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Human-Animal Interactions

Module title	Human-Animal Interactions
Module code	ANT2010
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Julien Dugnoille (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

From the food we eat and the clothes we wear to the medicines which sustain us, our lives are inextricably bound up in complex relationships with other animals. This module explores the many and varied interactions which humans have with nonhuman animals. You will consider the place of non-human animals in social anthropology which prioritises the human animal, traditionally seeing fundamental and irreconcilable differences between 'cultured' humans and objectified animals. You will put these interactions in socio-historical context and consider cross-cultural comparisons and theoretical analysis.

Key issues relate to how we might understand often conflicting attitudes such as what it means to be human and our responsibilities. These philosophical discussions may culminate in a re-consideration of the place of nonhuman animals in social anthropology as described above. The ways in which attitudes towards animals as objects and/or subjects are changing in other academic disciplines will also form part of the cross-cultural analysis. The module is open to non-specialist students.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to:

1. introduce you to 'anthrozoology' through engagement with a wide range of ethnographic case studies;

2. provide you with the tools and information needed to analyse, in a theoretically rigorous manner, the many and varied ways in which humans think about, and interact with, other animals.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. demonstrate good knowledge and some understanding of a range of human interactions with other animals;
• 2. discuss some the philosophical implications of the different ways in which humans think about and interact with other animals;
• 3. apply appropriate theoretical models to facilitate an analysis of human-animal interactions. Situate specific human-animal interactions within socio-historical context;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. show some appreciation of the synergies and conflicts between the different branches of anthropology (biological/social) in relation to theorising human-animal interactions;
• 5. recognise the contested nature of knowledge and demonstrate a capacity to consider human-animal relationships in a reflexive and critically analytical manner;
• 6. consider the ethical dimensions of human-animal interactions, especially in relation to the practical application of anthropological knowledge (applied anthropology);

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. plan, undertake and present written work of a scholarly standard that demonstrates an understanding of anthropological aims, methods and theoretical considerations and engages with the (published) work of others;
• 8. engage in constructive group discussions, and present/defend material orally (during seminars).

Syllabus plan

The module will explore a wide range of ethnographic examples which detail how humans (including anthropologists) think about and interact with other animals. Key theoretical issues will also be explored.

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• The relationship between humans, nonhuman animals and anthropology
• Continuity and difference between humans and other primates
• Domestication
• Animal classification and symbolism
• Animals as food
• Conservation
• Pet keeping

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	22	11 x 2 hour lectures which will include group discussions and films where appropriate
Guided independent study	44	Weekly reading for lectures
Guided independent study	24	Preparing for formative assessments
Guided independent study	60	Research and writing of essays

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay proposal	750 words	1-6,8	Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
80	0	20

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Topic Essay	80	3,000 words	1-3, 6-8	Written
Tutorial participation for tutorial readings covered for topics 1-11	20	Weekly, as part of group discussions	1-3, 6-8	Verbal

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Topic Essay	Topic Essay (3,000 words)	1-3, 6-8	August/September reassessment period
Tutorial participation for tutorial readings covered for topics 1-11	Individual presentation (10 minutes)	1-3, 6-8	August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Key words search

Animals, pets, human-animal interactions

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	5
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/03/2012
Last revision date	19/11/2019