Introduction to Herbal Medicine

WHS101

Students gain a broad perspective on the origins, development and potential of medicinal plant knowledge and its application by exploring core themes and questions. During the course of the semester, students learn of different medicine practices around the world as we recontextualize this ancient and modern art. This course touches on a wide range of healing traditions from around the world including TCM, Ayurveda, and some lesser-known approaches.

We dive deeply into what it means to be an herbalist in the modern world, and learn ways to observe new and old knowledge objectively and respectfully.

There are are opportunities for students to identify and develop topics of particular personal interest to yourself via coursework and an in-class presentation.

This course is based on lectures addressing key themes. The assessment load should prove quite manageable since it consists of a midterm essay and a later presentation of the same essay content. The nature of the themes addressed are deep and relevant – although this is an introductory course it nonetheless provides a profound exploration of the subject area.

Prerequisites: – –    Credits: 3    Hours: 45