EESC 7040T: GEOLOGY THROUGH GLOBAL ARTS AND ARTIFACTS

Download Printable Syllabus (PDF)

Week
Lecture Topics
Laboratory/Fieldtrip Topics
1
Art from Minerals and Rocks (Jigsaw Exercise)
Why are different earth materials used to create art and artifacts?
Art from Minerals and Rocks Handout (PDF)
2
Introduction to Mineral Properties and Identification (PDF)
How are mineralsidentified and classified?
Mineral Properties Handout (PDF)
3

The Chemistry of Color (PDF)
Why do minerals have different colors?
(Periodic Table, Orbitals, Absorption, Emission)
Mineral Properties: Color and Streak
Paints from Natural Materials
Paints Lab Handout (PDF)
4
Bonding (PDF)
Why do different minerals break differently?
(Electronegativity, Types of Bonding)
Mineral Properties: Hardness and Cleavage
Sculpting: Rock and Tools
5

Crystals (PDF)
(Pauling's Rules, Silicate Structures)
Why are different minerals shaped differently?
Mineral Properties: Habit
Paint Exercise Gallery Walk
6

Oxidation and Reduction (PDF)
(Chemical Weathering; Smelting)
What is the role of oxygen in the transformation of minerals?

Mineral Properties: Luster
Set-up for Rock Tumbler Experiment
Rock Tumbling Lab Handout (PDF)
Weekend: Franklin Mine Fieldtrip (10/06)
Directions and Map
7
Midterm
Periodic Table for the Lecture Midterm Mock Midterm
8

Sedimentary Processes and Environments
Why are there so many kinds of
sedimentary rocks?
Lecture Presentation (PDF)

Sedimentary Rocks
Examination of Rock-Tumbler Results
9

Igneous Processes
Why are there so many kinds of igneous rocks?
Lecture Presentation (PDF)

Igneous Rocks
Weekend: Inferring Geological Environments from Cultural Artifacts at the AMNH 11/07)
AMNH Fieldtrip Handout (PDF)
10
Metamorphic Processes and Conditions
Why are there so many kinds of metamorphic rocks?
Metamorphic Rocks
Weekend: Earth Materials in Ancient Cultures Halls at Metropolitan Museum of Art (11/13)
Met Assignment Sheet (PDF)
11
Plate Tectonics
Why are certain minerals, rocks, and metals found in certain places?
Lecture Presentation (PDF)
Open Rock and Mineral Lab
and Group Work Time
12

Open Rock and Mineral Lab and Group Work Time

13
Earth Materials in Met Ancient Cultures Halls: Presentations and Jigsaw Exercise
14
Open Rock and Mineral Lab
15

Final Exam
Rock and Mineral Guides Submitted

 

USEFUL LINKS
WebMineral.com
Economic Mineral Industry by Country
Pigments through the Ages
Mindat.org
Essays on Geology, History and People
Handprint
(Paints and Paint Making)

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0608047

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recomendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s)
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation (NSF).