LIS 417: Subject Cataloging and Classification
Calendar

Date Week No. Module 
Unit Topics Activities Assignments Due
Date
Time
To Complete
%
of Grade
Assignment Mode
Jan 16 1

Module 1: Subject Access & Aboutness

1-1: Introduction Introduction to the course; Cataloging overview; and Subject access systems Lecture; Syllabus review; Assignments overview Participation and Attendance On-going 1 semester 10% Individual

Jan 24

2   1-2: Exploring Aboutness 

 Theories, approaches, considerations, and models; Vocabulary control review

Before class, please watch: LCSH Online Training Unit 1 Duration: 1:15 (i.e., 1 hour, 15 min.)

Assignment discussion; Lecture; Q&A/Discussion; Exercises

Aboutness Assignment

Feb 06

2 weeks

15%

Individual

Jan 30 3

Module 2: Library of Congress Subject Headings

2-1: Intro to LCSH and its SHM

Structure and purpose of LCSH; Subject Headings Manual

Before class, please watch:LCSH Online Training Units 2 & 3 Duration: 2:31

Aboutness board review and discussion; Online lectures review; Q&A/Discussion    
Feb 06 4   2-2: Main Headings; MARC for Subjects

Types of Headings; MARC bibliographic format; MARC authorities format;

Before class, please watch:LCSH Online Training Modules 4.1 to 4.5, 4.7 to 4.9, and 8.1 Duration: 2:45

Assignment discussion; Aboutness statements finalized; Online lectures review; Lecture; Q&A/Discussion; Exercises Assigning Headings, Part 1: Preliminary Headings Feb 27  3 weeks 10%   Paired
Feb 13 5   2-3: Assigning Headings; Intro to Subdivisions; Additional Vocabularies 

Choosing headings; What are subdivisions?; What other vocabularies might we use? 

Before class, please watch:LCSH Online Training Unit 5 & 6.1-6.5 Duration: 2:05

Lecture; Q&A/Discussion; Exercises          
Feb 20 6   2-4: The Subdivision Extravaganza 

Using subdivisions; Types of subdivisions; Benefits and pitfalls; Geographic subdivisions; Chronological and Form subdivisions

Before class, please watch: LCSH Online Training Modules 6.6-6.18 Duration: 3:37 

Q&A/Discussion; Exercises; Lecture; Q&A/discussion;          
Feb 27 7

 

2-5: Putting It Together   

Applying what's been learned; Evaluating subject headings

Before class, please watch: LCSH Online Training Unit 7 Duration: 2:22

Assignment discussion; Exercise! Assigning Headings, Part 2, Complete Coded Strings   Mar 26 4 weeks 25% Group
Mar 05 8   SPRING BREAK Time to read about classification and finish left-over videos!!            
Mar 12 9 Module 3: Dewey Decimal Classification 3-1: Intro to DDC

History, foundations, principles, and structure; Decision making

Lecture; Exercises            
Mar 19 10

 

3-2: Introduction to DDC   Continuation of previous week; Number building; MARC; Shelflisting/Cuttering  Lecture; Exercises             
Mar 26 11   3-3: DDC Exercises Continuation of previous week Assignment discussion; Exercises
Apr 02 12   3-4: Putting It Together  Creating complete DDC call numbers DDC Packet exercise review and discussion Assigning DDC Call Numbers April 16 2 weeks  20%  Paired
Apr 09 13 Module 4: Library of Congress Classification  4-1: Intro to LCC History, foundations, principles, and structure; MARC; Complex number building; Classification and Shelflisting Manual; Shelflisting/Cuttering  Lecture; Take-home exercises          

Apr 16

14   No Class!              
Apr 23 15   4-2: LCC Exercises LCC Exercises Assignment discussion; Exercises

Assigning LCC Call Numbers & Final Cataloging Problem

May 07 2 weeks 20% Paired or Individual
Apr 30 16   4-3: Putting It Together Creating complete LCC call numbers LCC Packet exercise review and discussion  
May 07     No Class     Final Assignment is Due!

An invitation to subscribe to the course calendar will be sent to your Simmons email in the first week of class. This will add the units and the assignment distribution/due dates to your Google calendar.

Back to the Syllabus