Libraries
use what we call “Subject Headings” to help classify (i.e. categorize)
resources. When you are using Countess,
our library’s online catalogue (or using
any library’s catalogue for that matter), take notice of the subject headings being
used for your topic. Like most
libraries, we use Library of Congress (LC) subject headings. These can help you narrow or broaden your
topic to find resources more relevant to your research. Below is a sampling of the LC subject
headings used for the Vietnam War (notice that the word “Conflict” is sometimes
used rather than “War” … this is a subtle but important distinction that in
itself could serve as a research topic) and for author Tim O’Brien and his work.
Vietnamese Conflict,1961-1975
Vietnam War,1961-1975
Subject
Headings that can help Narrow your research:
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Literature and the war.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Moral and ethical aspects
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Public opinion.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--African Americans.
Vietnamese Conflict,--1961-1975--Art and the conflict.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Atrocities.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Campaigns--Fiction.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Destruction and
pillage--Vietnam--Quang Tin.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Draft
resisters--United States.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Economic
aspects--United States.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Literature and the
conflict.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Motion pictures and
the conflict.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Journalists.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Music and the conflict.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Personal narratives,
American.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Personal narratives,
North Vietnamese.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Personal narratives,
Viet Cong.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Poetry.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Protest
movements--United States.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Social aspects.
Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975—Women—Interviews.
Khe Sanh, Battle of, Vietnam, 1968--Fiction.
My Lai Massacre, Vietnam, 1968
O'Brien, Tim, 1946- Things they carried.
Subject
Headings that can help Broaden your research:
Conscientious objectors--Drama.
Freedom of speech--United States--History.
Military art and science--United States--History--20th
century.
Music--Social aspects.
Popular music--United States--1961-1970--History and
criticism.
Popular music--United States--1971-1980--History and
criticism.
Male friendship--Drama.
Masculinity--United States--History--20th century.
Patriarchy--United States--History--20th century.
Sex role--United States--History--20th century.
United States--Economic conditions--1961-1971.
United States. Marine Corps--Fiction.
United States--Military policy.
United States--Military relations.
Veterans--Religious life--United States.
Veterans--United States--Political
activity--History--20th century.
War--Religious aspects--Christianity.
War films--United States--History and criticism.
War stories, American--History and criticism.