472, 672 WORLD MINERAL ECONOMICS
TEXTBOOK:
Robert Raymond, 1986, Out of the Fiery Furnace, Penn State University Press.
Strauss, S.D., 1986, Trouble in the third kingdom, Mining Journal Books, Ltd,
London.
Vogley, W.A., 1985, Economics of the mineral industries, AIME, New York.
REFERENCES:
Various assigned library resources.
COORDINATOR:
Danny L. Taylor, Associate Professor of Mining Engineering
GOALS:
The primary goal of this course is to explain the dependence of our modern world on mineral production and the interdependence of the nations of the world in supplying these needs. The student will learn of the historical forces which have driven and been driven by the quest for minerals and the implications for our modern world.
This course serves a general capstone course for the University Core Curriculum and therefore represents an integrative, interdisciplinary approach to the problems of our society. It also satisfies the University's Diversity requirement by dealing with the conflicts over minerals between industrial nations and developing nations.
PREREQUISITES:
Senior standing.
TOPICS:
- Introduction to Minerals and Their Importance (1 week)
- Historical development of society and the impact of minerals on technology, culture and
society (7 weeks)
- Minerals Availability (Supply vs Demand) (1 weeks)
- Demand Patterns
- Resource Measurements
- Recycling
- Economic Impact of Minerals (2 weeks)
- Impact of Minerals on Developed Nations
- Impact of Minerals on Developing Nations
- Impact of Minerals on Global Political Systems
5. Role of Minerals in National Security (2 weeks)
- Strategic and Critical Metals
- Energy
- Public Policy Decisions
- Self Sufficiency
- Stockpiling
- Economic Impacts of Environmental Policies (2 weeks)
COMPUTER USAGE:
WWW research projects fro background information and sources
for term papers.
LABORATORY PROJECTS:
N/A
ESTIMATED CONTENT:
Social sciences / Humanities 3 credits or 100%