ESCI 383 - The Geology of Ceramics

Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)

Ceramics is an ancient art form, but the clay used to make ceramics comes from our planet’s even deeper geologic history. This Intensive explores the formation and geologic properties of clay minerals and how this has impacted the craft of ceramics throughout human history. We explore the geochemistry of chemical weathering, the process that makes clay, and investigate how the geologic setting and clay mineralogy of a region impacted the ceramic traditions that arose there. Field trips to collect local clays provide a window into local geologic and climate history. Students have the opportunity to create their own ceramics and investigate the geochemical and physical properties of ceramics throughout the firing process. Glaze chemistry and history are explored. No experience in ceramics is required.

The Department.

Prerequisite(s): ESCI 151 /GEOG 151 , ENST 153 /ESCI 153 /GEOG 153 .

Recommended: An intermediate Earth Science course.

Second six-week course.

One 3-hour period.

Course Format: INT