Ethnobotany is the study of people-plant interactions as mediated by culture. It includes how people use and think about plants, as well as how plants in turn influence humans and their habitats. This course considers plants used for food, medicine, shelter, transportation, household items, ornament and ritual by different cultural groups. Many examples will be drawn from within our region here in the Northeast. They will be used to demonstrate applied and theoretical aspects of ethnobotany including the role of plants in cultural identity, strategies for maintaining and passing on local knowledge, links with conservation and biodiversity, and projects intended to address specific social needs. Prerequisites: ENVS 1 or NR 1 or permission.
Enrollment Limit: 20.
This is a seminar-style course designed to guide you through the process of writing the proposal for your senior thesis. During the semester you will choose a topic; find advisors; conduct a thorough literature review; identify specific goals for your thesis; find and describe appropriate methods to achieve those goals; and communicate all this in a clearly organized, well-written, and convincing proposal. A grade of B or better in the course qualifies you to go on to do your thesis work.
