Biology
Spring 2011
Agricultural Revolutions
Robert Callow
Human civilisation began in the middle stone age, when hunter-gatherers settled in caves and began to cultivate wild food-plants. Over a period of several millennia, the wild plants lost many features which suited them to natural survival and dispersal and in their place acquired characters of agronomical value such as high yield and ease of harvesting. In other words, the wild plants became modified as cultivated crops. A guaranteed supply of food led to rises in population, migration to open country and the building of settlements. Hunters then turned herdsmen and their livestock gradually assumed the attributes of domestication. The archaeological, geographical and genetic evidence of these transitions will be reviewed. We shall then examine the progress of the agricultural revolution marked by changes in land-use in England, particularly in the eighteenth century, which were influence agricultural practices throughout the world. Finally, we will explore modern methods of plant and animal breeding, beginning with the establishment of agricultural science and culminating in techniques of biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Recommended Reading:
A full reading list may be downloaded from http://www.enquiringmind.org/ or is available on request from the tutor.
Time: Monday 10.30 -12.30,
starting 17 January to 21 March , 2011
North City Library
Rochdale Road
Manchester
M9 4AF
Tel: 0161 219 6442
Price |
Concessions |
Minimum No. |
Maximum No. |
|---|---|---|---|
£55 |
negotiable |
10 |
30 |
Send bookings before Friday 8th January, 2011 to
Dr R.S. Callow
60, Primrose Lane
Glossop
Derbyshire
SK13 6LW
tel./fax 01457 865049 mobile: 078 4521 7156 e-mail: vallesiana@aol.com
This course may be booked and paid for on-line at : http://www.enquiringmind.org/ .
or alternatively: