MSE-259 - Society & the Technology of Art and Archaelological Objects
Spring Semester
2000-01 Catalog Data: MSE 259-Society & the Technology of Art & Archaeological
Objects (3) II The course focuses on art and archaeological objects and their
technology to lead into discussions about the priorities of social groups in particular
places and historical settings. P, two courses from Tier One, Individuals and
Societies (INDV 101, 102, 103, 104). Credit is allowed for this course or MSE
257, but not for both. (Identical with ANTH 259, ENGR 259). Approved as Tier Two
- Individuals and Societies.
Textbook:
Class Notes and readings on Electronic Reserves.
References:
Donald R. Askeland, The science and engineering of materials(1994)
Rodney Cotterill, The Cambridge guide to the material worldQC173.3 C66 1985
W. David Kingery and Pamela B. Vandiver, Ceramic masterpieces: art, structure, and technology
(1986) NK4235 .K56 1986
Rohit Trivedi, Materials in art and technology, (1988) TA403.6.T75 1998
Instructor:
TBA
Prerequisites:
Two courses from Tier One, Individuals and Societies (INDV 101, 102, 103, 104).
Overall Educational Goal:
Introductory subject aimed at the study of human behavior and the cognitive models and
socital constructs that humans create.
Specific Instructional Goals:
To discuss artifacts in a way that facilitates the comparison of technological solutions
that different groups developed in response to historical trends, including the development
of agriculture and sedentary lifestyle; the polarization of societies and the emergence
of class hierachies; warfare and trade.
Course Topics (Class Hours):
Introduction (0.5)
Materials science of art and archaeology - an overview (0.5)
Materials science paradigm; an introduction to relations between materials, processing,
properties and performance. Structures. (2)
Historical and cultural context of glass objects. Case studies; Louis Comfort Tiffany;
Venetian glass during the renaissance. (3)
