Critical Animal Studies, Minor in

Administered by the Department of Philosophy

Professor Baehr, Departmental Chairperson

This program explores the ways human beings have thought about and treated other animals. Focus is on how different species interface with humanity and on how nonhuman animality operates in its own terms through a diversity of manifestations. The tradition of humanism (including the idea that humans are especially exceptional or fundamentally different from other animals and that we should be at the center of ethical and legal/political concern) is subjected to critical scrutiny and thus is seen to legitimize and thereby facilitate the exploitation of other animals. Critical Animal Studies interrogates the metaphysical and moral (ab)uses of species categories.This field attracts students interested in pursuing careers in animal handling, veterinary medicine, animal advocacy, wildlife rehabilitation and the like.

Minor Requirements - Minimum Semester Hours: 18

The minor consists of the successful completion of a minimum of 18 semester hours of required and elective courses as follows: two courses in Critical Animal Studies (6 s.h.); one course in Biology (3-4 s.h.); one course in Philosophy (3-4 s.h.); an additional 2-3 courses (6-7 s.h.) chosen from electives, subject to advisement by the director. No more than three courses from any one department outside ANML; at least 9 s.h. must be taken in-residence; a grade of C- or better is required in each course.

No more than two courses may double-count toward the major or minor requirements of another degree program.

Required Courses:

1. Critical Animal Studies - two courses (6 s.h.)

PHI 018 - (HP) Thinking Animals Semester Hours: 3

2. Biology - one course (3-4 s.h.)

BIOL 111 - (NS) Introduction to the Big Ideas in Biology Semester Hours: 3
or
BIOL 112 - (NS) General Biology I Semester Hours: 4

3. Philosophy - one course (3-4 s.h.)

Chosen from the following:

PHI 010C - (HP) Theories of Human Nature Semester Hours: 3
PHI 101 - (HP) Ecology and Environmentalism Semester Hours: 3
PHI 131 - (HP) Ethics and Animals Semester Hours: 3
PHI 133 - (HP) Ethics and the Natural Environment Semester Hours: 3
PHI 138 - (HP) Ethics and Sustainability: Personal, Social and Corporate Responsibility Semester Hours: 3
PHI 162 - (HP) Philosophy of Biology Semester Hours: 3
PHI 164 - Philosophy of Mind Semester Hours: 3

4. Electives 2-3 courses (6-7 s.h.)

Electives may be chosen from section 3 above or from the following:

ANML 099 A-Z - Special Topics in Critical Animal Studies Semester Hours: 3
ANTH 001 - (BH) Human Evolution in Anthropological Perspective Semester Hours: 3-4
ANTH 107 - (BH, CC) Conservation and Indigenous Peoples Semester Hours: 3
ANTH 110 - (BH) Prehistory Semester Hours: 3
BIOL 112 - (NS) General Biology I Semester Hours: 4
BIOL 113 - (NS) General Biology II Semester Hours: 4
BIOL 120 - Evolution, Ecology and Behavior Semester Hours: 4
BIOL 138 - Field Ecology Semester Hours: 1-3
BIOL 144 - Animal Physiology Semester Hours: 4
BIOL 145 - Hormones and Behavior Semester Hours: 3
BIOL 150 - Behavior Semester Hours: 4
BIOL 163 - Brain, Behavior and Evolution Semester Hours: 3
CGS 010 - (IS) Introduction to Cognitive Science Semester Hours: 3
PSY 061 - (BH) Comparative Psychology Semester Hours: 3
PSY 070 - Evolutionary Psychology Semester Hours: 3
PSY 110 - Principles of Learning and Behavior Semester Hours: 3
PSY 192 - Research Seminar: Animal Learning and Cognition Semester Hours: 4
RELI 090 A-Z - (HP) Special Topics in Religion Semester Hours: 1-3
SBLY 104 A-Z - Special Topics in Sustainability Studies Semester Hours: 3
SBLY 120 - (IS) Sustainability and Food Semester Hours: 3
WSC 113 - (AA) Resistance Writing: Ink and Fire Semester Hours: 3

Note:

Some BIOL and PSY courses listed have prerequisites. Please see the program director for additional advisement in these areas. RELI 090 A-Z - (HP) Special Topics in Religion and SBLY 104 A-Z - Special Topics in Sustainability Studies may be substituted for electives when topics are applicable.

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