Notational representation of subject concepts is examined and presented as additional means for providing subject access to information resources. Topics includes categorization, hierarchical classification, faceted classification, Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Classification, and cuttering.
- Recognize the need for and benefits of classification.
- Describe the nature of classification.
- Identify the structure of classification schemes.
- Explain two major types of classification schemes, including their weaknesses and strengths.
- Describe and compare the basic structural and notational features of DDC and LCC.
- Explain the weaknesses and strengths of DDC and LCC.
- Explain the use of cutter numbers.
- Why do humans categorize?
- How is subject content expressed through notation in bibliographic records?
- How is categorization used in the arrangement of information resources and records?
- What purposes are served by classification schemes?
- How are the major classification schemes organized?
- What are the weaknesses and strengths of the major classification schemes?
Week 1: Introduction
Joudrey, The Organization of Information, Chapter 13
Drabinski, "Teaching the Radical Catalog"
Fox, "The Big Idea: Why Colour is in the Eye of the Beholder"
Week 2: Standards, Issues, and Tools
Joudrey, The Organization of Information, Appendix B
Nunes, "Remembering the Howard University Librarian Who Decolonized the Way Books Were Catalogued"
Petroski, The Book on the Bookshelf, Appendix
Worth, "This Library Takes an Indigenous Approach to Categorizing Books"
- Adler, "Classification Along the Color Lines"
- Adler and Harper, "Race and Ethnicity in Classification Systems"
- Classification Research Group, "The Need for a Faceted Classification"
- Gorman, "The Longer the Number, the Smaller the Spine"
- Howard and Knowlton, "Browsing through Bias: The Library of Congress Classification & Subject Headings for African American Studies and LGBTQIA Studies"
- Joudrey, Introduction to Cataloging & Classification, 11th ed., Chapters 16–20
- Kwasnik, "Changing Perspectives on Classification..."
- Langridge, Classification, p. 1–23
- Library of Congress, LC Classification: Online Training
- Mann, Oxford Guide to Library Research, Chapter 3
- Satija and Kyrios, A Handbook of History, Theory and Practice of the Dewey Decimal Classification
- The Straight Dope column on the DDC
- Beghtol, "Classification Theory"
- Broughton, "Bliss Bibliographic Classification"
- Chan and Hodges, "Library of Congress Classification (LCC)"
- Dextre Clarke, "Knowledge Organization System Standards"
- Foskett, "Facet Analysis [ELIS Classic]"
- Grove, "Taxonomy"
- McIlwaine, "Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)"
- Mitchell and Vizine-Goetz, "Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)"
- Olson, "Social Influences on Classification"
- Pepper, "Topic Maps"
- Satija and Singh, "Colon Classification"