Search Strategies: Subject Headings and Key Word Searching

Africana Studies terms: The Library of Congress uses the subject heading "Afro-American" (as an adjective) or Afro-Americans not Black Americans or African Americans. "Blacks" as a subject heading is used to describe works on blacks as an element of the population; "Black race" is used to describe works from an anthropological point of view. Other related Library of Congress subject headings include:
 
  • Afro-Americans--Race Identity
  • Civil Rights--United States
  • Afro-Americans--Bibliography
  • Colonies or Colonialism or Nationalism
  • Afro-American Women Artists
  • Developing Countries - Colonial Influence
  • Afro-Americans � Sources
  • Imperialism or
  • Anti-imperialist Movements
  • Afro-Americans in Mass Media
  • Race Discrimination or Racism
  • Afro-Americans--History
  • School Integration--United States
  • Afro-American Women--Social Conditions
  • Slavery--United States
  • Black Power--United States
  • United States--Race Relations--History
  • Blacks [in combination with United States]
  • Women--Africa--Bibliography
  • Blacks in Literature
  • Women in Politics--Africa
  • Indigenous peoples -- South Africa
  • Urban ecology -- Africa
  • Sustainable development -- Africa
  • HIV (Viruses) -- Africa
  • Environmental policy -- Africa
  • AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Africa
  • Agriculture and state -- Africa
  • AIDS (Disease) -- Africa -- Prevention
  • Urbanization -- Environmental aspects - Africa

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    To find resources in Gay and Lesbian Studies, one may need to search several different Library of Congress Subject Headings. LC headings are used in most academic libraries. Gathering a list of useful headings can save you time when searching other collections, national catalogs or journal indexes. Please ask the librarian to show you how to access collections not held at the SUNY-Albany library.

     It is very important to note that in addition to LC headings, you may also have to search the catalog for key words if the Library of Congress categories do not capture your research focus. For example, if you type "Queer Studies" under Subject in the Advance Catalog, you will find zero results. However, if you type "queer studies" under title keyword or general keyword, you will find several relevant items.

    **Videorecordings and other interactive media can also be found using these headings. It is possible to limit ADVANCE to interactive media only. Please consult staff at Reference or IMC for assistance.

     Library of Congress Headings:
     

  • Bisexuality
  • Coming out (sexual orientation)
  • Gender
  • Gender Identity
  • Heterosexism
  • Homophobia
  • Homosexuality
  • Homosexuality in literature
  • Gay and Lesbian Studies
  • Gay Liberation Movement
  • Gay Men--Law and Legislation
  • Gay Rights
  • Gays--Medical Care
  • Gays' Writing
  • Lesbian
  • Lesbianism�Political Aspects
  • Lesbian communities
  • Lesbian couples
  • Lesbian mothers
  • Lesbian youth
  • Lesbians�Legal Status, laws etc.
  • Lesbians--Medical Care
  • Lesbians' Writing
  • Outing(sexual orientation)
  • Sexual Ethics
  • Social Work with Lesbians
  • Transsexualism

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    KEYWORD SEARCHING - Many databases have a keywording option. This means that you will probably retrieve more results. Also, if you do not know specific subject headings, keywords can be searched throughout the record or the full-text article. These options vary depending on the database. Please consult with Reference librarians, especially if you have difficulty retrieving results.