Plant Biology: Intro to Ethnobotany

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Prereqs: BCOR 1450 or BIOL 1450 or BCOR 1425 or PBIO 1040 or PBIO 1060 or ANTH 1100 Open to Degree and PACE students Special Topics courses cannot carry CC designations

Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates elements of plant sciences, social sciences, ecology and environmental studies, human geography, and chemistry, among others. Its focus lies on the interactions between plants and humans within local, regional, and global contexts. Through combining lecture, reading, discussion, and class activities and workshops, students will work to develop an ethnobotanical perspective, incorporating both Western and non-Western epistemological systems to critically engage with the subject matter of the course. Course goals 1. Gain an understanding of ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary field in the plant sciences 2. Begin to develop an ethnobotanical perspective that incorporates both Western plant and social sciences, as well as Indigenous ways of knowing 3. Develop / improve scientific literacy skills 4. Develop / improve critical thinking skills through application in discussions, assignments, and reading 5. Develop / improve the ability to communicate scientific information through a variety of formats (e.g., written, posters, videos)

This is a lecture-based course that will require discussion and active participation. Students will have assigned readings (provided by the instructor from UVM libraries at no charge to students) that will need to be completed in advance of assigned dates to allow for meaningful incorporation of the material into in-class discussions or to better understand certain aspects of the lecture. Attendance will be important, especially on select days when larger in-class activities or workshops are scheduled.

Evaluation will be based upon a combination of attendance, weekly quizzes, in-class activities, projects, and homeworks.