Subject headings for Comparative literature and cultural studies

Determining which subject headings are established for aspects of a topic is an important step in finding relevant materials.

Works about an author

There are two main approaches to searching the catalogue for works about an author:

• keyword and
• subject heading

Keyword searching

To find works about an author and his/her work, including critical and interpretative works, you may use Search. For example:

Using the terms: proust and criticism will lead to records with subject headings such as:

Proust, Marcel, 1871-1922 --Criticism and interpretation.

or to broader headings, such as:

Fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism
Aesthetics, Modern -- 20th century
German literature -- History and criticism
Symbolism in literature etc.

Subject heading searching

Use Advanced search and select Browse subjects then enter the author's last name and first name (or initial). When browsing the entries for prolific authors, a range of subheadings will display, for example: searching for Benjamin W will find numerous headings including:

Benjamin, Walter, 1982-1940
Benjamin, Walter, 1982-1940, Aesthetics
Benjamin, Walter, 1982-1940, Appreciation Europe
Benjamin, Walter, 1982-1940, Bibliography
Benjamin, Walter, 1982-1940, Contributions in philosophy of history etc.

Browsing for other subject terms (literary concepts / movements, genres, genres / periods)

If you are unsure of correct subject terms, begin with a keyword search. For example:

Search latin america and postmodernism
this will lead you to headings such as: Postmodernism -- Latin America

Other examples:

• landscape in literature
• Literature - History and criticism
• Literature, Comparative
• Modernism (Literature)
• Postmodernism (Literature)