conference on Bibliographic Control for the New Millennium: Confronting Challenges for Networked Resources and the Web,” (2000) sponsored by the Library of Congress Cataloguing Directorate – held Nov. 15-17, 2000.

http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/bibcontrol/

MAchine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) --

http://www.loc.gov/marc

http://www.loc.gov/marc/classification/ (MARC21 classification)

http://www.itsmarc.com/crs/clas0001.htm (Cataloger's Reference Shelf by Library Corporation)

Library of Congress Cataloging Directorate WWW Home Page --

http://www.loc.gov/catdir/catdir.html

Library of Congress – Cataloging and Acquisitions Home Page –

             http://www.loc.gov/aba/

Library of Congress - Classification Web, or Class Web

              http://classweb.loc.gov/      http://classweb.loc.gov/Auto/

LC Subject Headings Weekly List

                    CPSO Web site: http://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/weeklylists/

LC Classification Weekly List

                    CPSO Web site: http://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/classification/weeklylists/

LC Classification Outline

                    http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco.html

Library of Congress Classification Schedules

                    http://www.loc.gov/cds/classif.html

Library of Congress Thesauri website

                    http://www.loc.gov/lexico/servlet/lexico/tgm1/brsearch.html


LC Cataloging Newsline --

http://www.loc.gov/catdir/lccn/lccn.html

Program for Cooperative Cataloging –

                        http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/

 

OCLC   --   http://www.oclc.org/
 

Consult: The Searching WorldCat Quick Reference (in both HTML and PDF formats) at:  http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/searching/refcard/

          Searching for WorldCat User Guide;

Connexion: Searching WorldCat Quick Reference;

Bibliographic Formats and Standards;

Authorities Quick Reference;

Authorities User Guide;

Authority Record Format;

Dublin Core Metadata Element Set;

CONNEXION (formerly, CORC);

CORC (Cooperative Online Resources Catalog) Users Group Homepage;

Dewey Decimal Classification;

OCLC Research;

Dublin Core Metadata Initiative Home Page.


International Federation of Library Associations. Cataloging and Indexing of Electronic Resources.

http://www.ifla.org

 
Technical Services and Cataloging Departments of other libraries list various useful tools for subject catalogers and classifiers.
 

Some examples are Morton Grove Public Library, Chicago Public Library and libraries of Colby College, University of Michigan, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Northwestern University.

Northwestern University Library. Authority records for form/genre headings, gsafd
                    http://www.library.northwestern.edu/public/gsafd/gsafd.mrc.txt

Memorial University of Newfoundland. Queen Elizabeth II Library. “Cataloger's Toolbox”
http://staff.library.mun.ca/staff/toolbox/index.html

Princeton University Library's Cataloging Documentation. Catalog Division Documentation
http://library.princeton.edu/departments/tsd/katmandu/catman.html

TPOT: Cataloging--Subject analysis and classification
http://tpot.ucsd.edu/Cataloging/subj.html

 

Resources in Specific Subject Areas --
 

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/libraries/inside/projects/metadata/classify/
at Columbia University Libraries' internal page for metadata projects.

http://library.stritch.edu/web/web.htm for Internet Resources at Cardinal Stritch University Library

http://vlib.org/Overview.html at WWW Virtual Library

http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/index.html (the modified LCC classificatory arrangement at at the Internet Scout Project's Signpost for the advancement of resource discovery on the Internet) 
 

General Resources for Knowledge Organization --
 

o    The DMOZ directory:

Reference: Knowledge Management: Knowledge Retrieval: Classification

o    Bella Haas Weinberg, "Complexity In Indexing Systems -- Abandonment And Failure: Implications For Organizing The Internet" (http://www.asis.org/annual-96/ElectronicProceedings/weinberg.html)

·         http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/reference_and_subject_resources/subject_oriented_directories3810.cfm Subject oriented directories available at HERO (Higher Education & Research Opportunities in the UK)

·         http://www.biblio.tu-bs.de/db/lcsh/ (LCSH Browser)

·         http://www.blissclassification.org.uk/ (Bliss Classification)

·         http://www.nlm.nih.gov/class//  (National Library of Medicine)

·         http://www.nlm.nih.gov/tsd/cataloging/subjclasspolicy.html (NLM Policy on Subject Analysis and Classification)

·         http://www.udcc.org/ (Universal Decimal Classification Consortium)

·         http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/classwebtutorial/1intro.html (LC Classification Web demo site)

·         http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/ (Internet Resources for Cataloging by Vianne Tang Sha)

·         http://www.itcompany.com/inforetriever/cat_subj.htm (Subject Cataloging and Classification)

 

Updated 05/14/2009