Anthrozoology - ANZ
ANZ 101 Anthrozoology 3 Credits
An engagement with the fundamental issues of the field of Anthrozoology by evaluating the history and the current status of human/ nonhuman interactions, the categories into which humans have sorted animals, and a variety of science-based and value-based approaches to humans' inevitable intersections with other living beings such as wild, companion, farm, service, educational and research animals. To achieve this end, this foundational course exposes students to various interdisciplinary approaches, science-based literacies, ethics focused evaluations, and cross-cultural inquiries, while nourishing their critical and lateral thinking skills.
Offered: every spring.
ANZ 219 Animals in the Ancient World 3 Credits
At the end of this course students have a sound understanding of how animals were imagined in antiquity and the role they played in mythology, religious thought, social identity, and rituals. The students will learn what the study of archaeology, art, literature, and anthropology tells us about the cultural importance of animals to ancient civilizations. In this course, a range of anthropological and archaeological evidence will be analyzed and the discussions will be based on contemporary critical animal theory. The students will also read a broad range of texts in translation (including epic, fable, novel, natural science) and explore themes of sacrifice, initiation, metamorphosis, animal culture, and the customs and ethics of eating animals, and of using them for military purposes, entertainment, or spectacle.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences), Global Awareness
Offered: every fall.
ANZ 305 Historical Perspectives on Human-Animal Relations 3 Credits
A survey of the history of human-animal relationships from prehistory to the modern day with a focus on domestication of livestock, evolving relationships with companion animals, human-wildlife relationships, and various social movements focused on animals and animal rights. This course will cover global movements, events, and trends in addition to significant events from American history and Western civilization.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: every other year.
ANZ 310 Psychology of the Human-Animal Bond 3 Credits
This course will explore various studies of conventional and non-conventional human-animal relationships from a psycho-sociological perspective. Students will be exposed to a variety of psychology-based approaches, including social, biological, environmental, developmental, and cognitive human and animal psychology psychology to understand and evaluate diverse human-animal interactions. This interdisciplinary course will aid students in critically examining various factors impacting the human-animal bond, such as human demographics including profession, species and purpose of the animal, and the social and physical environment of the beings.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: Every other year.
ANZ 315 Equine Evolution and Behavior 3 Credits
Introduction to the latest theories regarding how horses evolved and were domesticated, with a focus on contemporary research into horse behavior, learning, cooperation, and cognition. This course utilizes equine behavior as a base to study also explores the significance of various human-horse relationships and partnerships in the past and in the modern day, including but not limited to the use of horses in wars, as companions, service animals, food, for entertainment, and for transport.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: every other year.
ANZ 325 Animal Assisted Interventions 3 Credits
This course examines the integration of non-human animals in various therapeutic and educational settings. Students will learn of the distinctions among Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI), Animal Assisted Therapies (AAT), Animal Assisted Activities (AAA), and service and emotional support animals. Also addressed are the issues of the inclusion of companion, farmed and wild/exotic animals in assisted endeavors.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: every other year.
ANZ 330 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Anthrozoology 3 Credits
This course aims to evaluate human-animal interactions through the lens of the fluid and ever-evolving nature of cultures across the world. The course will expose students to a variety of cross-cultural contexts of human-animal interactions, and the roles social realms such as politics, religions, economics, geographies, media, literature, dietary customs, festivals, and sports play in shaping them. Emphasis will also be given on the influence of technology, education, professions, globalization and diaspora on animal and human wellbeing, and the thereby arising human-animal interactions. The goal will be to inculcate in the students the concept of animal as mediated by culture, and how belief systems contribute to current animal, human, and environmental wellbeing.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: fall of even-numbered years.
ANZ 333 Animals, Public Policy, and the Law 3 Credits
An exploration of both American and other national approaches to public policy and law as factors impacting modern societies' views and treatment of nonhuman animals. Particular emphasis is given to issues involving companion animals, wildlife, research animals, and food animals.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: every other year.
ANZ 335 Humane Education 3 Credits
This course addresses the inclusion of nonhuman animals, animal themes and human and other animal social justice issues within various educational contexts. Students will learn the history of humane education and its connections to the humane and anti-cruelty movements. This course will also focus on the basic building blocks of effective humane education lessons and its implementation across the lifespan, from children to adults.
Prerequisite: ANZ 101.
Offered: every other year.
ANZ 336 Children and Animals 3 Credits
This course considers how animals play distinct roles in child development, children's cultures, and even in the social construction of 'childhood.' It draws upon psychology, ethology, ethics, cultural studies, education, and anthropology.
Restriction: juniors and seniors only.
Offered: every other year.
