Integrative Biology 363/Anthropology 378 - Plants and Their Uses
David S. Seigler
Announcements

This class will be taught in Spring 2010. The class will meet at 10 AM on MWF in 140 Burrill Hall.

The text for the course is: ECONOMIC BOTANY. PLANTS IN OUR WORLD. B. B. SIMPSON AND M. C. OGORZALY. McGRAW-HILL. NEW YORK. Third Edition. 2001.

This course will provide an introduction to the effects of human selection and domestication of cultivated plants as well as a comparison and in-depth look at the major uses of plants in the world today. Although plants of importance in the United States will be highlighted, an attempt will be made to provide a worldwide perspective of plant uses. Relevant anthropological and historical background will be given in order to facilitate understanding of present and future patterns of plant usage.

There will be three exams. The first two hourly exams mostly will be non-cumulative and each will count 20% of the final grade. The final exam will emphasize the material for the last third of the course, but will include some material from throughout the course. The final exam will count 25% of the final grade.

There will also be a series of 12 short, but unannounced, quizzes during the semester. You will be permitted to drop 2 of these. Each will count 1 point, for a maximum total of 10% of your grade.

A paper dealing with some aspect of plant usage by people and based on library materials is required. Although the student may select a topic of special interest to himself, it will be desirable first to discuss the topic with the instructor. Papers may emphasize the process of selection, ethnographic and cultural links to plant usage, appropriate plant chemistry and/or pharmacognosy, processing of the plant for human usage, economic aspects of plant usage, transportation, technological advances such as preservation methods, refrigeration, postharvest physiology, and associated plant pests such as insects and fungi. Scientifically based material related to specific genetically modified crop plants is of much current interest and an appropriate topic.

Papers dealing with beer, cannabis (marihuana), coca or cocaine, corn (maize), soy beans, opium, wine, and a few other selected topics normally will not be accepted.

The topic should transcend simple listing of all known literature on a particular subject. Thoughtful analysis and synthesis from such a database is necessary. Please feel free to use the web to search for information; in each instance, you should cite the source address. You should maintain a preponderance of traditional kinds of references in your paper, as web sites often change. Many sources of information, both electronic and hard copy, are unreliable; you should carefully evaluate the information included in your paper.

As an alternative, in February-April, you may visit some organization (company, cultural group laboratory, etc.) that uses plant materials and interview the appropriate people. In that case, your paper will be based on this visit and literature concerning the particular plant usage involved. Attention should be given to the nature of usage, source of the plant materials, future importance of this enterprise, etc. Examples of places to visit might include sawmills, spice importers, drug companies, ethnic restaurants, or grocery stores.

A draft of your paper must be turned in by at least 2 weeks before the completed paper is due. This draft will be reviewed and returned to you as quickly as possible and will serve as the basis for preparing the final version of the paper.

This paper will count 25% of the final grade. Most good papers in the past have been between 10-20 pages in length. Papers must be typed and an electronic version in Word or other acceptable word processor must be turned in. Please keep a duplicate copy until receipt of your paper is confirmed.

On March 7 (a Sunday evening), the class will have a dinner in which we will sample a number of the foods discussed in the first part of the semester. This dinner will begin at 6:30 P.M. and, although you may stay as long as you like, is usually over by 10:00. Each student will be expected to bring a dish to the meal. The total cost should not exceed $12. You may bring a guest of your choice. In the past, this has been a good way to try a large number of interesting foodstuffs. Further details will be announced later.

You should also check the web site for this course: http://www.life.uiuc.edu/ib/363 for up-to-date information on lectures and a number of related images. This site is currently being upgraded and will change throughout the semester.

Should any problems arise, please don't hesitate to contact me. My office is 633B Morrill Hall (phone 217-333-7577, e-mail seigler@life.uiuc.edu). Although I am willing to consult at most hours during the day, it is probably a good idea to call first to be sure I'm in and available. If you have difficulties reaching me, you can leave a message on my answering machine, or at the Plant Biology departmental office (333-1260).

E-mail: seigler@life.uiuc.edu