When we think of fungi, we probably think of mushrooms. But mushrooms are only fruiting bodies, analogous to apples on a tree. Most fungi live out of sight, yet make up a massively diverse kingdom of organisms that support and sustain nearly all living systems. The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them. — Merlin Sheldrake
This class is about fungi, and what fungi can teach us about ourselves and our role in the world. This is a science class AND a literature class! Throughout the term, we will read the stellar book Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake to frame our study of fungi. This book addresses themes of ecology, neurology, human and non-human communication, and our conceptions of intelligence and individuality. You will be expected to read 40ish pages a week and come to class prepared to critically engage in discussion.
In the science portion of this class, we will learn about the classification, identification, and ecological function of mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest and set up a FERMENTATION STATION to experiment with fermentation processes, learn about yeasts, and hopefully result in some tasty yummies.