Anthropology (ANTH) 491

Overview

This course examines ethnobiology—cultural knowledge of plants, animals, and ecology—and the nature of traditional knowledge. The course consists of introduction to ethnobiology and the nature of traditional knowledge, followed by sections on cultural knowledge and use of plants (ethnobotany), animals (ethnozoology) and ecology (ethnoecology and traditional resource management), ending with an examination of contemporary issues (traditional versus commercial intellectual property rights to genetic and ecological diversity and medicinal plants, conservation and traditional societies, and sustainable development). ANTH 591 covers substantially the same material and can be taken as a graduate course in the Master of Arts—Interdisciplinary Studies program.

Outline

Part 1: Introduction and Classification

• Unit 1: Introduction to Ethnobiology
• Unit 2: Ethnobiological Classification

Part 2: Ethnobotany

• Unit 3: Ethnobotany and Plants as Foods
• Unit 4: Plants as Medicines
• Unit 5: Plants for Technology

Part 3: Ethnozoology

• Unit 6: Ethnozoology
• Unit 7: Animals and World View: Canadian First Nations and Native Alaskans

Part 4: Ecological Knowledge and Contemporary Issues

• Unit 8: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Traditional Environmental Management
• Unit 9: Contemporary Issues: Traditional Cultures, Resource Management and Conservation, and Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property

Evaluation

To receive credit for ANTH 491, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the research paper or final essay, and D (50 percent) for the overall course mark.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.