BIOL 326

Ethnobotany

This introductory lecture course focuses on the concepts, questions, and methods of ethnobotany (the scientific study of the interactions between plants and humans). Students will use the scientific method to investigate the ecological and biological traits of plants, how these traits have shaped multicultural human use, and, in turn, been affected by humans. Topics include plant structure and reproduction, biodiversity and plant evolution in natural and cultivated systems, traditional ecological knowledge and management techniques, ethnobotanical research methods and ethical issues, and a comparison of plant use by various cultures for food, medicine, shelter, basketry, and dyes. Students may be awarded credit for BIOL 323 or BIOL 326, but not for both.

Units: 3.0

Hours: 54 hours LEC