This is a course for all people interested in human-plant interactions -- not merely biologist but also anthropologists, environmentalists, historians and all those interested in the biological basis for human society. The course is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in broadening their studies in using plant material (both living and preserved) and published literature to gain a deeper understanding of economic plants. Technical botanical terms are kept to a minimum and a specially designed glossary will be handed out at the beginning of the course.
Introduction:
Why a course on Economic Botany? Our daily lives are full of close encounters with the Plant Kingdom: food, textiles, medicines and perfumes are fundamental to modern society. We cannot live without plants. Economic botany underpins the very existence of mankind, In the course Economic Botany one can learn about the fascinating world of what is in fact the human side of plant-animal interactions.
Lectures will be given in English.
Course content:
There will be 12 lecture-demonstrations in which material will be used from the world-famous economic plant collection of the Nationaal Herbarium Nederland, from the Hortus Botanicus and commercially available products. The lectures are on different aspects, beginning with a general introduction to Economic Botany in the context of biological interactions in general. Then the taxonomy of certain cultivated groups of crops is reconsidered - (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) - fruits crops, both temporal and tropical. Then come drinks, sweets, tobacco, fibres, wood and latex, drugs, spices and herbs, ornamentals and perfumes. In addition the participants prepare a short paper on an economic plant of their choice and give a presentation on this subject at the end of the course in a mini symposium.
Duration, period and location of the course:
The course lasts two weeks full-time. Because of the paper undergraduate students will be credited with 4 ECTS points. Lectures will be given at the Van Steenis building, Einsteinweg 2 in Leiden, Netherlands. The location is within 15 minutes walking distance from Leiden Central station (finding your way).
Costs:
There will be no costs for students and people associated with Leiden university and / or the Research School Biodiversity. For people outside these organizations the costs will be EUR 250,-. This fee includes handout material but excludes meals and accommodation. The fee should be paid before the start of the course, this can be done via invoice or Mastercard/VISA.