Courses

This course will explore and consider the different types of relationships between animals and humans in contemporary society from a variety of physical, social, and psychological perspectives. Topics may include companion animals, animal rights and welfare, animals and food and entertainment, human-animal violence, and animal-assisted therapy. (Can be taken for either Social Science or Arts credit).

This course explores the varying and significant ways in which animals are represented in literature. Throughout Western literary history, animals appear in a variety of images, symbols, characters, and themes, which can be studied from a wide array of critical perspectives: natural realism; animal society; anthropomorphism; pests vs. pets; “owned” beings vs. companions; ecocriticism; cultural icons; and ethically and morally. The way in which animals both influence and reflect societal values is examined through human-animal relationships portrayed in selected texts, through class discussion and written analysis. (Can be taken as either a Social Science or Arts option.) (Prerequisite: ANZO-1600 for Minor in Anthrozoology only.) (Open to English majors with semester 3 standing.)

Building on Animals and Humans in Society (ANZO-1600), this course will focus on many of the issues, controversies, and paradoxes, which are inherent to human relationships with animals as companions, for human entertainment, and animals in sports. Students will be expected to engage in meaningful discussions and readings, both verbally and through their own writing, applying different perspectives (ie. historical, sociological, cultural, etc.) to relevant topics. Potential topics for this class include: animal fighting as entertainment (cockfighting, dog fighting, bullbaiting, etc.); zoos and aquaria; circuses and rodeos; pedigree dogs and dog shows; and racing (greyhounds and horses). (Prerequisite: ANZO-1600 or ANZO-1600). (Can be taken as either a Social Science or Arts option).

This course, for undergraduate non-law majors, focuses on the role of law in human-animal interactions and the balancing of competing interests within traditional areas of law. Students will explore and debate the major issues surrounding animal welfare, rights, and protection, including the legal status of animals as living property, and the evolving societal beliefs and values surrounding these issues. The course will primarily focus on examining and comparing the laws of Canada and the United States, although laws and constitutions of other countries, as well as international law, will also be considered.(Prerequisite: ANZO-1600). (Can be taken as either a Social Science or Arts option).

This course will explore the significance of dogs in a human world from a range of perspectives, including biological, ethical, historical, psychological, and social. From the evolution of the domestic canid to the unique construction of breeds to status as a family member, the course will examine the dog's role and value as protector, hunter, and companion within the contexts of evolution, domestication, behaviour, and cognition. Theories and complexities of the canine-human relationship will be explored through readings, discussions, media, debates, observation, and experience. 

This course focuses on a selected topic in Anthrozoology, which may vary according to special faculty interests and/or significant current issues. Among others, topics could include: Animals in the Arts; Companion Animals; Human-Animal History; Politics and Animals; Food and Sustainability; Zoos; Animals in Religion, etc. (Prerequisite: ANZO-1600). (2 lecture hours a week). (May be repeated for credit, with permission of the instructor, if content is different). (Can be taken as either a Social Science or Arts option).

This capstone provides students the opportunity, in collaboration with the instructor, to design and implement their own unique learning experience by demonstrating their accumulated knowledge and understanding of anthrozoology in an original project of their choice, subject to the instructor’s approval. This course will reflect student knowledge of the interdisciplinary field of anthrozoology, which has been acquired through previous anthrozoology courses. The projects may be in collaboration with community partners, such as animal shelters, zoological parks, or educational environments. (Prerequisites: ANZO-1600, ANZO-2600, ANZO-2610, ANZO-3600.)