Hawaii Pacific University
BIOL 2170 Ethnobotany Section ____
Semester and year, meeting times
Instructor: Name, contact information and other relevant information about the instructor.
Course description: This course examines the relationship of plants to human society, beginning with
the early history of plants used as food, materials, medicine and ritual. Indigenous knowledge of the
Hawaiian people will be a primary focus, with comparison to how plants are used in other parts of the
Pacific, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa. Changes in practice through the modern era will be
examined, including domestication and selection of better varieties, effects of trade and the roles of
plant products in the global economy. A basic familiarity with plant anatomy, chemistry, genetics and
taxonomy will be developed in order to appreciate the plant resource, as well as an understanding of
the role of plants in global and local ecosystems. The use of marine cyanobacteria and algae will be
included in light of their special prominence in Hawaii and the strong marine program at HPU. Students
will practice asking scientific questions and evaluating evidence and writing in scientific style while
gaining experience using a variety of information sources. Current problematic issues such as protection
of biodiversity and indigenous resources, respect and compensation for indigenous knowledge, and the
risks and benefits of using popular phytochemicals will generate discussion and debate, and students
will be asked to suggest solutions to global problems.
Course prerequisite: Writing 1100 with a grade of C- or better
General Education Requirement: This course is classified under the World Cultures Theme and meets
the requirement for a course in World Cultures C: Other World Cultures Courses.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes and the Five Themes: HPU’s general education
curriculum is focused around five themes. This course emphasizes the World Cultures Theme and
provides students with opportunities to achieve the following related general education student
learning outcomes.

Analyze cultural forces that have influenced customs and choices in contemporary lifestyles and
world views (WC4). Students will recognize the role of plants in the support and development
of human culture and societies; evaluate the importance of plants in the modern world;
consider the potential of plants to help solve current and future human problems.

Engage with and interpret the various manifestations of cultures including verbal and visual
texts, institutions, behavior and performance (WC5). Students will Give examples of useful plant
products and other benefits provided by plants in different cultures; examine the process of
collection and dispersal of ethnobotanical knowledge

Develop skills that will enable students to assess and engage with cultural difference in a
compassionate and systematic fashion (WC6). Students will respect the value of indigenous
knowledge and plant resources; consider the rights, expectations, proper procedures and rituals
and the cultural and often spiritual impact of the sharing or appropriation of such knowledge.

Develop the ability to use other people’s experiences as a way to reflect critically on their own
ways of understanding the world (WC7). Students will appreciate the special importance of
plants in the Hawaiian culture; explore your own world view to define your relationship with
plants and nature.
Note: Purple text shows places where specific course information must be filled in. Red text provides
explanatory notes to the instructor which should be deleted before using the syllabus. Blue explanations
above should be rephrased by the individual instructor to reflect the specific approach in that section of
the course. Course specific outcomes below are an example and may also be rephrased or modified by
the instructor.
Course-Specific Student Learning Outcomes for BIOL 2170 Ethnobotany
By the end of the course students will:
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Realize the significance of photosynthetic organisms to life on earth.
Describe the basic anatomy of the organ systems and tissues of the plant body.
Relate principles of genetics and plant propagation to the creation of new varieties.
Differentiate traditional genetic selection from genetic modification.
For the rest of these required syllabus items see the details in the faculty handbook. Delete this note
once the syllabus is complete. For online courses there are some additional requirements given at this
link.
Texts List textbooks with ISBN’s and include this language as well
All textbook information (pricing, ISBN #, and e-books) for this course can be found on the HPU
Bookstore website: hpu.edu/bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding textbooks, please contact the HPU Bookstore at:
Phone:
808-544-9347
Or e-mail:
jyokota@hpu.edu
mmiyahira@hpu.edu
Assignments and mode of evaluation
Summary of important dates and deadlines (if the schedule is a separate document and due dates are
not given with the description of the assignments).
Class rules and policies (including regarding attendance, late work and academic dishonesty)
Schedule of events (may be attached separately)