ART 299

The topic for 2026-2027 is Botany and Modern Empire. Modern Western empires cannot be understood without recognizing the role of botany in colonization. This course explores how commercially valuable plants and consumption of plant-based goods created modern British culture - its food, tropical indoor plants, managed parks and gardening, and beautiful, affordable and washable cotton were all sourced overseas. Plants with medicinal value were appropriated, and Britain’s maritime power lay on wooden planks, cotton sails, and jute and linen cordage. Three credits.