Plants and American People: Past and Present

3 units

This interdisciplinary course examines the relationship between plants and the American people. Topics include the natural diversity of plants used by Native Americans for food, fiber, and medicine; the significance of plants in the 'Columbian Exchange' for the history of the U.S. and the economies of the Old World; Native American and Euro-American farming practices; modern agri-business including transgenic crops; and the modern conservation movement in the U.S. Several optional Saturday field trips are planned. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above.