Jennings Hall 226
E-Mail: ramirezc1@southernct.edu
Meeting Time: Mondays 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Room: JE 232
Course Description: Ethnobotany is an interdisciplinary field, which draws concepts and methods from both natural and social sciences to investigate human-plant interactions. Among topics to be covered in this course are: the history of Ethnobotany; plant uses by native people for medicinal, ritual, dietary and many other purposes; the direct effect of plants on the development of past and present civilizations in both the New and the Old World; archeological studies that demonstrate the use of plants by people in antiquity; and the current state of ethnobotanical research. This course will illustrate the importance of plants in our everyday life.
An important component of this course is the discussion of the ethical implications of this field and how the work of ethnobotanists impacts the lives of indigenous communities throughout the world, particularly in underdeveloped countries. Many of these countries are located within tropical regions where the riches biological diversity is found. Due to this fact, the loss of biological diversity results in the loss of cultures. Examples from different countries will be used to illustrate this trend of great concern not only to biologists.
Students will be exposed to the classical and most recent scientific literature in the field. Due to the fact that ethnobotany is constantly evolving and new paradigms are posed to scientists, much attention will be given to hypothesis testing and methodologies to challenge students to think beyond the classroom.
Modes of Instruction: Each class will be organized in three pedagogical components. The first one will incorporate a lecture to present the topic at hand. This may include historical background and the most recent knowledge about the theme of the day. The second component will be a presentation by students on assigned readings for that day. The reading assignments will exposed students to the most recent publications in the leading scientific journals of ethnobotany. The third component will be a discussion of the topic covered by the lecture and the student presentation. The instructor will moderate the discussion and pose challenging questions.
Students with Special Needs:
If a students requires special accommodations to complete this course, specific arrangement will be made to make it possible.
Course Requirements/Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this course will very likely be knowledgeable about this emerging field in biology. Most importantly, they will have learned the importance of interdisciplinary research. Those students who do not read the assigned work will be unable to contribute to the discussions during class, particularly that some may be controversial and challenging. The successful student with at least a “B” grade will:
a) understand the scientific literature
b) have clear understanding of the scientific method as used in biology
c) know the benefits of protecting biological diversity and its potential for new medicines from plants
d) develop scientific communication skills
e) an appreciation of interdisciplinary research, particularly social and natural sciences
Attendance: Policies are stated by SCSU in the student handbook. Make up exams will not be given without proper documentation provided by a Doctor or the appropriate Dean. It is to the student benefit to attend all classes.
Grading /Evaluation: There will be three examinations. These will be based on all the material presented and discussed in class, such as AV materials, in class discussions, supplemental handouts, all assigned readings, student presentations, and lectures.
Current Bibliography
Library Journal Holdings
Economic Botany
Human Ecology: an Interdisciplinary Journal
Latin American Antiquity
American Journal of Botany
Journal of Applied Ecology
Conservation Biology
Books
Schultis, 1999. Ethnobotany: the Evolution of a Discipline. Timber Press. Portland, OR.
Tests and Grading
All examinations will include multiple questions and short essay questions. The final exam will be cumulative. A short term paper on a topic chosen by the student will be required to complete this course.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Schultis, R. E. and S. van Reis. Editors. 1999. Ethnobotany: the Evolution of a Discipline. Timber Press. Portland, OR.
Carlson, T. J. S. and L. Maffi. Editors. 2004. Ethnobotany and Conservation of Biocultural Diversity. Advances of Economic Botany Vol. 15. The New York Botanical Press. Bronx, NY.
Tentative Course Schedulethis course
January
Introduction to Ethnobotany:
Yesterday + Today + Tomorrow
February
Methodologies: Qualitative & Quantitative
Quantitative Ethnobotan
Plant Classification
Scientific Methods
Folk Systems: Williams 1990.
Ethnopharmacology: Holmstedt & Bruhn 1995
Medicinal and Poisonous Plants
Balick & Cox (pp. 25-61)
Shamanism and Traditional Healing
Psychotropic Plants
Market Ethnobotany: Amazonian Peru + El Salvador
Ramirez-Sosa (manuscript)
Non-Timber Forest Products
Food Plants + Conservation
Fibers + Dyes + Construction
Agriculture: Plant Domestication
Yesterday and Today
GMO's / Transgenic Plants
Ethnobotany in North America
Mesoamerican Ethnobotany: The Maya
Paleoethnobotany: Lenz & Ramirez-Sosa, 1997 & 2002
South American Ethnobotany
Highlands ( ) and The Amazon ( )
African and Asian Ethnobotany
Bioprospecting + Ethics + Intellectual Property Right
Management of Natural Resources by Indigenous People
Biodiversity and Conservation
9 - 13 Student Presentations + Discussion + Review
