On completion of this course, students should have an 
appreciation for the historical, anthropological, and socio-
economic effects of plant disease epidemics and the organisms 
and conditions that cause them. They should understand that 
plant disease epidemics are heavily dependent on environmental 
conditions and can be extremely destructive if unchecked. They 
should gain an appreciation for the different classes of 
organisms that cause plant diseases and how these differences 
contribute to the difficulties encountered when preventing or 
managing outbreaks.  Finally, they should understand that while 
plant disease epidemics are unpredictable and sometime 
unavoidable, the degree of economic loss and suffering (e.g., 
famines) associated with these natural disasters depends on the 
appropriateness and timeliness of the relief response by 
national and global agencies.  Students should be aware of 
their responsibilities as members of their local and global 
communities and be encouraged to aid victims of natural 
disasters.							
			
More specific learning outcomes involve being able to 
assimilate information on plant disease outbreaks from 
electronic and print news media and to use it to generate 
written and oral summaries for peer and professional groups.  
This will be in the form of three written “Plant Diseases in 
the News” summary reports and one oral presentation.   
Additionally, students should be able to use web-based and 
print information to understand complex social and scientific 
issues. Through role playing, debates, and oral presentations, 
students should develop the skills to support their positions 
on an issue while appreciating opposing views.

Overall by the completion of this course, students should 
appreciate the significant impacts plant diseases have had on 
our sociological and anthropological development.   As 
potential local, state, and national policy makers, students 
should value the continued efforts to ensure safe and abundant 
plants and plant products for human consumption. Finally, 
students should be cognizant of the critical factors 
(pathological, cultural, environmental, and political) that 
influence and are influenced by plant disease epidemics. 
Students will understand the consequences of decisions that 
contributed to catastrophic plant disease epidemics and should 
be able to formulate strategies for avoiding similar problems 
in the future.  They should be aware of the state and federal 
agencies that are responsible for regulating new technologies 
as well as international trade related to the production of 
plant products.

Topic 1.  Importance of plants and the status of modern 
agriculture
World food crisis
Introduction to the biology of plant diseases

Topic 2.  Origin and history of plant pathology

Topic 3.  Ergot of rye - the link between ergotism and LSD
The role of ergotism in the Salem witch trials
 
Topic 4.  Late blight of potato
Ireland before 1845
The Irish potato famine
The role of the British in the famine

Topic 5.  Coffee rust - Why Britain became a nation of tea 
drinkers

Topic 6.  Bacteria as plant pathogens
The Fisher-Smith controversy
Biography of Erwin Frink Smith - Father of phytobacteriology
		
Topic 7.  Plant Quarantine Act of 1912 - preventing the
introduction of plant pathogens
Chestnut blight
Citrus canker

Topic 8.  Viruses as plant pathogens 
TMV - the first virus

Topic 9.  The effects of modern agriculture on plant diseases
Monocultures  - Dutch Elm Disease

Topic 10.  The Great Bengal Famine

Topic 11.  Southern corn leaf blight - the lessons of
monocultures not learned
		
Topic 12.  Genetically modified crops - gift or curse

Topic 13.  Current disease threats
Soybean rust, bacterial wilt, sudden oak death, karnal bunt

Topic 14.  Agro-terrorism: How safe is our food supply 
The threat of plant pathogens as weapons

Topic 14.  Future challenges of plant pathology	- genetically 
modified disease resistance - restriction of pesticide use

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic honesty and integrity in every phase of their academic
careers. The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe, and
ignorance is not an acceptable defense.