Subject classification exercise: part 2
First, complete the task begun last week.
In the groups you were in last week, define a subject by choosing a subset of 30-40 from the following list
of sort-of related concepts. (Each group also has a set of index cards to manipulate as well.)
For example, you might select a set of concepts to represent “sustainable gardening in central Texas” or
“garden design for beginners” or “home garden activities” or “gardening for food”—whatever you see
emerging from the larger list of gardening concepts. If your subject idea requires additional concepts that
are not represented in the list, feel free to make the necessary additions; I have extra index cards and pens.
You should be able to explain:
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
Your group’s definition of the subject area you’ve selected.
How the concepts you’ve chosen to constitute the subject express that definition.
There is no correct answer here; think about this task as making a case, or creating an argument, for a
particular subject definition. For example, you might define “lifestyle gardening” as planning and enjoying
one’s garden, but not performing actual tasks with plants, which would be delegated to one’s gardener. So
you might include concepts for types of gardens (planning what to do) and activities that take place in
gardens (barbecues) and skip concepts for dealing with pests, and so on.
Second, arrange your subject concepts into a classificatory structure.
1.
2.
Label your subject. (Such as “Garden fun” or “Gardening with native Texas plants” and so on.)
Determine the macro structure. One hierarchy? Multiple parallel hierarchies? Strict hierarchy
(genus-species or part-whole relationships only)? Loose tree? Arrange your concepts in the
selected form. Pay attention to the principles of division at each level of the structure and be able
to explain them.
Use your index cards to display your structure.
Third, report your findings to the group.
In five minutes or less, tell the rest of the class:
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Your subject label and definition.
The rationale you employed to select concepts for your subject.
Your structural and arrangement strategy.
Interesting debates or discoveries about the process or product of classification design.
And be prepared to use your experience with this activity to contribute to a class discussion on
classification and classification design.
Subject concepts
1. annuals
2. ants
3. aphids
4. arbors
5. balance
6. barbecues
7. beneficial insects
8. biennials
9. borders
10. budget
11. bulbs
12. canning
13. clay soil
14. color
15. community garden
16. compost
17. container garden
18. croquet
19. curb appeal
20. cuttings
21. deer
22. dethatching
23. drainage
24. edging
25. English garden
26. fence construction
27. fences
28. fertilizer
29. fertilizing
30. flowerbed
31. flowering plants
32. focal points
33. fountains
34. French garden
35. full-shade exposure
36. full-sun exposure
37. garden decor
38. garden design
39. garden furniture
40. garden maintenance
41. garden ornaments
42. garden parties
43. garden services
44. garden shears
45. garden tools
46. gardeners
47. gardening
48. gazebos
49. grasses
50. greenhouse garden
51. growing season
52. harvesting
53. hedges
54. heirloom seeds
55. herbs
56. hoes
57. hydroponic garden
58. irrigation system
59. Japanese garden
60. kitchen garden
61. landscape architects
62. landscaping
63. lawnmowers
64. lawns
65. loam soil
66. manure
67. mowing
68. mulch
69. native plants
70. nooks
71. orchard
72. organic gardening
73. partial-sun exposure
74. patios
75. perennials
76. pergolas
77. pest management
78. pesticides
79. pests
80. plant diseases
81. plant hardiness zones
82. plant nutrition
83. plant placement
84. plant selection
85. planting
86. plants
87. ponds
88. potting
89. preserving
90. pruning
91. rabbits
92. rainwater
93. raised beds
94. rakes
95. rock garden
96. rocky soil
97. roof garden
98. sandy soil
99. seasons
100. seeds
101. shovels
102. shrubs
103. simplicity
104. sodding
105. soil
106. soil acidity
107. soil aeration
108. soil amendments
109. soil fertility
110. soil improvement
111. soil texture
112. sprinkler systems
113. staking
114. terrace
115. texture
116. tilling
117. topiary
118. trees
119. trelllises
120. trowels
121. tubers
122. unity
123. vegetable plants
124. vines
125. water conservation
126. watering
127. weeding
128. weeds
129. weevils
130. windowsill garden
131. worms
132. xeriscaping