Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - INDG 332 D100

Indigenous Ethnobotany (3)

Class Number: 3159

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    INDG (or FNST) 101 or INDG (or FNST) 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to the study of plant knowledge and use by Indigenous peoples. It provides students with information about the role of plants in Indigenous cultures including such areas as foods, medicines, technology, ceremony, ecological indicators, and within Indigenous knowledge and classification systems. Special focus may be placed on the ethnobotany of one or more Indigenous groups or culture areas. Students with credit for FNST 332 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

Office:             NA
Office Hours:   NA
Office Tel:        c/o INDG General Office 778-782-4774

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Understand the history and current directions of the interdisciplinary field of ethnobotany
  • Appreciate the dynamic nature of biocultural diversity, the centrality of reciprocity and the coevolution of and relationships between people and plants
  • Recognize the wealth of diversity in Indigenous Knowledges and consider the cultural significance, roles and gifts of plants
  • Be versed in botanical field methodologies, including how to identify plants and basic specimen preparation
  • Engage in hands-on learning opportunities (both on-campus and off-campus fieldtrips) to apply course knowledge, contribute in practical ways and deepen one’s own relationship with plants

Grading

  • Prepared plant collection 30%
  • Assignments 60%
  • Participation 10%

NOTES:

This course is an In-Person offering and will include two outdoor fieldtrips (as approved by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences).

Start and end times for the fieldtrips may be altered slightly beyond regularly scheduled class hours.

Class fieldtrips may require fees – this will be announced as fieldtrips are confirmed.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

For students who desire a plant press kit on a temporary loan basis (there is one complete press available for each student), no deposit is required. However, a signed agreement that states if the borrowed plant press is not returned on the last day of class, a $100 fee will be incurred.

REQUIRED READING:

Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon (Eds.). 2004. Lone Pine Publishing 

(NOTE: new hardcopies are available to order through the SFU bookstore (an eBook version of this textbook is not available). Students are also free to procure the textbook on their own, for example, with the help of the bookstore’s "compare" tool, directly through the publisher’s website [Lone Pine Publishing] or, via local used bookshops).


ISBN: 9781772130096

Beyond the required texts, all reading and discussion materials related to the course will be made available through SFU CANVAS or placed on Reserve at the Bennett Library.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

NOTE re AI
Please note that submissions that employ generative AI tools in this course (for idea generation or other purposes) are not accepted by the Department. Your grade in this course is meant to reflect your personal engagement with course materials. If you are ever unsure about your instructor's stance on generative AI, please be sure to ask before submitting work using these tools: "If you are unsure, you must not assume that using generative AI is permitted." - SFU Academic Integrity
Those who employ these tools in their course submissions may face disciplinary action in accordance with SFU's academic integrity policies. https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/academic-integrity/using-generative-ai.html

COPYRIGHT
Materials included in this course, unless otherwise stated, have been created by the Instructor, and reproducing or using this material outside of this course is not permitted unless written consent has been provided by the owner of this material. The course-based Canvas page and its related resources are maintained and developed by the Instructor for the use of the students registered to take this course. Course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Recording, copying or sharing these materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law and SFU policies. What does this mean? It means that you are legally not permitted to circulate the course materials to any other entity without explicit permission from the course author.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.