Syllabus

This schedule is organized by topics, and follows the general format of the regular Introductory Ethnobotany course (Botany 105). The Honors Section (Botany 105A) differs, however in several aspects, since there are:

• only two classes each week,
• videos to watch, on your own time (which is in lieu of the third class meeting)
• additional (several) class assignments, e.g., presentatlons which you will make on certain assigned plant uses/topics/plant families (the student will select a plant family and use that family to illustrate the different use topics).
  • obtain (research) information (from library or internet sources, other than the text books or class videos) about plants which belong to the plant family you have selected (you will be using the same plant family for nearly all of your presentations).
  • The text box for each image must cite the source (e.g., URL) ot the image on the slide.
  • Send the PPT as an e-mail attachment by 2 pm of the day before your oral presentation), so that your instructor can consolidate all of power points. and distribute handouts.
  • Make a short, oral illustrated (power point) presentation (2-5 minutes) on the date indicated, to include:
    • common and scientific names of plants
    • brief information about the plants morphology,
    • plants' uses [for the topic (e.g., spices, herbs, invasive species in Hawai'i, endangered species in Hawai'i) of the day, and cultural significance [identify the ethnic/cultural group(s)
    • Source of illustration:
      • If a book, Authors last name(s), date, and ;page number
      • If from a webpage, the URL.
    • The last side should list all of the References used for the project
      • There must be at least two sources
      • see item #2 for references format.

Click on the schedule topics in the boxes below to link to the video page, some additional readings, worksheets, handouts, and other materials (some of these will be distributed in-class) which should be reviewed for each class and laboratory, and for the examinations. At the bottom of each video page, there is an attachment in pdf. format which summarizes the video contents; this document may also have study questions.

Watch the lecture videos, do the readings, and review the handouts BEFORE you come to class.

Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the interaction and interrelationships of plants and people. This includes a wide range of topics taken from an even wider range of disciplines, and considers the many different type of interactions between plants and human cultures. Although examples from around the world are used, a special emphasis is placed on the cultural uses of plants in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

See the following course web pages (topic headings are links to the different webpages):

Class Description

• Learning Outcomes
• Teaching Modes

Textbooks

• Abbott, Isabella. 1992. La‘au Hawai‘i, traditional Hawaiian uses of plants. Honolulu, Bishop Museum Press. (A)
• Balick, Michael J. & Paul Alan Cox. 1996. Plants, People, and Culture, the science of ethnobotany. Austin, American Botanical Council (2005 reprint ed.) (an e-book edition is now available). (B&C)

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Field Trips:

(arranged by student), with worksheet(s) to be completed. See webpage, Written Assignments, for details and worksheets).

• Chinatown Market
• Foster Botanical Garden (link to website and map of gardens).
• Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum (Hawaiian Hall) (link to website home page; Exhibits, Daily Calendar).

Written Assignments:

• Family interactions with plants.
• Short library or internet research on assigned plant topics.

Grading