Course Description
Survey of economically important plants, their origins, economic development, and their historical and contemporary effects on the development of modern society.
Athena Title
PLANTS & SOC
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To become familiar with economically important plants and their role in contemporary society. To learn how these plant groups were selected and developed by humans. To be aware of the role of these plants in human cultural development. Students will be tested on this information in lecture with three one-hour lecture exams and a final exam. Two short out- of-class written exercises will also be included.
Topical Outline
Basic plant structures and economically important plant groups. Early Agricultural centers and crops and plant uses. Main food crops: grains, legumes, squashes, starch sources. Supportive food crops: fruits, nuts, edible non-fruit plant parts. Plant shelter products: lumber and wood products. Plant fibers: clothing, construction, industrial uses. Beverages: fermented and non-fermented. Adjunct plant products: gels, resins, dyes, paints, paper. Plants and human health: medicinal plants and dietary supports. Plants and the spread of human civilization: spice trade, Irish potato famine, et. al. Biotechnology and modern economic plant development.