Library of Congress Subject Headings
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) impose a controlled vocabulary as a means to organize information. By using these subject headings strategically in your searching, you will find it easier to locate the most appropriate and relevant sources for your research.
Search Terms
As you begin thinking about your topic and crafting a research question, write down any key words or phrases that encounter in your preliminary searching. These will prove useful when you start searching in online databases.
Possible keywords you can use to find primary sources include: Sources, Personal Narratives, Diaries, Correspondence, Documentaries, Interview(s), Letters OR Testimony.
Below are some suggested subject headings and search terms for each topic assigned in this class. Note that there will most likely be additional terms to consider as you progress through the research process.
Subject Headings
Use these Library of Congress (LOC) Subject Headings to search for sources in online library catalogs.
Japanese Americans -- Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945.
Japanese Americans -- Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945 -- Personal narratives.
Search Terms
Use these suggested search terms for searching in online databases. (Hint: there may be more that you discover as you research).
"Japanese Americans"
"World War Two"
relocation
reparations
"civil liberties"
detention
discrimination
Subject Headings
Use these Library of Congress (LOC) Subject Headings to search for sources in online library catalogs.
Chicano Movement.
Mexican Americans.
Hispanic Americans.
Search Terms
Use these suggested search terms for searching in online databases. (Hint: there may be more that you discover as you research).
Chicano*
"Mexican Americans"
Latino/Latina/Latinx
Xicano/Xicana
identity
"civil rights"
assimilation
Hispanic
Subject Headings
Use these Library of Congress (LOC) Subject Headings to search for sources in online library catalogs.
Civil Rights -- African Americans.
Civil Rights -- United States.
Civil rights movements -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
Search Terms
"racial discrimination"
segregation
"Civil Rights Act"
"civil disobedience"
equality
freedom
"voting rights"
policy
Subject Headings
Use these Library of Congress (LOC) Subject Headings to search for sources in online library catalogs.
Black Power -- United States
Black Nationalism -- United States
Search Terms
Use these suggested search terms for searching in online databases. (Hint: there may be more that you discover as you research).
"Black Power Movement"
activism
"black solidarity"
"equal rights"
politics
"Black Panther Party"
racism
"civil rights"
Subject Headings
Use these Library of Congress (LOC) Subject Headings to search for sources in online library catalogs.
Indians of North America -- United States.
Indians of North America – Civil Rights.
Indians, Treatment of -- United States.
Search Terms
Use these suggested search terms for searching in online databases. (Hint: there may be more that you discover as you research).
"Native Americans"
"American Indians"
"native tribes"
reservations
"civil liberties"
nationhood
representation
Black Lives Matter
Subject Headings
Black lives matter movement.
African Americans -- Civil rights.
Search Terms
“Black Lives Matter”
“racial profiling”
policing
“law enforcement”
protests
activism
Mass Incarceration
Subject Headings
Imprisonment -- United States.
Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States.
Search Terms
“mass incarceration”
imprisonment
convictions
recidivism
“drug laws”
legislation
Criminalization of Immigration
Subject Headings
United States -- Emigration and immigration -- Government policy.
Immigration enforcement -- United States.
Search Terms
“war on terror”
“Patriot Act”
“border security”
immigrants
detention
naturalization
Anti-Muslim Hate
Subject Headings
Islam -- Public opinion.
Islamophobia.
Search Terms
Islamophobia
“hate crimes”
“domestic terrorism”
discrimination
religion
stereotypes
Civil Human Rights
Subject Headings
Human Rights.
Search Terms
Citizenship
Life
Freedom
“free will”
Oppression
Education