There
is wide recognition that the greatest single source of environmental change
and degradation is the growing human population and the increasing levels
of consumption in some societies. However, identifying positive strategies
for change remains controversial. One of the central themes in this controversy
is the contrast between "indigenous" or "traditional"
knowledge and practices and "western", "scientific"
or "modern" ones. Some claim that "traditional" approaches
hold the answer to many of our environmental and social problems while
others believe that the only possible solutions lie in "modern"
approaches. Few methods have been available to understand and evaluate
these contrasting perspectives critically. For example, what characterizes
these different approaches, how are they different and similar, and is
there a basis for collaboration between them? Ethnoecology provides a
means to accomplish such a critical evaluation through interdisciplinary
investigation of human interaction with our local biophysical environment
including the theories, values and practices that characterize this interaction,
and its consequences.
This class is an introduction to ethnoecology, with
an emphasis on people and domesticated and non-domesticated plants. We
explore the theoretical basis for ethnoecology, the particular insights
that it can provide, examples of ethnoecological research, and how ethnoecology
can contribute to finding practical solutions to critical human-environment
issues such as food production, environmental degradation, conservation
of cultural and biological diversity, local participation and improved
development strategies.
Students will participate in a research project applying the theory and methods introduced in the course to investigate cultural and biological diversity in community gardens in the greater Santa Barbara area (See Garden Project) Field trips for observation and data collection, data management and analysis, and group research and presentations will be required.
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Copyright © 2004 by Daniela Soleri