Course Descriptions
AS300/AS600 Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Animal Studies
Animal Studies, a rapidly growing and evolving field, provides an interdisciplinary approach to examining the changing roles of animals in society, the evolution of human attitudes to other animals, and the animals themselves. This course draws upon on the expertise of scholars in a sampling of the disciplines to examine what each discipline contributes to Animal Studies and, in turn, what Animal Studies contributes to the disciplines considered. 3 credits
AS301/AS601 Understanding the Human-Animal Bond
This course provides an interdisciplinary examination of the human animal relationship. Topics include relationships with pets, psychological and physiological benefits of companion animals, concern for animal rights and animal welfare, the role of animals in children's lives and in schools, and demographic differences in people's relationships with animals. 3 credits
AS302/AS602 Sociology of Animal Abuse
The sociological approach to animal abuse examines how different groups arrive at definitions of animal abuse and claims-making activities by various groups, whether psychologists, legal scholars, or activists, to have a particular definition of abuse recognized. The course also critically examines the potential and contextual impact of cruelty on people. The course will look at individualized forms of animal abuse, such as cruelty and neglect and abuse and exploitation in institutional uses such as those involving the use of animals for research, hunting, and food. 3 credits
AS306/AS606 Animals in Literature
Literature provides insight into human attitudes toward nonhuman animals. It also uses nonhumans as a means of examining and understanding what it means to be human. Literature also can provide a lens through which human animals may learn more about their nonhuman neighbors, offering insights into their biology, behavior, and culture, as well as into the difficulties they encounter while surviving in the evolving habitats. Animal literature can raise consciousness about animals and encourage both empathy with nonhumans and activism. 3 credits
AS305/AS605 Animals and Ethics
This course provides an overview of the current debates about the nature and extent of our moral obligations to animals. Topics include general theories of ethics and their implications for animals, moral argument analysis, animal minds, and the uses of animals for food, clothing, experimentation, entertainment, hunting, as companions, and other purposes. 3 credits
AS413/AS613 Global Animal Issues
Animal welfare advocacy has typically been focused locally (e.g. shelters) and nationally (e.g. changing laws and corporate behavior). However, in the past thirty years, a significant international advocacy movement has emerged that is promoting animal welfare issues to international agencies and developing coalitions to prevent animal suffering across the globe. This course tracks the development of the international animal protection movement and examine its tactics and impact over a range of issues. 3 credits
AS416/AS616 Animal Behavior, Animal Minds, and Animal Protection
The study of animal behavior (ethology), particularly the study of animal minds (cognitive ethology), offers important insights for animal welfare and animal protection. Knowledge (and beliefs) about animal minds inform how we treat animals in the wide variety of venues in which animals are used (education, research, amusement, clothing and food). This course takes a comparative, ecological, and evolutionary view of animals and animal behavior, discussing a wide range of species and contexts. 3 credits
AS417/AS617 Animal Protection and the Environment
This course examines the convergence and divergence of animal protection and environmental movement interests, which have far-reaching strategic and policy implications for animals. Factory farming, climate change, hunting, and sustainability are among the topics to be considered. 3 credits
AS450 Independent Study in Animal Studies
Students may design and complete an independent study on a topic not currently covered in the curriculum. The student will need to identify a faculty member to supervise the independent study. 3 credits
AS500a & b Capstone in Animal Studies
At the end of the program, majors are required to complete a two-term faculty-supervised independent project in a specific area of interest. Students will share their work with the university community through an online presentation. Prerequisites: To qualify for the capstone, students must have completed at least 21 credits from core courses for their major, including Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Animal Studies. 6 credits
