This course explores how animals and people are situated within the web of structures and connections known as “society.” Module 1 considers some of the key symbolic roles that animals play in society by investigating the practice of “thinking with animals.” We investigate how people construct different meanings of animals and the implications these meanings have for both animals and humans. You will gain first-hand experience of this by analyzing how animals are represented in the media.
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Modules 2 and 3 investigate human-animal relationships, including those that involve suffering as well as those that are beneficial. Although many people describe their pets as friends or family members, Module 2 takes a deeper dive into what constitutes friendship and family membership where other species are concerned. Module 3 examines the dark side of these relationships, focusing on animal abuse and its relationship to domestic violence. Module 4 focuses on people’s encounters with those animals outside the boundaries of the home and the farm. The way people understand and regard the species commonly considered “wild” shapes the treatment and moral status of these animals.
What You Will Learn
- Demonstrate knowledge of how animals serve as symbols and metaphors in the media
- Summarize the practices and interactions that allow for human-animal relationships
- Identify the major factors that lead to animal abuse
- Represent instances of human-wildlife conflict
Course 1 of 3 in the Animals and Society Specialization.
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Thinking with Animals
In this module, you will gain an understanding of how we socially construct animals.
WEEK 2
Close Relationships
In this module, you will examine the interaction between humans and the animals we consider pets.
WEEK 3
The Dark Side
In this module, you will investigate the process of defining animal abuse and its relationship with other aspects of society.
WEEK 4
Wild(life) Encounters
In this module, you will explore key questions about the interactions between humans and wild animals.
