025.431: The Dewey blog

New Provisions for Islamic Law in WebDewey

New provisions for Islamic law have been published in WebDewey--also changes to a few topics that came to our attention because of our work on Islamic law, especially religious activities and religious groups in 341 Law of nations and 342 Constitutional law. The changes for Islamic law involve primarily expansion at 340.59 Islamic law and clarification of previous DDC 23 structures elsewhere, plus optional provisions for specifying schools of Islamic law.  These new provisions have been under discussion since last summer. For previous discussion, see these blog entries and the Dewey discussion page.  For details, see Updates to DDC 23.

One example of a work previously classed in 340.59 Islamic law that could now be classed in a more specific number is Contemporary Ijtihad: Limits and Controversies; it could now be classed in 340.59138 Ijtihad (sound judgment), ijtihad al-ra'y (individual reasoning), taqlid (legal conformism; relying upon opinion of another).  Another example of a work that could now be classed in a more specific number is Custom in Islamic Law and Legal Theory: The Development of the Concepts of 'Urf and 'Adah in the Islamic Legal Tradition; it could now be classed in 340.59135 'Urf, 'adat (Custom).

Many works about Islamic law will be classed in the same numbers as previously; new notes are intended to clarify where they should be classed. For example, at 340.59 Islamic law is a see reference: "For a specific branch or topic of Islamic law, see the branch or topic, e.g., private law 346.167, marriage law 346.167016." Islamic law examples are given in the add notes under 346.1 Private law of socioeconomic regions.  An example of a work classed according to these add notes is Family Law in Islam: Divorce, Marriage and Women in the Muslim World.  The work is classed in 346.167015 Islamic law of domestic relations (Islamic family law), built with 346.1 Private law of socioeconomic regions plus 6 from T2--176 Regions where specific religions predominate plus 7 from 297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith, following instructions at T2--1762-1769 Other religions, plus 015 from 346.015 Domestic relations (Family law), following instructions at 346.1:01-09 Topics of private law.  Here is how the number building process looks when the WebDewey number building tool is used:   

The old scope note and class-elsewhere note at T2--1 Areas, regions, places in general; oceans and seas continue to apply: "Not limited by continent, country, locality" and "Class specific continents, countries, localities in T2--3-T2--9."  The parallel class-elsewhere note at 346.1 Private law of socioeconomic regions also continues to apply: "Class socioeconomic regions of a specific jurisdiction or area in 346.3-346.9." Hence Islamic private law in a specific jurisdiction or area continues to be classed with private law of the jurisdiction or area in 346.3-346.9 Private law of specific jurisdictions and areas. An example is Legal Framework for Islamic Banking, Pakistan's Experience, which has the LCSH:

Banking law--Pakistan
Banking law (Islamic law)

That work is classed in 346.5491082 Banking law of Pakistan, built with 346 Private law plus T2--5491 Pakistan, following instructions at 346.3-346.9 Private law of specific jurisdictions and areas, plus 082 from 346.082 Banks (which has the class-here note "Class here banking"), following instructions at 346.3-346.9: 01-09 Topics of private law. Here is how the number building process looks when the WebDewey number building tool is used:

For help with using the WebDewey number building tool, see the WebDewey training modules on the Dewey Training Courses site, especially the Law Number Building module.

WebDewey Number Building Tool: Standard Subdivisions Improvements Now Available

As a previous post explained, the beta version of the WebDewey number building tool typically required use of the Edit Local function to get the correct number of zeros for a standard subdivision when it was on more than one zero.   The newest version of WebDewey is considerably more adept, which we will demonstrate with several examples, each of which explores a different piece of the puzzle. 

Example 1.  First we revisit the number from our previous post.  Until now we would need to invoke the Edit Local function to get this number right, but now the number building tool gets it right on its own.   Repeating from that post:   "Let's use the number-building tool to build 368.11009 for a history of fire insurance.  We start by retrieving our base number 368.11 *Fire insurance and then clicking Start.  Since 368.11 has an add instruction, 'Add as instructed under 368.1–368.8,' that span and its immediate subordinates are displayed in the hierarchy box, and the internal add table under 368.1–368.8 is displayed in the Notes box."

Since the standard subdivision we want to add is not modified under 368.1–368.8, we navigate to T1—09 History, and click Add.  The number building tool now correctly adds the extra zero for us:

Example 2.  This time, let's use the number-building tool to build 368.110065 for fire insurance companies.  We start in the same way by retrieving our base number 368.11 *Fire insurance and then clicking Start.  Notation 0065 Insurance companies from the expansion under 368.1–368.8:006 is not a standard subdivision, however, but is special notation.  (See section 8.4 of the Introduction for further clarification.)  In this case, we navigate to the special notation and click Add, giving us our built number, with the correct number of zeros:

The general principle is to add standard subdivisions by navigating to and adding from Table 1, but to add special notation from expansions under standard subdivisions by navigating to and adding the special notation from the add table where it appears.   Following these general principles will result in incorporating the most appropriate coding for the underlying MARC record.

Example 3.  An exception to the general principle stated above applies if a standard subdivision number or range in an add table has an associated add instruction.  In this case, we need to navigate to the add table notation, not to Table 1.  If we want, for example, to build 224.50046 for apocalyptic passages in the book of Daniel, we begin by retrieving 224.5 Daniel and clicking Start.  The footnote add instruction at 224.5 tells us to add as instructed under 221–229 Specific parts of Bible, Apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, intertestamental works.  We navigate to 001-009 Standard subdivisions in the add table under 221–229 because of the add instruction associated with 001-009. That gets us to this point:

We click Add, then navigate to 220.046 Apocalyptic passages, and click Add.  Our final result is just what we want:

Example 4.  The number building FAQ presents the following question and answer:

Why can't I start with a built number already in the DDC and add further to it?

The number building tool does not support extension to existing built numbers (other than direct addition of notation from Table 1 to the built number). If the number has been built with one step, the number building tool attempts to decompose the number automatically. If you click Start, the base number will appear in the Create-built-number box, and the notation taken away from the built number you started with will be displayed as the suggested addition to the base number in the hierarchy box.

It's possible you may have categorized the behavior described by "If the number has been built with one step, the number building tool attempts to decompose the number automatically" as a shortcut.  Letting the number building tool attempt to decompose numbers automatically can get in the way, however, of  correct addition of standard subdivisions.  Let's say that you want to build 966.9005 Nigeria—serial publications.  Start by going to the record with the add instruction that allows you to build 966.9; that is, first retrieve 930–990 History of specific continents, countries, localities; extraterrestrial worlds and click Start:

Then retrieve / navigate to T2—669 Nigeria and click Add:

Then retrieve / navigate to T1—05 Serial publications and click Add:

Caveat:  We have tried other ways to build this number, but have not found any other that works  (except by invoking the Edit Local function).  

Comprehensive works

A recent blog post on the rule of three ended with an example that depended on the comprehensive number for Minor Prophets.  We quickly realized that we shouldn’t let too much time pass before addressing comprehensive numbers, or alternatively, numbers for comprehensive works.

Section 7.16 of the DDC Introduction explains that "comprehensive works treat a subject from various points of view within a single discipline. Comprehensive works may be stated or implied."   Comprehensive works that are made explicit are, of course, easy to recognize.  When the class-elsewhere note at 005.82 Data encryption reads, "Class comprehensive works on electronic signatures in 005.8" and the class-here note at 006.42 Optical pattern recognition reads "Class here comprehensive works on optical pattern recognition and computer graphics," the presence of a comprehensive works number is uncontroversial.  But how can one recognize an implied comprehensive works number?

See references play a major role in helping the user to identify implied comprehensive works numbers.  As stated in section 7.20 of the Introduction, "see references lead from a stated or implied comprehensive number for a concept to the component (subordinate) parts of that concept in a different notational hierarchy."  For example:

358.17   Guided missile forces

Class here strategic missile forces, nuclear missile forces

Class strategic land missile forces in 358.1754

For air guided missile forces, see 358.42; for naval guided missile forces, see 359.9817

The see references in this entry give evidence that 358.17 Guided missile forces is the comprehensive works number for the subject in the caption.  Specific points of view (that is, of air guided missile forces and of naval guided missile forces) are drawn off to other numbers.  At 358.42 Bombing forces, we find air-to-underwater guided missile forces mentioned in the including note and find air-to-surface guided missile forces and comprehensive works on air guided missile forces mentioned in the class-here note.  A see reference in this entry draws off air-to-air guided missile forces in turn to 358.43 Pursuit and fighter forces.   

If we had a work on guided missile forces in general, it would be classed in 358.17 Guided missile forces.  If, however, we had a work on air-to-surface guided missile forces, air-to-underwater guided missile forces (both 358.42) and air-to-air guided missile forces (358.43), we would use the comprehensive works number for air guided missile forces, i.e., 358.42 Bombing forces.  (We would also choose 358.42 over 358.43 by the first-of-two rule.)

Section 7.20 of the Introduction continues:  "throughout Table 2, see references (often in footnote form) lead from the implied comprehensive number for a jurisdiction, region, or feature to its subordinate parts in other classes."  For example:

T2—496      *Balkan Peninsula

Class here *Danube River

*For a specific part of this jurisdiction, region, or feature, see the part and follow instructions under —4–9

The Danube flows through or borders numerous countries, including Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania.  Class numbers have been designated specifically for the Danube River in Germany, i.e., T2—433 Bavaria (Bayern), and in Austria, i.e., T2—43612 Lower Austria (Niederösterreich).  A work comparing the Danube River in Germany, Austria, and Serbia (T2—4971) should use the comprehensive works number for Danube River and be classed in 949.6 Balkan Peninsula.  

As just seen, numbers for (implicit) comprehensive works are given for many geographic jurisdictions, regions, and features.  Similarly, they are often given for time periods.  For example, at 941.081 Reign of Victoria, 1837–1901, we have the note "Class here 19^th century."  In conjunction with this comprehensive treatment of the 19^th century in the British Isles are also see references for portions of the 19^th century classed elsewhere:  For 1800–1820, see 941.073; for 1820–1830, see 941.074; for 1830–1837, see 941.075 (referencing 941.073 Reign of George III, 1760–1820; 941.074 Reign of George IV, 1820–1830, and 941.075 Reign of William IV, 1830–1837).  What if we have a work on the history of the pre-Victorian reigns from 1800 to 1837?  Should it be classed in 941.081, the comprehensive number for the 19^th century, or should it be classed in 941.07 Period of House of Hanover, 1714–1837?  The answer is 941.07 Period of House of Hanover, 1714–1837, since this number is in the upward hierarchy for all of the relevant time periods and since 941.081 Reign of Victoria, 1837–1901 covers none of that same time.

Numbers for comprehensive works are also given for some combinations of subjects, especially when the comprehensive works number overrides the first-of-two rule.  An example of this situation occurs in conjunction with the number for comprehensive works on midrange and personal computers, 004.16 Personal computers, even though 004.14 Midrange computers comes first.

Statements here about the number that a work should be classed in should be understood to address the assignment of the standard DDC number, captured in the 082 field (Dewey Decimal Classification Number) of the MARC bibliographic record.  Numbers for component parts of the subject that are not chosen as the standard number should be considered for inclusion in the 083 field (Additional Dewey Decimal Classification Number). 

WebDewey Number Building Tool: Correcting the Number of Zeros Used for Standard Subdivisions Using Edit Local

The post introducing the beta version of the new Number Building / User Contribution tool in WebDewey ended with this acknowledgement and promise:  “there are some known gaps in automatic assistance in the initial version that we plan to address in future versions.  In the meantime, we’ve developed some workarounds using Add local and Edit local that we’ll share over the next few days.” 

Add Local and Edit Local address two different circumstances that could theoretically go awry in the number building tool (in reality, most of the circumstances that go awry involve internal add tables):

1. When you have added notation, you may have found that the number of zeros introducing standard subdivision notation is incorrect, or that too many or two few of the digits in the notation that is being added from show up in the number.  If this happens, click the Edit Local button, which appears just below the Add button.
2. You might not be allowed to add notation that you need to add.   In this case, you will have gotten an error message saying “No add instruction found to add this number; consider using Add Local.”  If this happens, click the Add Local button, which will appear just below the Add button (the Edit Local button will have been transformed into an Add Local button).

This post shows you how to use Edit local to correct the number of zeros used for a standard subdivision.  (We may post a demonstration on the use of Add local at a later date, but frankly, the likelihood of your ever needing to use it with current DDC 23 data is slim.)

Let’s use the number-building tool to build 368.11009 for a history of fire insurance.  We start by retrieving our base number 368.11 *Fire insurance and then clicking Start.  Since 368.11 has an add instruction, “Add as instructed under 368.1–368.8,” that span and its immediate subordinates are displayed in the hierarchy box, and the internal add table under 368.1–368.8 is displayed in the Notes box. 

One of the entries in the add table is for 368.1-368.8:007-009 Standard subdivisions.  The FAQ notes:

Right now, the number building tool can only interpret add instructions under spans that feature a specific number to which something is to be added, e.g., “Add to base number 338.47 notation 001-999.”  In the case of standard subdivision spans listed as entries in the schedules and Tables 1-6, you will need to start with the base schedule or table number, and then add the notation from Table 1. 

Since there is no add instruction here and moreover it’s a span, we’ll need to make note of the number of zeros, and then navigate to T1—09 History, and click Add.  We see that the Add operation doesn’t take into account the information conveyed by the standard subdivision entries in the add table under 368.1–368.8, i.e., that standard subdivisions are on two zeros here: 

Can we fix our number?  Yes, by clicking Edit Local.  When we do so, we are immediately confronted by a warning reflecting that the use of Edit Local (and of Add Local) produces numbers that cannot be contributed for review by the Dewey editorial team (and possible inclusion in WebDewey for worldwide use).

Clicking on OK to proceed with Edit Local leads us to this display:

Note first that the history of how our number has been built now shows that T1—09 is being added locally (because it needs to be edited locally, even though it was added initially in the usual way); also a question mark appears by our built number to indicate that the number-building process has used Add Local and/or Edit Local at some point.  Below the components going into our number we find three lines that permit us to alter the notation being added in different ways.  The first, which allows the user to adjust the number of zeros appearing at the beginning of the added notation, is the one we expect to see used most often.  In this case, we need to add one additional zero before the (T1--)09 component.  (Note that this line and the last line refer to the number of zeros that need to be added, not to the number of zeros that need to be present.)  When we click the 1-zero radio button, the notation is adjusted (indeed, the user will see immediately the results of any Edit Local operation):

Since this is the only adjustment we need to make, we can then click OK (or if we wanted to get out of Edit Local without taking any action, we would click the Cancel button next to the OK button):

We are now ready to Save our number.

WebDewey Number Building Tool: Add Instructions and Base Numbers

The training modules for the WebDewey number building tool all begin with a flow chart. The first box in the flow chart has this important instruction:

Find starting number/span with add instruction, else find base number

If you are adding a regular standard subdivision, simply find the record for the base number and click Start in that record. The number building tool will display Table 1 and allow you to add from it. Why?  As the FAQ says, "The basic number building rule in Dewey is that notation from Table 1 may be added to any number unless there is a specific instruction to the contrary."

In every other case, you must find the record with the add instruction that you want to use, and click Start in the record with that add instruction.  The number building tool derives the base number from the add instruction.

Let’s consider some common patterns.  The necessary add instruction may be an add footnote that tells the number building tool to "add as instructed" at another location. With this pattern, the number in the record with the add footnote is interpreted as the base number.  Consider the second example in the social sciences number building module: 333.73616 Conservation of arid lands.  The record for 333.736 *Arid lands has the add footnote: "*Add as instructed under 333.7-333.9."  If you click Start in the record for 333.736 *Arid lands, the number building tool displays the add table at 333.7-333.9 Natural resources and energy.  That add table begins with this instruction: "Except for modifications shown under specific entries, add to each subdivision identified by * as follows:" Because the add footnote leads to the add table, the number building tool allows you to select notation from the add table—in this case 16 Conservation and protection (333.7-333.9:16)—and add it to the base number 333.736 to produce 333.73616 Conservation of arid lands.

What if, instead of clicking Start in the record for 333.736 *Arid lands, you instead tried to begin by clicking Start in the record for 333.7-333.9 Natural resources and energy?  After all, that record has an add instruction: "Except for modifications shown under specific entries, add to each subdivision identified by * as follows:" If you start at 333.7-333.9, however, the number building tool does not know what you want to use for base number.  With this pattern, you must begin with an add footnote attached to the number that you want to use for a base number.

Let’s consider another pattern, in which an add instruction located at a span specifies the base number as part of the add instruction.  Consider the first example in the law number building module: 346.71086 Insurance law of Canada.  To build this number, you must click Start in the record for 346.3-346.9 Private law of specific jurisdictions and areas.  That record has an add instruction that specifies 346 as the base number:  "Add to base number 346 notation T2--3-T2--9 from Table 2, e.g., private law of Australia 346.94, of New South Wales 346.944, of African states 346.6."  The number building tool displays Table 2 and allows you to add T1—71 Canada to build 346.71 Private law of Canada.

What if, instead of clicking Start in the record for 346.3-346.9 Private law of specific jurisdictions and areas, you instead tried to begin by clicking Start in the record for the base number 346 Private law?  Starting with that number, you can add standard subdivisions, including modified standard subdivisions; but there are no instructions in that record to allow you to add notation from Table 2 directly to 346 Private law.  If you want to use the number building tool to build 346.71, you must begin by clicking Start in the record for 346.3-346.9 Private law of specific jurisdictions and areas.

Let’s consider another pattern that can also be illustrated by the first example in the law module: 346.71086 Insurance law of Canada.  Once you have succeeded in building 346.71 Private law of Canada, the number building tool will add to 346.71; you don’t have to go out of your way to specify 346.71 as the base number.  You still must, however, let the number building tool know what add instruction you want to follow next.  In the add table at 346.3-346.9 Private law of specific jurisdictions and areas, you need to click on 01-09 Topics of private law (346.3-346.9:01-09), where the following add instruction is found: "Add the numbers following 346 in 346.01-346.09, e.g., family law of Australia 346.94015, of New South Wales 346.944014, of African states 346.6015, cases involving family law of Australia 346.940150264."  Then you need to click Add to let the number building tool know that you want to follow that add instruction.  Then when you select 346.086 Insurance and click Add, the number building tool will know to build 346.71086.

The First-of-Two Rule

Section 5.7 of the DDC Introduction indicates that a work on two subjects should be classed with the subject receiving fuller treatment.  But what about works in which the two subjects receive equal treatment?  In this case we invoke the first-of-two rule—but only if the rule of application, which takes precedence over other rules, doesn’t apply.  This rule instructs us to class such a work in the number coming first in the DDC schedules. 

Note that the first-of two rule does not instruct us to class the work in the number of the subject coming first in the title of the work.  Such an interpretation would make collocation an issue of whether all works on the two-subjects-treated-equally happened to name them in the same order in the title.  The first-of-two-rule also does not instruct us to class the work in the number of the subject coming first in the alphabet.  This would make collocation an issue of whether all languages name the two subjects so that they stand in a single fixed order.  In contrast, using the schedules as the basis for the first-of-two rule provides a mechanism whereby two-subjects-treated-equally will consistently be classed in the same number.

For example, given the first-of-two rule, works giving equal treatment to 782.26 Motets and 782.294 Psalms should be classed in the first of the two numbers, that is, in 782.26.  And, given the first-of-two rule, works giving equal treatment to 746.422 Knotting and 746.436 Tatting should be classed in the first of the two numbers, that is, in 746.422. 

Of course a work giving equal treatment to knotting and tatting is as relevant to tatting as it is to knotting.  Statements throughout this post about the number that the first-of-two rule instructs us to use should be understood to address the assignment of the standard DDC number, captured in the 082 field (Dewey Decimal Classification Number) of the MARC bibliographic record.  The number not chosen as the standard number should be considered for inclusion in the 083 field (Additional Dewey Decimal Classification Number).  Our work on knotting and tatting might then have the following fields added to its bibliographic record:

082         #4            $a  746.422 $2 23

083         #4            $a  746.436 $2 23

while our work on motets and psalms might have the following fields assigned:

082         #4            $a  782.26 $2 23

083         #4            $a  782.294 $2 23

As we saw in a follow-up post on the rule of application, sometimes the basic rules that govern the assignment of numbers in the DDC are built into its notes.  For example, consider a work on abstracting (025.41 Abstracting) and subject indexing (025.47 Subject indexing and cataloging), which gives the two subjects equal treatment.  By the first-of-two rule, such a work should be classed in the first of the two numbers, that is, in 025.41.  Application of the rule is reinforced in this context by the class-here note at 025.41, which states that comprehensive works on abstracting and subject indexing are to be classed in that number.  Another example can be found at 382.093–382.099 International commerce in specific continents, countries, localities.  Provision is made here for representing commerce between two geographic units by adding Table 2 notation for both of them, separated by an intervening 0.  If the work emphasizes one of the geographic units, its Table 2 notation is given first.  But “if emphasis is equal, give priority to the one coming first in Table 2,” which echoes the first-of-two rule.

Sometimes, however, notes are given that override the first-of-two rule.  Consider, for example, a work giving equal treatment to American literature (which is classed in 810 American literature in English) and British literature (which is classed in 820 English and Old English literatures).  By the first-of-two rule, such a work would be classed in the first of the two numbers, i.e., 810.  But at 810 we find the class-elsewhere note, “Class comprehensive works on American literature in English and English literature in 820.”  Another example arises with works giving equal treatment to historical bibliography, which is found in the class-here note of 002 The book, and analytical bibliography, which is classed in 010.42 Analytical bibliography (Descriptive bibliography).  By the first-of-two rule, such a work would be classed in the first of the two numbers, i.e., 002.  But at 002 we find the class-elsewhere note, “Class comprehensive works on historical and analytical bibliography in 010.42.” 

An exception to the first-of-two rule comes into play when the two subjects are the two major subdivisions of a broader subject, in which case a work giving equal treatment to the two subjects is to be classed in the number for the broader subject of which they are major subdivisions.  For example, a work giving equal treatment to dialectology (417.2) and historical linguistics (417.7) should be classed in 417 Dialectology and historical linguistics (and not in 417.2), because 417.2 and 417.7 are the two major (and indeed, the only) subdivisions of 417. 

Finally, what may seem like a subtle distinction needs to be drawn between treatment of two subjects, to which the first-of-two rule may apply, and two aspects of a single subject, to which preference notes and preference tables apply.  We have seen that classification of a work giving equal treatment to the two subjects, knotting and tatting, is governed by the first-of-two rule.  Consider by way of contrast a work on knotted rugs, a single subject with two aspects.  The one aspect is classed in 746.422 Knotting; the other aspect is classed in 746.7 Rugs.  If the first-of-two-rule applied (but it doesn’t), the work would be classed in 746.422, but the preference table under 746.1–746.9 gives priority to 746.7 Rugs over 746.4 Needlework and handwork.

 

Congratulations, European Union!

"Peace Prize is a slap on the back for a struggling European Union" is the headline for the CNN story about the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012.  Here are excerpts from the press release on the official Nobel site:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 is to be awarded to the European Union (EU). The union and its forerunners have for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.

In the inter-war years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee made several awards to persons who were seeking reconciliation between Germany and France. Since 1945, that reconciliation has become a reality. The dreadful suffering in World War II demonstrated the need for a new Europe. Over a seventy-year period, Germany and France had fought three wars. Today war between Germany and France is unthinkable. This shows how, through well-aimed efforts and by building up mutual confidence, historical enemies can become close partners.
. . . . .

The EU is currently undergoing grave economic difficulties and considerable social unrest. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to focus on what it sees as the EU's most important result: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights. The stabilizing part played by the EU has helped to transform most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace.

The interdisciplinary Dewey number for the European Union is 341.2422 European Union. At that number is a class-here note for forerunners of the European Union: "Class here . . . European Community, European Economic Community."  An example of an interdisciplinary work classed in 341.2422 is Demystifying the European Union: The Enduring Logic of Regional Integration.

At 341.22-341.24 Intergovernmental organizations, in the upward hierarchy for 341.2422, are notes about where to class various aspects of intergovernmental organizations, including a scatter see reference: "For a nonlegal aspect of an intergovernmental organization, see the aspect, e.g., economic aspects of European Union 337.142."  As the example indicates, the see reference has hierarchical force. There are also a few notes at 341.2422 European Union, among them a class-elsewhere note: "Class political integration of European Union member states in 320.94."  An example of a work classed in 320.94 Political situation and conditions in Europe is Europeanization and National Politics (320.94 is built with 320.9 Political situation and conditions plus T2—4 Europe, following instructions at 320.91-320.99 Geographic treatment and biography).  The work has two LCSH: European Union and European Union countries--Politics and government.

Recycling Plastics

Last month Science had a special issue on "Working with Waste" with a general theme of "More Treasure Than Trash":  "Trash is often treasure--a feedstock that can't be overlooked as an expanding world population tries to use resources more efficiently and reduce the strain that our consumption places on natural systems." 

Articles in the special issue discuss many technologies for converting specific kinds of wastes into treasure.  Let’s consider just one. "Recycling of the #5 Polymer" deals with recycling of a specific kind of plastic: "Polypropylene (PP) is a widely used plastic with consumer applications ranging from food packaging to automotive parts, including car battery casings. To differentiate it from other recyclable plastics, it is designated as #5. Here, the factors contributing to PP recycling rates are briefly reviewed. Considerations include collection and separation efficiency, processing chemistry, and market dynamics for the products derived from recyclates." The article has much about technology, though is not strictly limited to it.  Let’s begin with technology.
 
An unsubdivided Relative Index entry "Polypropylene" leads to 668.4234 Polyolefins, where "polypropylenes" are listed in the including note.  An example of a work classed in 668.4234 is Handbook of Polypropylene and Polypropylene Composites.  The work has one chapter on recycling, but covers also many other topics in plastics engineering of polypropylene. 

What about a work limited to recycling technology of polypropylene?  Browsing the Relative Index for "recycling" yields:

Recycling technology         628.4458

At 628.4458 Conversion into useful products are a class-here note and a scatter see-reference note:

Class here recycling technology

For a specific conversion technology, see the technology, e.g., converting garbage into fertilizer 668.6375

In the upward hierarchy of 628.4458 is 628.4 Waste technology, public toilets, street cleaning.  Among the notes in that entry are a standard-subdivisions-are-added note and a scatter see-reference note:

Standard subdivisions are added for waste technology, public toilets, street cleaning together; for waste technology alone

For control and utilization of wastes in a specific technology, see the technology, plus notation T1--0286 from Table 1, e.g., waste technology in fuel processing 662.60286

Browsing the Relative Index for "Waste technology" yields many entries, among them:

Waste technology                 T1--0286
Waste technology                 628.4
. . .
Waste technology--plastics    668.4192

If we consider adding T1--0286 Green technology (Environmental technology) to the main number for plastics technology, 668.4 Plastics, we find the bracketed number: 668[.4028] Auxiliary techniques and procedures; apparatus, equipment, materials with a do-not-use note: "Do not use; class in 668.41."

At 668.41 Techniques, procedures, apparatus, equipment, materials is the class-elsewhere note: "Class application to specific kinds of plastics in 668.42-668.45."  That class-elsewhere note has hierarchical force; consequently, works on a waste technology such as recycling technology with respect to a specific kind of plastic are classed with the kind of plastic in 668.42-668.45 Specific kinds of plastics, not in 668.4192 Waste technology.  Hence a work limited to recycling technology of polypropylene would be classed in 668.4234 Polyolefins.  Since polypropylene is in standing room there, no standard subdivision could be added.

General works on recycling technology of plastics are classed in 668.4192 Waste technology.  Examples are Introduction to Plastics Recycling and Recycling of Plastic Materials.

What about broader works that include social aspects of recycling?  Browsing the Relative Index again for "recycling" yields:

    Recycling waste        363.7282
        see also Waste control

The unsubdivided Relative Index entry for waste control--which signals the interdisciplinary number for waste control--points to the next number up in the hierarchy of 363.7282 Recycling:

Waste control         363.728

Among the notes at 363.728 Wastes is a preference order note:

Unless other instructions are given, class a subject with aspects in two or more subdivisions of 363.728 in the number coming last, e.g., recycling scrap metal 363.7288 (not 363.7282)

Given the preference order, recycling plastics is classed in 363.7288 Specific kinds of wastes (plastics are not mentioned there, but the number has no subdivisions).  Examples of works about recycling plastics classed in 363.7288 are Plastics Recycling Kit and Plastics Recycling: Cradle to Grave.

It should come as no surprise that works on recycling specific materials are classed according to the rule of application: recycling applied to plastics classed with plastics, recycling applied to a specific kind of plastic classed with the kind of plastic, recycling of specific kinds of wastes classed with specific kinds of wastes. (See previous discussion of rule of application.)  Nevertheless, it is still necessary to check the Relative Index and notes to see exactly what DDC numbers should be used.

The Rule of Application

Section 5.7 of the DDC Introduction addresses how to classify a work that includes more than one subject in the same discipline:

5.7   A work may include multiple subjects treated separately or in relation to one another from the viewpoint of a single discipline. Use the following guidelines in determining the best placement for the work:

(A)    Class a work dealing with interrelated subjects with the subject that is being acted upon. This is called the rule of application, and takes precedence over any other rule. For instance, class an analytical work dealing with Shakespeare's influence on Keats with Keats. Similarly, class a work on the influence of the Great Depression on 20th century American art with American art.

Here is introduced the rule of application, a rule that guides the classifier in classifying a work on interrelated subjects in which one subject can be said to act upon the other.  The rule states that such a work should be classed with the subject acted upon.  (The characterization of the rule of application in the Glossary—"The rule instructing that works about the application of one subject to a second subject or the influence of one subject on another subject are classified with the second subject"—indicates that the single discipline context in which the rule of application is presented in the Introduction is not defining/restrictive.)  The Introduction also makes clear that, if multiple rules apply to the classification of a work and one of those rules is the rule of application, it "trumps" (takes precedence over) all other rules.  (In fact, the pre-eminence of the rule of application is the motivation for starting our review of the rules here.)

The rule of application is also mentioned in section 8.12 of the Introduction, where we learn that the table of preference at the beginning of Table 1 is overruled by ("yields to") the rule of application. For example, "by the rule of application, teaching financial management in hospital administration is classed in 362.110681, not 362.11071, even though notation 07 is above notation 068 in the table of preference."  We have three subjects here:  hospitals, financial management, and teaching.  Teaching is applied to financial management, while financial management is applied to hospitals, financial management constituting one aspect of hospital administration.  Since hospitals are the core subject acted upon, we start with 362.11 Hospitals and related institutions.  We then add standard subdivision T1—0681 Organization and financial management because this is the subject element that acts upon hospitals.

Perhaps the most common applications of the rule of application concern the philosophy of a subject or the history of a subject.  Such works are classed in the subject, with standard subdivisions T1—01 Philosophy and theory or T1—09 History, geographic treatment, biography added to express philosophy or history, respectively.  Thus we have 109 for the history of philosophy and 901 for the philosophy of history.  (Imagine if the rule of application were reversed and the philosophy of all subjects was to be classed in the 100s and the history of all subjects in the 900s!) 

Given the rule of application:

• Works on Shakespeare's influence on Keats are classed in the number for Keats (821.7 English poetry—1800–1837) rather than in the number for Shakespeare (822.33 William Shakespeare under 822.3 Drama of Elizabethan period, 1558–1625).
• Works on the use of data mining to support business decisions are classed within business, in a subdivision of 658.4038 Information management ("Class here gathering of information by management or use in managerial decision making; information resources, knowledge management") rather than in 006.312 Data mining, its interdisciplinary home within computer science.  The specific number for data mining to support business decisions is 658.403802856312, built with the base number 658.4038, plus T1—0285 Computer applications, plus the numbers following 00 in 006.312, following the add instruction at T1—0285.
• Works on the chemistry of hydrocarbon combustion are classed in the number for hydrocarbons (547.01 Hydrocarbons) rather than in the number for combustion (541.361 Combustion).  Numbers for specific kinds of compounds identified by component elements allow for addition from the internal add table under 547, where we find 0453–0458 Specific topics of physical chemistry and the add instruction to add to 045 the numbers following 541.3 in 541.33–541.38.  The specific number for the chemistry of hydrocarbon combustion therefore is 547.0104561.
• Works on the fractography of glass are classed in the materials science number for glass (620.144 Glass) rather than in the number for fractography (620.1126 Resistance to fracture (Fracture mechanics)).  Numbers for specific kinds of materials allow for addition from the internal add table under 620.16–620.19, where we find 1–9 Specific properties and nondestructive testing and the add instruction to add the numbers following 620.112 in 620.1121–620.1129.  The specific number for fractography of glass therefore is 620.1446.
• Works on obedience training for retrievers are classed in the number for retrievers (636.7527 Retrievers) rather than in the number for obedience training (636.0887 Pets ["Class here obedience training").  Numbers for specific breeds of dogs allow for addition of notation from the internal add table under 636.1–636.8, where we find 35 Training.  The specific number for obedience training for retrievers therefore is 636.752735.  (The decision to class obedience training for retrievers with retrievers rather than with obedience training is reinforced by the rule of zero, which we will look at later.)

It is not by accident or mere coincidence in the final three examples that provision has been made for building numbers that express the complex subject we were interested in representing.  These reflect a pattern common throughout the DDC in which the rule of application has, in effect, been built into the DDC.  A follow-up post will give further examples of where the rule of application is woven into the schedules.

Proposed expansions and existing DDC 23 provisions for Islamic law in 340 Law

The proposed expansions for Islamic law in 340 Law available for review on the Dewey discussion page (introduced in a previous blog entry) are based on existing DDC 23 structures.  One goal of the proposal is to make the structures more clear by providing more notes and built numbers, in order to reduce misclassification.  Below is a description of the current DDC 23 provisions.

The interdisciplinary number for Islamic law is 340.59 Islamic law, a subdivision of 340.5 Legal systems.  Examples of works classed in 340.59 are An Introduction to Islamic Law and Shari'a: Islamic Law in the Contemporary Context.

At 340.59 Islamic law is a see reference to the comprehensive number for Islamic law relating to religious matters, 297.14 Religious and ceremonial laws and decisions: "For religious and ceremonial law of Islam, fiqh and sharia in relation to religious and ceremonial laws and decisions, see 297.14."  At 297.14 is the class-elsewhere note: "Class Islamic law relating to secular matters, interdisciplinary works on Islamic law in 340.59."

Works on a specific branch or topic in law are classed with the branch or topic, as the class-elsewhere note at 340.5 Legal systems says: "Class a specific subject in specific systems of law with the subject in 341–347, e.g., juristic persons in Islamic law 346.167013, in ancient Roman law 346.37013, in Byzantine law 346.495013, in civil law 346.013."  An example of a work classed according to this pattern is The Islamic Marriage Contract: Case Studies in Islamic Family Law, classed in 346.167016 Islamic law of marriage.  The number is built with 346.1 Private law in socioeconomic regions plus 6 from T2—176 Regions where specific religions predominate, following instruction at 346.1, plus 7 from 297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith, following instruction at T2—1762–1769 Other religions, plus 016 from 346.016 Marriage, partnerships, unions, following instruction at 01–09 Topics of private law in the add table at 346.1.  At 297 is a standard-subdivisions-are-added note that indicates that Islam approximates the whole of 297: "Standard subdivisions are added . . . for Islam alone."

Works on Islamic law of a specific jurisdiction are classed with law of the jurisdiction.  In Table 2 Geographic Areas, from which the notation to build these numbers comes, T2—1 Areas, regions, places in general has the scope note "Not limited by continent, country, locality" and the class-elsewhere note "Class specific continents, countries, localities in T2—3–9."  Notes in the law schedule reflect this pattern; the class-elsewhere note at 346.1 Private law in socioeconomic regions is typical: "Class socioeconomic regions of a specific jurisdiction or area in 346.3–346.9." An example of a work classed according to this pattern is Estate Planning for Muslims.  It focuses on Singapore; the first LCSH is "Inheritance and succession (Islamic law)—Singapore." The work is classed in 346.5957052 Law of inheritance and succession in Singapore, built with 346 Private law plus T2—5957 Singapore, following instruction at 346.3–346.9 Specific jurisdictions and areas, plus 052 from 346.052 Inheritance and succession,  following instruction at 01–09 Topics of private law in the add table at 346.3–346.9.  At 346.052 is the class-here note: "Class here estate planning."

Does the proposed draft meet the goal of making the structures more clear?   Comments on the draft are due September 15.  You may comment directly to this blog entry or follow the alternative instructions given with the draft on the Dewey discussion page.