General Information

Instructor: Kristin Henningsen, MS, RH(AHG), RYT Instructor Bio

Credit Hours: 2

Note: it is not necessary to take STOCKSCH 281 before you take STOCKSCH 282

Course Overview

This class introduces students to the depth and diversity of Herbalism, comparing different types of herbal practice, including phytotherapy, clinical herbalism, community herbalism, aromatherapy, flower essence/plant-spirit medicine, and homeopathy.

Course Objectives

To understand the different practices of community herbalism and clinical herbalism
To compare the science and spirit of energetics in herbalism
To differentiate between the role of flower essences, homeopathy, and plant spirit medicine in herbalism
To describe the benefits and contraindications of aromatherapy in health care
To identify key phytochemicals and their effects on the body
To evaluate appropriate phytotherapeutics for specific conditions

Required Materials

Maier, K. (2021). Energetic Herbalism. Chelsea Green Publishing: White River Junction, VT.

Optional

Keville, K and M. Green. (2008). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. Crossing Press.

Course Structure

Announcements will be posted for each unit, providing specific details on the readings and expectations for the week.

Attendance and in-class participation 50% – Students are expected to log into class on a regular basis and participate in the online discussion board. Each week students will participate in the online discussion forum, which will cover a topic unique to that Unit. Initial responses are due by midnight on the Thursday of that unit and should be between 100-150 words. To receive full Discussion credit for the week, students are also required to comment on at least one peer’s post by Sunday at midnight, with a 50-75-word response.

Readings and quizzes 30% – Readings will be assigned for each unit to reinforce the skills and concepts covered in class. All readings will be posted online. Short quizzes (5-10 questions) will be held based on the readings and will focus on the key topics in each unit.

Final Project 20% – Students will be responsible for researching and writing an appropriate herbal protocol for a specific condition. The background of the condition will be discussed, as well as research describing what specific phytotherapies would be appropriate. Students may choose to focus on one type of herbal practice, or integrate practices, depending on the condition.

Course Grading

Class Participation and Discussion: 50%

Readings & Quizzes: 30%

Final Project: 20%

A = 95-100 total points

A – = 90-94

B+ = 87-89

B = 83-86

B- = 80-82

C+ = 77-79

C = 73-76

C- = 70-72

D+ = 67-69

D = 60-66

F = 59 or below

Accommodation Statement:
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify me within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements.

Academic Honesty Statement:
Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent (http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/).

Course Expectations

This course is a fully asynchronous online class offered through the UMass Blackboard learning system. As an asynchronous course there are no specific days/times when you need to be online. However, you need to complete all assignments by the due dates and times as specified on the Course Calendar found in Blackboard. This is not a “self-paced” course – it is expected that you will engage regularly with the course site, with me, and with your classmates.

As a two-credit course running over 12-weeks you should plan to spend between 10-15 hours a week to learn, study, and interact in our online classroom. Be sure to log into our course site every two to three days to review announcements, participate in ongoing discussions, check for grades and feedback, and ensure you are engaging with the course material, your classmates, and with me.

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This class is part of the Sustainable Food and Farming Online Certificate Program and will count toward the Associate of Science degree as well as the Online B.S. degree. Online classes cost $482/credit.