Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ANTM103: Applied Anthrozoology

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of the module are to:

  • enable you to explore and critically reflect upon the applied dimension of anthrozoological research;
  • offer students already employed in a related profession to put what they are learning in the classroom into practice and consider how their anthrozoological knowledge might be utilised to improve human-animal interactions in their working environment; and
  • provide students who are hoping to pursue a career in a related field to engage in work experience which will enable them to put what they have learned in the classroom into practice and provide them with valuable transferable skills for future employment.

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. critically reflect upon the practical application of anthrozoological knowledge in a wide range of existing case studies/ethnographic contexts;
2. critically reflect upon the potential for anthrozoological knowledge to benefit humans and nonhuman animals in other 'real world' situations;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. demonstrate a critical awareness of contemporary theoretical debates concerning applied anthropology, advocacy and cosmopolitanism;
4. apply these debates and appropriate theoretical models to anthrozoological examples;
5. demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and practical implications of the application of anthrozoological theory, method and data in 'real world' situations;
6. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the ethical implications of applied research;
Personal and Key Skills7. effectively apply anthrozoological knowledge to practical 'real world' situations;
8. formulate and present convincing and reasoned arguments.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Term 1: You will be introduced to the practical component of the module, and supported in obtaining an appropriate placement or in the development of an appropriate project, and in seeking and obtaining ethics approval for your research. You will also complete the lecture, readings and attend the group tutorials for the module.

Term 2: You will conduct your projects.

Thematically, the module will begin by exploring the ways in which anthropologists have theorised and practically engaged with the applied dimension of ethnographic fieldwork and the associated debates concerning advocacy. We will also consider the ethics of human-animal interactions utilising appropriate philosophical models which lend themselves to practical application (such as cosmopolitanism).

The ways in which anthrozoologists and scholars from cognate disciplines have applied their research to improve animal welfare or to mitigate or resolve human-animal conflict on the ground will be discussed in detail, drawing on a range of case studies. You will then be given the opportunity to apply what you have learnt to practical situations where you find yourselves interacting with animals directly.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
2524530

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities1010 x 1 hour podcast audio lectures with accompanying PowerPoint presentations
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities55 x 1 hour participation in group tutorials
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities1010 hours of participation in assessed presentations (attending and providing peer feedback)
Guided Independent Study90Weekly preparatory reading for lectures and seminars
Guided Independent Study55Preparation for formative assessments
Placement/ practical3030 hours spent engaging in research for the project
Guided Independent Study100Research and writing of summative assessments

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/