The New Ecumenism:
Exploration of a DDC/UDC View
of Religion
Ia C. Mcllwaine
University College London
Joan S. Mitchell
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Motivations for Study
• Foster collaboration and interoperability
between DDC and UDC
• Provide a framework for DDC’s 200
Religion schedule that doesn’t privilege
a single religion
200 Religion in DDC
200 Religion
210 Philosophy and theory of religion
220 Bible
230-280 Christianity
290 Other religions
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
200 Religion in DDC (Option A)
200 Religion
210 Philosophy and theory of religion
220 Sources
230-280 Buddhism
290 Other religions
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
298 Bible and Christianity
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
200 Religion in DDC (Option B)
200 Religion
210 Buddhism
220 Bible
230-280 Christianity
290 Other religions
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
200 Religion in DDC (Option C)
200 Religion
210 Philosophy and theory of religion
220 Bible
230-280 Christianity
290 Other religions
291 Buddhism
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
200 Religion in DDC (Option D)
200 Religion
210 Philosophy and theory of religion
220 Bible
230-280 Christianity
290 Other religions
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
298 Buddhism
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
200 Religion in DDC (Option E-1)
200 Religion
210 Philosophy and theory of religion
2B0 Buddhism
220 Bible
230-280 Christianity
290 Other religions
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
200 Religion in DDC (Option E-2)
200 Religion
210 Philosophy and theory of religion
220 Bible
230-280 Christianity
290 Other religions
29B Buddhism
292 Classical religion (Greek and Roman)
293 Germanic religion
294 Religions of Indic origin
295 Zoroastrianism
296 Judaism
297 Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith
299 Religions not provided for elsewhere
Class 2 in UDC
2 Religion. Theology
21 Prehistoric religions
22 Religions of Far East origin
23 Religions originating in Indian subcontinent
24 Buddhism
25 Religions of antiquity. Minor cults and religions
26 Judaism
27 Christianity
28 Islam
29 Modern spiritual movements
Research Question
Can we use UDC’s Class 2 as the
framework for an alternative view of
religion in the DDC and a model for
future revision of 200 Religion?
Project: Stage 1
• Develop top-level crosswalk for major
religions
• Develop detailed crosswalk using
Buddhism as case study
• Use initial findings to plan for Stage 2
DDC View Based on UDC (excerpt)
Taoism (299.514)
Confucianism (299.512)
Hinduism (294.5)
Jainism (294.4)
Sikhism (294.6)
Buddhism (294.3)
Wicca (299.94)
Yoruba (African people)—religion (299.68333)
Voodoo (299.675)
Ras Tafari (299.676)
Bible (220)
Judaism (296)
Christianity (230)
Islam (297)
Scientology (299.936)
Buddhism Case Study 1:
UDC 24 + DDC notation
DDC 294.333 Buddhist mythology = 243.3
+
+
-
Moves to chronological position
Retains DDC number building and
internal/auxiliary tables
Meaningless notation in either system
Retains limited development
Buddhism Case Study 2:
Detailed Mapping
Findings
• Structural differences and
inconsistencies in both systems
• Differences in enumeration/synthesis
• Differences in main religion auxiliary
table
• Differences in common auxiliaries
Project: Stage 2
• Map general religion topics at facet level
Facet Mapping
202.2
Humankind
2-18
Including atonement 2-185.35,
creation of humankind 2-181.5,
repentance 2-185.33,
salvation 2-185.5, sin 2-185.3,
soul 2-183.5
Class here comprehensive works on
karma 2-182
...
Project: Stage 2
•
•
•
•
Map general religion topics at facet level
Map branches, divisions, sects
Test top-level browser
Map Islam at detailed level in
conjunction with UDC expansion and
DDC Arabic translation
Summary and Recommendations
• Framework based on UDC’s Class 2 is feasible
as optional arrangement, browser, and future
structure for 200 Religion in the DDC
• Initial UDC Class 21-29 notation can be used
to reposition corresponding religions in the
DDC
• Mapping topics in religion at the facet level will
result in improvements to DDC and UDC, and
will foster interoperability between the two
systems