Spring 2025 - INDG 332 D200
Indigenous Ethnobotany (3)
Class Number: 2835
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Robert Bandringa
rbandrin@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
INDG (or FNST) 101 or INDG (or FNST) 201W.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the study of plant knowledge and use by Indigenous peoples. It provides students with information about the role of plants in Indigenous cultures including such areas as foods, medicines, technology, ceremony, ecological indicators, and within Indigenous knowledge and classification systems. Special focus may be placed on the ethnobotany of one or more Indigenous groups or culture areas. Students with credit for FNST 332 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Science.
COURSE DETAILS:
Office: NA
Office Hours: NA
Office Tel: c/o INDG General Office 778-782-4774
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
- Understand the history and current directions of the interdisciplinary field of ethnobotany
- Appreciate the dynamic nature of biocultural diversity, the centrality of reciprocity and the coevolution of and relationships between people and plants
- Recognize the wealth of diversity in Indigenous Knowledges and consider the cultural significance, roles and gifts of plants
- Be versed in botanical field methodologies, including how to identify plants and basic specimen preparation
- Engage in hands-on learning opportunities (both on-campus and off-campus fieldtrips) to apply course knowledge, contribute in practical ways and deepen one’s own relationship with plants
Grading
- Prepared plant collection 30%
- Assignments 40%
- Research paper 20%
- Participation 10%
NOTES:
This course is an In-Person offering and will include two outdoor fieldtrips (as approved by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences).
Start and end times for the fieldtrips may be altered slightly beyond regularly scheduled class hours.
Class fieldtrips may require fees – this will be announced as fieldtrips are confirmed.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
For students who desire a plant press kit on a temporary loan basis (there is one complete press available for each student), no deposit is required. However, a signed agreement that states if the borrowed plant press is not returned on the last day of class, a $100 fee will be incurred.
REQUIRED READING:
Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon (Eds.). 2004. Lone Pine Publishing
(NOTE: new hardcopies are available to order through the SFU bookstore (an eBook version of this textbook is not available). Students are also free to procure the textbook on their own, for example, with the help of the bookstore’s "compare" tool, directly through the publisher’s website [Lone Pine Publishing] or, via local used bookshops).
ISBN: 9781772130096
Beyond the required texts, all reading and discussion materials related to the course will be made available through SFU CANVAS or placed on Reserve at the Bennett Library.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.