Prescott College was established in Prescott, Arizona as a result of an envisioning meeting in 1964. Its residential program serves about 500 students.
Courses
Plants & Humans
This introductory course gives an overview of human relationships and interactions with plants developed from the perspectives of ethnobotany and economic botany, with emphasis on the following kinds of topics: food plants and domestication, medicinal plants and phytochemistry, ritual and ceremonial plants, plants for fiber and utility, invasive species, plants for bioremediation and living machines. Activities in the class include laboratory exercises, class discussions, class projects, and projects based on individual students’ interests. This is a foundation course for application-based independent studies in any of the above topical areas and for students pursuing competencies in agroecology, ecological design, human development, ecopsychology, holistic health and wellness, human ecology,
and related areas.
Ethnobiology
This course examines the multifaceted interactions and relationships humans have with the biotic world from the ecological and evolutionary perspectives in order to understand these as an adaptive system with both a biological and cultural component. Emphasized in the course is the value of taking multi-cultural approaches to understanding human relationships to the natural world and how we can make use of traditional knowledge in an ethical manner. Students are expected to develop a critical awareness of the history and current status of the underlying theories and methodologies of ethnobiology and to apply their knowledge and understanding by undertaking an activity-based individual or group project.
Faculty
William Litzinger (Plant Biologist and Ecologist) (wlitzinger@prescott.edu)