Plants have, over history, had a significant cultural, economic and political impact. In this course we will look at ten different plants and see how the development and use of them has influenced economic and political development. We depend on plants to provide basic human needs such as food, clothing, shelter and even health care, but they are also important raw materials for a broad range of industrial processes. Historically it could be argued that the development of plants has had a more significant impact on society and economic development than most wars and revolutions. The use, and some would say, exploitation of plants provides us with a window on the economic development of society over time.
Additional information about this course
No lesson 15.02.21
Course aim
Plants are crucial to our survival and some have proved particularly integral to our development economically and politically. In this course we will focus on ten plants which have arguably changed the course of history.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is for beginners
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Analyse the role of ten different plants in economic development
- Summarise how various plants have influenced the course of history around the world
- Discuss the way the role of plants and plant-based technologies have influenced society over time
- Evaluate the impact of plants on political change
- Understand the cultural impact of ten different plants over time
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- All materials will be provided
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading or pre course work is required
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
Download full course information sheet
