Animal Studies in an emerging and socially engaged field that explores the ethical, religious, philosophical, political, and sociocultural aspects of animal-human relationships. Animal Studies is concerned with the full range of historical and contemporary dimensions of humans’ relations with other living beings, including the great diversity in humans’ cultural attitudes toward the non-human world, the roles and representations of animals in human societies, and our moral responsibilities toward non-human animals. As such, the academic interest in Animal Studies mirrors a growing sensitivity to the plight of animals found within the broader society.
The 15-course unit cross-disciplinary microprogram in Animal Studies proposes to engage students with ethical questions about the human co-existence with other species. It shares many of the theoretical perspectives, social and animal justice goals, and pedagogical tools of other advocacy-oriented disciplines.
The table below includes only the microprogram-specific courses. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for information on the possible combinations available within the Faculty of Arts.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| AHL 2110 | Introduction to Animal Studies I | 3 Units |
| SRS 2172 | Religion, Animals, Nature | 3 Units |
| Optional courses | ||
| 9 course units from: | 9 Units | |
| Special Topics in Animal Studies I | ||
| Special Topics in Animal Studies II | ||
| Capstone Seminar in Animal Studies | ||
| Introduction to Organismal Biology | ||
| The Human Animal | ||
| Animal Form and Function | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Indigenous Spiritualities in the Americas | ||
| Literature and the Environment | ||
| Global Environmental Challenges | ||
| History of Environmental Thought | ||
| The Physical Environment | ||
| Places and Spaces of Human Activity | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Religious Ways of the Aboriginal Peoples | ||
| Aboriginal Myths and Philosophy | ||
| Shamanic Traditions | ||
| Total: | 15 Units | |