What subject headings are assigned to books on sociology or that have a sociological slant to a topic?
There are a number of Library of Congress subject headings and subdivisions used to bring out the sociological aspects of topics.
First, the subject heading “Sociology” is available. This heading is used for books on sociology as a branch of learning. The heading may be divided geographically for works on this branch of learning in a specific place.
Example: Title: Sociology in Europe : a new science emerges. Sociology – Europe
Works on the social conditions of particular regions, countries, cities, etc., are entered under the name of the place subdivided by “Social conditions.”
- Example:
- Title: Spain , change and modernization.
- Spain – Social conditions
The subdivision “Sociological aspects” can be used under types of institutions for works on the impact of the inherent nature of the institution in question on group interaction within the institution and vice versa. This subdivision is also established under a number of topics, for example:
- Authorship – Sociological aspects
- Crime – Sociological aspects
- Dance – Sociological aspects
- Economics – Sociological aspects
- Women – Sociological aspects
There are also a number of headings of the type “[Topic] and society” or “[Topic] and sociology.” For example:
- Art and society
- Communism and society
- Literature and society
- Religion and sociology
Finally, the most widely used sociological subject heading is actually a subdivision. The subject subdivision “Social aspects” can be used as a subdivision under topical headings for works on the effect of the item, activity, discipline, etc., and society on each other. This subdivision does not need to be established under each topic (as “Sociological aspects” does) so it is used much more freely in most library catalogs.
- Example:
- Title: Drug abuse and society.
- Drug abuse – Social aspects
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