In the process, students will gain an appreciation of the fungi as organisms, and the manner and extent to which their activities have influenced civilization. This will be placed in the context of the myriad of interactions humans have with fungi on a daily basis and, in particular, the societal issues which arise from these interactions.

Grades will be based on a midterm (20%) and final exam (40%), a term paper (30%), and participation in discussion sessions (10%).

Exams will be based on lecture material and supplemental readings.

The term paper will focus on a specific societal issue associated with fungi. There will be one field trip.

• An introduction to the fungi and identification of mushrooms

• Cultural attitudes toward mushrooms or why are the British afraid of mushrooms?

• Toxic mushrooms, including famous poisonings in history

• Traditional medicinal uses of mushrooms

• Use of mushrooms, including hallucinogenic, in religious rituals

• The role of fungi in causing plant disease

• The Irish Potato Famine and its impact on migration to the United States

• Major introduced diseases and their impact on plants and society; examples include Dutch elm disease, Chestnut blight, pitch canker

• Ergotism, LSD and the Salem Witch Hunts

• Mycotoxins and biological warfare

• Human pathogens and AIDS

• Use of fungi in the production of beer, wine, cheese, bread, soy sauce, and lots of other food products

• The production of enzymes by fungi

• The production of antibiotics by fungi

• Fungi in natural ecosystems