Introduction to Animals and Society
— an introduction to sociological and related approaches to the study of animals
Introduction
Welcome to the first Module in the Animals and Society course. In this Module, you are introduced to the
discipline of Human-Animal Studies (HAS), as well as some major ideas and themes that are foundational
for the remaining course material. We start with a brief discussion about HAS as an interdisciplinary field of
study, and the key role of Sociological ideas and insights in its development. This Module demonstrates why
examining animals sociologically is so important!
Directions
Please complete the following tasks in the order in which they are presented.
1. On the Introductions thread, introduce yourself to your classmates and me. Share why you are
interested in this course and one interesting fact about yourself.
2. Read the Required Readings.
To help guide your reading, refer to the Guiding Questions section. Here you will find key
questions that you should be able to answer when you have completed all of the readings and
notes associated with this module.
3. Read the Professor's notes section, which provides an introduction to foundational concepts in this
course, and background for understanding these concepts and developing your sociological skills. Be
sure to read/view/ listen to the content in the links.
4. Complete the assigned Discussion Activity for this Module.
Required Readings
1.
Animals & Society
, Chapters 1, 2, & 3
2. Vanessa Watts. (2017). Indigenous place-thought & agency amongst humans and non-humans
Library resources can be accessed from the Content > Course Resources (Reserves) link in the course
Navigation bar, or from the Course Resources widget on the course homepage.
Guiding Questions
Some questions to guide your reading:
1. What is Human-Animal Studies (HAS)?
2. What are the key differences between HAS and biological and psychological approaches to the study of
animals?
3. Identify the key differences and similarities between HAS and Critical Animal Studies (CAS)?
4. Describe the history of HAS/CAS in academia.
5. HAS borrows substantially from sociological insights. Discuss.
6. How is HAS a “way of seeing”?
7. What does it mean when we say that animals are socially constructed?
8. Describe some of the places where we encounter animals. Why is it important to think about where
these encounters take place?
9. What can we learn about human-animal relations by thinking about how we define and talk about
animals?
