An exploration of selected topics in anthropology, culture and society (see Anthropology of the U.S. and topics listed under ANTH 290.) Prerequisite: sophomore standing. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore standing | 1/2-1 course |
Of the approximately 391,000 plant species identified by Western botanists, few straddle the lines between medicine and menace, commodity and contraband, as vividly as Cannabis sativa L. Likely originating in Central Asia, Cannabis has co-evolved with humans over millennia, spreading across the globe thanks to its adaptability, versatility, and sociopolitical entanglements. It stands out not only for its many practical uses--nutritional, industrial, medicinal, and psychoactive--but also for the stories, controversies, and contradictions it carries. Cannabis has long served as a potent cultural symbol, mobilized to mark social boundaries, enforce criminalization, and resist authority.
This course examines the long and complex human-Cannabis relationship through the lens of anthropology, from ancient societies to modern nation-states. We will consider how cultural norms, legal systems, environmental practices, and political ideologies shape Cannabis use and regulation. Throughout the semester, we will ask: How have societies made sense of Cannabis? What meanings has it taken on in different cultural contexts? And what does the story of Cannabis reveal about broader themes of power, identity, and social control? Together, we will challenge assumptions, sift through competing claims, and explore how culture matters in understanding a plant that has never been just a plant.