Spring 2010 Freshman Seminar Schedule

White Gold - Georgia's billion dollar kaolin industry

Georgia is the world's leading producer of kaolin clay, which is used as a source for china clay, magazine paper coating and pharmaceuticals. This seminar will discuss the geologic origins of clays, the place of the kaolin industry in Georgia's cultural history, and the environmental/economic impact of "white gold".

*** A note to those in the public who are concerned about the use of this text in this seminar ***  The purpose of this seminar is to expose students to the role of the kaolin industry to Georgia and the world (you would be surprised to know how many students here at UGA that have never heard this industry and the role it plays in their own state). The students and I spend much time discussing all aspects of the industry, including the geologic origins of kaolin, the science of mining and processing kaolin, the uses of kaolin, the role the industry plays in the Georgia and world economy, and the general laws that surround mining and reclamation. We visit the kaolin district and talk to people who work there.  The book is used as a talking point and only constitutes a small portion of what we discuss. Imagine teaching a course on the water resources of the western U.S. and not having the students read the popular book "Cadillac Dessert".  UGA has placed many a student into the kaolin industry and UGA has a long history of conducting contract research for the industry (this professor included). If you'd like to hear more about what is discussed in this seminar, then feel free to call me.

We meet on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 3:15 PM in Geology room 142.

Textbook: Charles Seabrook, with Marcy Louza. RED CLAY, PINK CADILLACS, AND WHITE GOLD. Atlanta, GA: Longstreet Press, 1995. 194pp

Date	Topic
12-Jan-2010	Organizational meeting
19-Jan-2010	Geology of Georgia and origin of kaolin
26-Jan-2010	Campus Trip to see what kaolin is used in "Just Like Elvis's"   Suitcases Full of Money
2-Feb-2010	Trip to CAUR to see kaolinte crystals The Long Jagged Line  The Road to Nowhere
9-Feb-2010	Trip to XRD lab to test kaolin The Little Railroad That Could The Poor and the Rich
16-Feb-2010	Class discussion about mining laws and environmental laws The Land   The Debt   Kaolin's Enemy Number One
23-Feb-2010	Class discussion about economic and business of kaolin industry Justice, Kaolin-Country Style   Lawyers and Judges in Kaolin Country
2-Mar-2010	Discussion of book
9-Mar-2010	No class meeting - Spring Break
23-Mar-2010	Trip Planning
30-Mar-2010	Day Trip to the Kaolin District
6-Apr-2010	Alternate Day Trip to the Kaolin District

Readings:

For more information, call Dr. Paul Schroeder at 706 542-2384, e-mail to schroe@uga.edu or stop by G&G room 329.