Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ANTM102: Anthrozoology: Theory and Method

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to 1. introduce students from a diverse range of disciplinary and professional backgrounds to ‘anthrozoology’ (the study of human-animal interactions) from an anthropological perspective and 2. to provide students with the theoretical grounding needed to engage in critical analysis of contemporary and historical examples of human-animal interactions in a range of cultural contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. show a detailed engagement with a wide range of human interactions with other animals in a range of cultural contexts;
2. critically discuss the implications of human interactions with other animals in a range of cultural contexts;
3. show a detailed understanding of the development of theoretical ideas relating to human interactions with other animals within the social and natural sciences;
4. show a critical appreciation of the ways in which perceptions about animals are formed and develop;
5. demonstrate a reflexive ability to engage with the cultural practices and personal beliefs of others in a sensitive manner;
Discipline-Specific Skills6. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which human interactions with other animals relate to the anthropological endeavour;
7. critically assess and engage with some of the key debates from anthropology and a range of cognate disciplines surrounding human-animal interactions;
8. evaluate the anthropological prioritising of the human animal and the nature of classificatory systems utilised by anthropologists to facilitate this process;
9. make reflexive, theoretically informed cross-cultural comparisons;
Personal and Key Skills10. demonstrate critical synoptic skills and the confidence to theoretically challenge hegemonic ideas relating to inter-species relationships;
11. Express complex ideas in a clear, coherent and reflexive manner; and
12. engage in productive group discussions and provide constructive feedback to peers.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

 

Candea, M. 2010. ‘I fell in love with Carlos the Meerkat’: engagement and detachment in human–animal relations. American Ethnologist 37(2): 241–258.

Franklin, A. 1999. Animals and Modern Cultures.London: Sage.

Goode, D. 2006. Playing with my dog Katie: an ethnomethodological study of dog–human interaction.West Lafayette,IN:PurdueUniversity Press.

Hamilton, L. & Taylor, N. 2012. 'Ethnography in evolution: Adapting to the animal 'other' in organizations' Journal of Organizational Ethnography. 1 (1): np.

Hurn, S. 2010. ‘What’s in a name? Anthrozoology, human-animal studies, animal studies or…’ Anthropology Today. Volume 26 (3): 27 – 28.

Hurn, S. 2012. Humans and Other Animals.London: Pluto Press.

Ingold, T. (ed.) 1994. What is an animal?London: Routledge.

Kirksey, E. and Helmreich, S. 2010. The emergence of multispecies ethnography. Cultural Anthropology 25: 545–576.

Knight, J. (ed.) 2005. Animals in Person: Cultural Perspectives on Human-Animal Intimacies.Oxford: Berg.

Kohn, E. 2007. How dogs dream: Amazonian natures and the politics of trans-species engagement. American Ethnologist 34: 3–24.

Manning, A. & Serpell, J. (eds). 1994. Animals and Human Society.London: Routledge.