"O Tiger-Lily!" said Alice addressing herself to one that was waving gracefully about in the wind, "I wish that you could talk!" "We can talk!" said the Tiger-Lily. "When there's somebody worth talking to." Alice was so astonished that she couldn't speak for a minute. It quite seemed to take her breath away. At length, as the Tiger-Lily only went on waving about, she spoke again, in a timid voice -- almost in a whisper. "And can all the flowers talk? "As well as you can," said the Tiger-Lily. "And a great deal louder." Through the Looking Glass Lewis Carroll

Instructor:         Dr. Stephen G. Saupe
Office:                335 Science Bldg; 363-2782; ssaupe@csbsju.edu
Office Hours:     schedule posted on my web site
Web Site:            http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/
Course Web Site: http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/biol106/106_home.htm

Course Description:  This course will examine the way in which plants have been utilized by humans and the economic, historical and social impact of their use on our lives.  Or in other words, from the perspective of the Tiger – Lily, our explorations will make us "worth talking to."

    Ultimately, this course will focus on the "practical" side of botany.  The course is divided in four major units: (1)Science - during this unit we will focus on the philosophy and nature of science, experimental design, and how to recognize pseudoscientific ideas; (2) Evolution - this is the major integrating theme in all of biology and unarguably the single most important concept in the biological sciences.  During this unit we will look at the history of evolutionary ideas, natural selection, and recent threats to evolutionary ideas; (3) Horticultural techniques - in this unit we will study basic botanical principles specifically how they apply to your garden; and (4) Economic Plants - plants that are used by people.  In addition to discussing some select plants, throughout the course we will discuss plants that have played an important role in our history. 

Texts: (required, available in the SJU Bookstore)

• Levetin, E and K McMahon (2006) Plants and Society. 4th Edition.  McGraw-Hill, Dubuque, IA.
• in addition, various other articles will be assigned

Goals: Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Describe the nature of science and be able to recognize pseudoscientific ideas
2. Describe evolution and recent threats from creationists
3. Identify the morphological and anatomical structures of some economically important plants
4. Describe the uses, origin, cultivation, and preparation of some economically-important plants
5. Perform laboratory techniques and analyses involving economically-important plants
6. Describe the life cycle of flowering plants
7. Describe the origin of agriculture
8. Describe the use and importance of plants to indigenous peoples of the world
9. Identify and address ethical issues in ethnobotany
10. Describe the biology and importance of various medicinal plants

Audience: This course is intended for non-science majors and it fulfills the requirements for: (a) Natural Science Core curriculum; and (b) Global Awareness flag.

Attendance:  I do not directly penalize you for absences from lecture. However, I will keep track of your attendance by passing around a sign-up sheet.  If you come in late try to remember to sign the sheet before leaving class (to thank you for signing the attendance sheet, you will receive a  valuable botanical sticker).  This information will be consulted only if you are on a grade borderline.  Whether you are absent or not, you are still responsible for completing assignments (i.e., turning in any that are due and getting the assignment for the next class).  In general, you will not be able to make up anything missed in lecture.  You must attend every lab - No exceptions!

Class Time/Place:  The lecture section meets Days 2-4-6 from 11:20 - 12:30 a.m. in PENGL 325, SJU. The laboratory meets 1:00 - 3:50 pm on Day 6 in PENGL 342.  Plan on being in lab the entire scheduled period!  Some lab work may be conducted outside of class.

Daily Class Activity/Etiquette:  Each day we will go through a ritual greeting (& closing).  I think it is important to have some structure in our classroom activities to foster a serious learning environment.  Music will greet you at the beginning of class (I encourage you to share a CD with the group).  The purpose of the music is to set the stage for our studies and relax our minds so that we can focus on our tasks ahead.  As soon as you arrive, check the front desk for any handouts (serious students are prepared and ready for the activities of the day).  When the music goes off, class begins.  I will greet you by saying "Good Morning."  Please answer back enthusiastically, "Good morning."  We do this because "the secret of joyful living is joyful greeting" (a quote from Dr. P. Pendse).  I will then ask, "How are you this morning?"  You will respond with a greeting selected by a member of the class.  Once again, please respond enthusiastically.  This will be followed by announcements including assignments (from instructor and solicited from the class) and an overview of the day's activities.  We will then begin our studies.  A time-keeper will signal when there is five-minutes remaining in class.  This will insure that we will always end class on time.  We will not pack up to leave until we show our mutual respect for one another.  I will close by saying, "Thank you - that ends another incredible day of botany." The class responds with a greeting selected by a class member.  For more details, the following link to Class Format.

Email:  I typically check and respond to email first thing in the morning (between 8 & 9:00 am) and before I leave in the evening (usually about 5:30 pm).  If you send an email after about 430 pm I will not see or respond to it until the following day because I do not check email after leaving my office.  Please plan accordingly.

Evaluation: Grades will be assigned on the basis of your performance on:

1. Lecture Exams (56% of your total grade)
2. Lab Work (40%)
3. Assignments (4%)

    Your course grades will be assigned based upon the percentage of total points accumulated according to the following scale: 100 - 91% = A; 90 - 87% = AB; 86 - 81% = B; 80 - 77% = BC; 76 - 71% = C; 70 - 67% = CD; 66 - 60% = D; below 59% = F.

    To determine your approximate grade at any time during the semester, simply divide the total number of points you have accumulated by the total possible (this information will always be provided). In addition, I will periodically post grades, anonymously, on the web (if you prefer your grade not be posted by an anonymous manner, please let me know).  Check this report for accuracy and to provide an indication of your standing.  I recommend that you keep for your records all of your graded work.

    Never hesitate to come and talk to me about your grade, or any aspect of the course, at any time during the semester!

    S/U grading can be requested at any time during the regular semester. You must submit your request in writing on a separate sheet of paper (not on a test or other assignment). Note: "S" is awarded for a letter grade of "C" and above.

Bonus Work:  You will have the opportunity to earn bonus points by attending lectures, analyzing journal articles, participating in formal nature walks, or even reporting on science-related television programs.  If it is "scientific" and can be reasonably considered to pertain to our course you can earn bonus points for participating in the activity.  Obtain a "Bio-Bonus Card" and turn it in to me following the activity.  Cards are due no later than Study Day.  As a general guide -  lectures are worth five bonus points, journal summaries and book reviews are worth 3 bonus points, and summaries of TV programs are worth 2 points.  For other activities, I will assign an appropriate number of points.  If in question, ask me.  The Bonus Card can be obtained in the file box or online.

Format: Class material will be presented via lectures, laboratories, and discussions. Laboratory exercises are designed to parallel and augment lecture material. Discussions will focus on a particular topic of interest. Various demonstrations, in-class exercises, and AV materials are also anticipated. I try to minimize lecturing because I believe that science is best learned by "doing." Cooperative learning will also be an important part of our course.

File: You will have a personal file folder in a file box in SC 343 (Botany lab). You may use this file to store papers/notes/etc. In addition, I will place in this file any assignments not returned to you personally. Also, extra copies (if any!) of handouts will be available here. When in doubt or need, check here.

Flags: This course has a Global Reasoning flag. This requirement will be fulfilled by lab reports, homework assignments, and in-class writings.

Honor Code: I run this class on the Honor Code system; in other words, I trust you to do your own work at all times. If you violate my trust, the consequences will be severe. If you have even the slightest doubt that an activity violates the Honor Code - don't do it. In addition to the obvious violations (i.e., cheating on exams, plagiarizing), turning in data from someone else without giving them credit, is a violation of the Honor Code. In general, no photocopies, other than group raw data, will be accepted from another source.

Laboratory: Since "the lab is the place where science gets done," it's not surprising that this course has a lab component and it contributes to a major portion of your grade. The major objectives of lab in this class are to: (1) provide a introduction to the scientific process, and (2) give you an opportunity to work hands-on with a variety of plants and their products.

Late Assignments: I reserve the right to accept or refuse late assignments.

Pride: I believe that the appearance of an assignment is a reflection of the quality of the work and the degree of respect it deserves. Thus, for your benefit (and my eyesight) I require that all written assignments (with some obvious exceptions - when in doubt, please ask). Assignments not typed will be penalized 50% of the total possible points. Also, assignments completed on paper torn out of a spiral notebook will be penalized 20% of the total possible points. If you like to use spiral notebooks that's fine - simply remove the frayed edges before turning in your work. Please remove perforated strips from computer paper and separate pages. Assignments should be stapled if more than one page.

Questions: Always welcome!!

Required Materials: In general, you will be supplied with everything you need. Your student account will be charged a lab fee, as specified in the Course Booklet, for expendable supplies.

Teaching Philosophy: Among other things, the coach of a sports team must: (1) teach the players techniques to play better; (2) provide motivation for the players to achieve success; and (3) evaluate the skills of the players. Like coaches, classroom teachers serve these same roles; to teach, provide motivation for learning and evaluating (grading) the success of student. Thus, I like to consider myself a kind of "biological coach" and you are the players. We are on the same team and out to crush our enemy - ignorance. Always remember we are on the same team.

    To help foster team spirit, we may occasionally do motivational cheers, listen to stimulating biological music and probably most importantly, we will work together in a cooperative learning situations (=teamwork).

    I also think that learning should be enjoyable. Hopefully we will laugh together and have fun. Stamps, stars and stickers will grace some of your graded assignments. "Biological" music will greet you when you arrive in class. This is all done in good fun, to make our learning environment more pleasant. Yet, we will always be respectful of one another.

    Some students in the past have commented that they think some of what we'll do is "childish". I hope so because I want to generate some of the fun and enthusiasm that children have for learning. But remember, even though we may be silly and have fun, I am still very serious about the goals of our course

Three Ring Notebook: I recommend the use of a three-ring spiral bound notebook. All course materials will be punched with three holes for your convenience. It has been my experience that students with well-organized notebooks perform better than those with messy, unorganized ones.

Visitors: Visitors to our classroom are welcome. Please introduce them to me. And, they should plan to participate (as best they can) in class activities