GEG-30021 - Animals and Society
Coordinator: Daniel Allen Room: WSF11 Tel: +44 1782 7 34961
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

Non-human animals interact with humans on a daily basis as wildlife, livestock, food, clothing, companions, beasts of burden, entertainment and therapy. Geography has had a pivotal role in shaping these everyday lives and deaths, and influencing these human-animal interactions and identities. `Animals and Societyż draws from research in animal geographies to explore and understand these complex relationships across space and time.

Aims
The main aims are to (1) further student knowledge and comprehension of the concepts and debates in animal geographies; and (2) demonstrate how critical geographic understandings of human-animal interactions contribute to historical, socioeconomic and cultural understandings of society.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/geg-30021/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the development of animal geographies and more-than-human geographies over the last 25 years: 1
Recognise the interdisciplinary nature of the sub-discipline and the wider geographic contributions this research has made to human-animal studies, conservation and animal welfare: 1,2
Critically engage with debates about nonhuman agency, embodied encounters and relational ethics: 1,2
Apply newly gained knowledge to critically evaluate examples of human-animal conflict and co-existence around the world: 1,2
Communicate complex geographic ideas in a style accessible to wider public audiences: 2

Study hours

20 hours lectures
40 hours campaign manifesto
40 hours essay preparation
50 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 50%
2,500 word essay
Students should select and critically engage with one question from a provided list. The questions will allow students to critically evaluate concepts and debates involved with human-animal studies and animal geographies.

2: Coursework weighted 50%
Individual Campaign Manifesto - 2,000 words or equivalent
Students will develop an individual campaign manifesto based on an example of human-animal conflict. The manifesto must balance a conceptual understanding with the ability to engage non-academic audiences. The campaign manifesto, which could include a detailed letter to an MP, website, poster, video, should be 2,000 words or equivalent if other mixed media.