Syllabus approved by UCC September 23, 2010

LockHavenUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Department of Chemistry

Chemistry of Art

I.Introductory Information

A.Department:Chemistry

B.Catalog Number:CHEM 103

C.Course Title:Chemistry of Art

D.Credits:3

E.Clock Hours/Week:4 (2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory)

F.Overlays:None

G.Prerequisites:Meets general education laboratory natural science

requirement.

II. Course Description

  1. Catalog Description:

Explore the intersection of chemistry with the visual arts. Basic principles of chemistry will be applied to the topics of color, paint, paper, clay, glass, metals, photography, and art restoration. Important chemical concepts and safety concerns will be investigated to learn how to properly handle art materials. Introduces the chemical and physical properties of pure substances. Laboratory investigation will reveal how these properties change when substances are mixed.

  1. Comprehensive Description:

Explores the intersection of chemistry principles with the visual arts. Basic principles of chemistry will be applied to topics of color, paint, support media, metals, photography, and art restoration. Important chemical concepts and safety concerns will be investigated to learn to properly handle art materials. Laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce the scientific method and topics from the lecture. Lecture will introduce chemical and physical properties of pure substances. Laboratory investigation will reveal how these properties change when substances are mixed as they work with the art materials in common use.

III.Exposition

  1. Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:

  1. Applythe scientific processto the visual arts.
  2. Develop problem-solving skills by making use of both deductive and inductive reasoning methods.
  3. Use basic chemical principles and terminology as they apply to art.
  4. Identify the chemicals within art materials which are used in various works of art.
  5. Describe the hazards involved in using art materials and where to find information about these hazards by using hard copy and internet resources.
  6. Apply chemical concepts in the laboratory or studio to the materials used by artists.
  7. Analyze and interpret observations and experimental data.
  8. Formulate opinions based on sound scientific reasoning of factual data and theories.
  1. Activities and Requirements:
  1. Students will be introduced to the scientific method and will collect data that pertains to the visual arts. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.1 through the inclusion of questions on exams, quizzes, and laboratory activities.
  2. Students will perform exercises based on both approaches of reasoning and learn the outcomes of each method. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.2 though the inclusion of questions on exams, quizzes and laboratory activities.

3.The properties of pure substances in art will be presented during the course of the semester. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.3 through the inclusion of chemical and physical property questions on quizzes and exams; and through laboratory activities regarding the application of chemistry to the visual arts.

4.The identification of pure substances by their chemical name and structure will also be presented. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.4 through quizzes and exams; and through laboratory activities.

5.As each new topic is presented in the course, students will be introduced to the hazards involved with various chemical materials. Students will participate in discussions of the consequences of these hazards. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.5 through the inclusion of safety and risk assessment questions on quizzes, exams and laboratory activities.

6.Students will apply the safety concepts of the chemical materials to studio-like settings. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.6 through the weekly evaluation of their laboratory activities.

7.Students will learn to recognize the objective and subjective limitations of experimental data. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.7 through weekly evaluation of their laboratory activities.

8.Students will critically evaluate the scientific information to predict answers to new questions. Students will be assessed on objective III.A.8 through quizzes, exams, and laboratory activities.

The students will attend all lectures and laboratories. Lectures will consist of approximately equal time devoted to presentation of new material, discussion of course topics, and problem solving. Students will complete all assignments and examinations/quizzes. In the laboratory, students will record and organize data, analyze data (including graphical analysis) and prepare an analysis of the data stating how the information applies to the topic under study. Laboratory activities will consist of mainly experimentation and data collection and analysis using small group activities.

  1. Major Units and Time Allotted:

1.Lecture Units

The following units are representative of but not limited to the information to be covered.

a.Unit 1- Introduction to the chemistry of color(4 hours)

b.Unit 2- Matter(3 hours)

c.Unit 3-Metals and their compounds(3 hours)

d.Unit 4-Transformation: acid/base(2 hours)

e.Unit 5- Transformation: oxidation/reduction(2 hours)

f.Unit 6- Support media: glass(2 hours)

g.Unit 7- Support media: ceramics(2 hours)

h.Unit 8- Chemistry of pigments(4hours)

  1. Unit 9- Colorants(Solutions)(4 hours)

i.Unit 10- Chemistry of polymers(2 hours)

j.Unit 11- Chemistry of photography(2 hours)

Total:30 hours

2.Laboratory Units

The following units are representative of but not limited to the experiments to be covered during the semester.

a.Unit 1-Measurements(2 hours)

b.Unit 2-Light and its Properties(2 hours)

c.Unit 3-Color Mixing: Additive and Subtractive(2 hours)

d.Unit 4- Chemical Reactivity of Metals(2 hours)

e.Unit 5- Surface Modification of Metals(2 hours)

f.Unit 6- Properties of Glass(2 hours)

g.Unit 7-Historical Chemical Media(2 hours)

h.Unit 8- Synthesis and Identification of Pigments(2 hours)

i.Unit 9 - Paints and Binders(2 hours)

j.Unit 10 – Paper Making and Testing(2 hours)

k.Unit 11 -Crayons, Pastels and Inks(2 hours)

l.Unit 12-Natural and Synthetic Polymers(2 hours)

m.Unit 13 –Fibers and Dyes(2 hours)

n.Unit 14-The Chemistry of Photography(2 hours)

Total:28 hours

  1. Materials and Bibliography:

1.Suggested textbooks:

Barbara R. Greenberg andDianne Patterson, Art in Chemistry,

2nd Edition.Westport, Connecticut:Teacher Ideas Press, 2008.

Hill, Patricia, The Molecular Basis of Color and Form: Chemistry in Art,

Millersville, Pennsylvania: unpublished, 2010.

Harrison, A. J and E. S. Weaver, Chemistry: A Search to Understand,Boston,

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1997.

Rossol, M., The Artist’s Complete Health and Safety Guide,New York: Allworth,

2001.

2.Bibliographic support:

Journals

Advances in Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry

Archaeological Chemistry

Chemical and Engineering News

Journal of Chemical Education

Science

Science News

Scientific American

Books

The American Chemical Society, Chemistry in Context, Applying Chemistry to

Society, 6th Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009.

Bader, Alfred, Chemistry and Art: Further Adventures of Chemistry and the Art

Collector,London; Orion Publishing Group, 2009.

Beckwith, Karen and Jeffrey Sippel, Aluminum Plate Lithography: A Manual,

New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, 1999.

Berry, Martyn, Chemistry of Art, Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2000.

Dunn, Kevin, Caveman Chemistry, Sydney: Universal Publishers, 2003.

Ellis, William, Glass, New York: Avon Books, 1998.

Edwards, Howell, Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art,Cambridge:

Royal Society of Chemistry, 2005.

Feller, Robert, Artists’ Pigments: a Handbook of Their History and

Characteristics, Massachusetts: CambridgeUniversity, 1986.

Hocombe, Sarah, Fresco Painting for Home and Garden, Devon: David &

Charles, 1999.

Moncrieff, Anne and Graham Weaver, Science for Conservators, Volume 1, An

Introduction to Materials. New York: The Conservation Unit of the Museums Galleries Commission, 1992.

Parmelee, Cullen, Ceramic Glazes, Boston: Cahners Books, 1973.

Staubach, Suzanne, Clay:The History and Evolution of Humankind’s

Relationship with Earth’s Most Primal Element, New York: Berkley Books, 2005.

Taft, Stanley and James W. Mayer, The Science of Paintings. New York:

Springer-Verlag, 2000.

Taylor, Frank, Colour Technology For Artists, Craftsmen, and Industrial Design,

London: OxfordUniversity Press, 1962.

Williamson, Samuel and Herman Cummins, Light and Color in Nature and Art,

New York: Wiley Press, 1983.

Zelanski, Paul and Mary Pat Fisher, Color, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1994.

IV.Standards:

Grades will be awarded in a manner consistent with university policy, and will be based upon student demonstration of a mastery of the course material through such means as exams, assignments, laboratory work, and laboratory reports. University and NCATE standards shall be followed to assess critical thinking skills (objectives 1 and 2), and scientific knowledge (objectives 3-8). Other assessment tools may be developed and used by the instructor.

V.Rationale and Impact:

  1. This is an update of an existing course designed as a general education laboratory natural science course for students completing a major or minor in art. For students with a strong artistic background, this intriguing course provides a means and opportunity to engage these students while exposing them to the scientific principles of chemistry and problem solving. Upon completion of this course, students will be better prepared and more able to make informed decisions about the chemical properties of art supplies to which they are frequently exposed and their hazards. This course will satisfy one of the general education laboratory science requirements for non-science majors.
  1. The course is open to all students; however, priority will be given to students obtaining an undergraduate degree in art. This course does not satisfy the general education requirements for a natural science major or minor.
  1. The course does not significantly affect existing academic programs or departments. It will aid in building a betterchemical understanding for visual art students with a non-science background.

VI.Cost and Staff Analysis:

A.There may be additional costs beyond normal yearly laboratory costs for this course, depending on the laboratory exercises.

B.The course will be offered in rotation with the other chemistry general education laboratory natural science courses.

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