COURSE DETAIL
This course introduces students to research at the intersection of several disciplines, using methods derived from botany, anthropology, ecology, economy, ethno-medicine, and climate and conservation science. This course studies the core concepts of ethnobotany which is followed by advanced studies of people-plant relations, focusing upon the importance of wild and domesticated plants to local livelihoods and opportunities for sustainable use of tropical natural resources. The course highlights patterns in plant use and the role that local peoples’ knowledge, institutions, and cultural perspectives can play in plant resource use, management, and conservation. It is composed of alternating lectures, exercises, and discussions, including student presentations and lectures by external specialists. Students work in interdisciplinary groups to define a common research project and plan field work.