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History of Natural and Montaneous Sciences

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code541-0307/04
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated3 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Compulsory
Level of Course Unit *First Cycle
Year of Study *First Year
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredSummer Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionCzech
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites Course succeeds to compulsory courses of previous semester
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
DUR20Ing. Miloš Duraj, Ph.D.
Summary
The subject offers a total review of the historical development of the geological and montaneous sciences. The significant part of the scheme is paid to the mining and its importance for the evolution of the human society. The subject scheme takes in these main topics.
Main evolutionary stages of the human society – characteristics. Mining
influence on a development of human civilization. Mineral raw materials and
their importance for human society development. Mining and its importance for
advancement of crafts, trade, science and politics. History of Slavic mining in
our countries. Czech feudal monarchy – metal mining and its development. Mining
importance for town and community building up and their economy. Legal status
of mining in the society. Mining technical means used during the feudal period.
Georgius Agricola – his life and work. Beginning of the coal mining in our
countries and its influence on an industry development. Mining educational
system and technical education (culture). Coal and ore mining future in the
Czech Republic – fundamental problems.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
The main goal of this subject is to make the students acquainted with the history and development of the natural and montaneous sciences from the firsts to present. The students gain basic knowledge about the history of human evolution and its relation to the nature. The subject is especially intent on the problems of human relation to the mineral raw materials, their exploitation, processing and utilization. These have been main factors informing the development of the whole human society from the beginnings to the present day. The students can gain overview about particular periods of human evolution and its relation to natural and montaneous science forming, they will be able to describe, characterize and judge their importance for the development of human society by use of the comparative analysis. They have to learn to ilustrate and explain the importance of mining for development of the other branches of human actvity immediately or less connected with mining by use of practical examples. They have to learn to apply gained theoretical knowledge and experience by the presentation of their seminary projects within the frame of practical tutorials. The important part of tutorials is also discussion about theme dated up. The student must be able to state their elected solution processes. The form of public presentation is one of ways how to develop student´s ability to demonstrate their work and state their cases, to analyse elected solution processes and achieved results and to point out this knowledge, which will be the contribution to their next professional activity.
Course Contents
1. Introduction to the issue - basic terms.
2. Time distribution of individual stages of the development of human society.
3. Mineral raw materials and their importance for human development.
4. Characteristics of individual stages of human development – Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age...
5. Slavic mining in our territory - significance.
6. Mining of metals in the Czech feudal monarchy.
7. Overview of production forces and production relations during the heyday of feudal mining.
8. Important areas of mineral extraction in our country and in Slovakia - history.
9. Legal embedding of mining in society.
10. Mining technology - development, significance.
11. Georgius Agricola – life, work, significance for mining and metallurgy.
12. The beginnings of coal mining.
13. Mining education and professional education.
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
DOUET, J. (ed.). (2012) Industrial Heritage Re-tooled: The TICCIH guide to Industrial Heritage Conservation, Lancaster: Carnegie, ISBN 978-1-85936-218-1.
MARKL, V., PADĚRA, Z. (1996): Stručný úvod ke studiu historie českého a slovenského hornictví; (I. část); skripta HGF VŠB-TU Ostrava.
MARKL, V., PADĚRA, Z. (1997): Stručný úvod ke studiu historie hornictví; (II. část); skripta HGF VŠB-TU Ostrava.
MAJER, J. (2004): Rudné hornictví v Čechách, na Moravě a ve Slezsku – obrazy z dějin těžby a zpracování; nakl. Libri, Praha.

Recommended Reading:
GRIFFIN, E. (2010). Short History of the British Industrial Revolution. Palgrave.
DURAJ, M. (2007): Dějiny přírodních a montánních věd (vybrané kapitoly); učební texty pro posluchače Univerzity III. věku, oboru Geologie a životní prostředí; HGF VŠB-TU Ostrava.
MAJER, J. (1984): Z dějin Vysoké školy báňské v Příbrami; odborná publikace; Symposium Hornická Příbram ve vědě a technice. MAJER, J. (1991): Po kovových stezkách Československa; odborná publikace, Příbram.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Tutorials, Other activities
Assesment methods and criteria
Task TitleTask TypeMaximum Number of Points
(Act. for Subtasks)
Minimum Number of Points for Task Passing
Credit and ExaminationCredit and Examination100 (100)51
        CreditCredit33 17
        ExaminationExamination67 18