PLPA Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds -Spring 2008

PL PA 201(2010) - Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds

Spring 2008
MAGICAL MUSHROOMS, MISCHIEVOUS MOLDS
G.W. Hudler - SPRING 2008

Welcome to ‘’Shrooms. This course is meant to be a light but substantive introduction to the world of the fungi and their close relatives. During the next 14 weeks, we'll explore the role of these organisms in the circle of life on Planet Earth, with special attention to they have shaped the course of human history. Lectures and supplemental readings will complement assignments in a book of the same title, Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds, published by Princeton University Press and available in paperback through the Campus Store or any number of e-retailers. Multiple copies of the book are also available on 2-hr reserve in Mann Library and if demand for them is high enough, I will put more books on reserve. You are not required to buy this book, but you are expected to do the reading.

Grades for the course are based on your scores on two midterm exams (33% of final score for each), and a comprehensive final exam (34% of final score). You can write a 6-page term paper in lieu of taking the final exam, but your paper must be turned in by 4:30, April 17.
There will also be occasional in-class quizzes, each worth 1-2 points of extra credit to be added to your final score for the course. You must be in class to take the quizzes. Extra credit may also be available if you attend fungus-related seminars. Those will be announced as the semester unfolds. Final grades are calculated on a percentage basis: 98+ = A+, 93-97 = A, 90-92 = A-, 88-89= B+, 83-87 = B, 80-82 = B-, etc.