DEPARTMENT: Foundation Seminar
INSTRUCTOR: Carl Kirby

COURSE NUMBER: FN 090 33
TITLE: King Coal

SEMESTER OFFERED: Fall '99
PREREQUISITES, IF ANY: none

We will critically examine coal mining in the nearby Anthracite Region as a model for human resource usage. Pennsylvania has rich coal resources and a rich heritage related to mining. We will delve into the geology of coal formation (How did those rocks get folded like that?), coal discovery in Pennsylvania, relationships to the great canals and railroads, labor strife (murder and mayhem, unions and the Big Bosses), the decline of Anthracite coal production. How has coal benefitted us? How much more is left? Will it be mined? Why are the streams orange near Shamokin? Can anything live in that water? What can be done to clean up the environmental mess? Can we afford to pay for the cleanup? Will parts of Pennsylvania become national "environmental sacrifice areas?"

Class activities will include discussion of readings, frequent small group work, lecture, two or three field trips. Frequent short writing assignments, peer review, instructor feedback, a research project, a videotape project and paper will also be used.

This course satisfies the criteria for the Common Learning Agenda "Natural and Fabricated Worlds" requirement.

• Reading List
• Suggested paper topics
• Environmental College Common Hours
• Selected Digital Camera Images
  • Site48_1
    
  • Site48_2
    
  • Site48_3
    
  • Site48_4
    
  • Dragline1
    
  • Dragline2
    
  • BlashakPit
    
  • CulmandHiWall
    
  • Reclamation
    
  • BearVSM
    
  • PumpSlope
    
  • Site46Algae
    
  • BVSMine
    
  • CentrPit
    
  • Ashland
    
  • CentrRoad
    
  • CentraliaPit
    
  • CentWarngSign
    
  • CentraliaPit2