Animal studies perspectives in literature and film 4219-RS292
The course will offer introductory readings in the field of animal studies as well as an opportunity to experiment with reading the animal presence in examples of literary and cinematic texts. Animal studies is a new but quickly growing interdisciplinary project, cultivated in a variety of fields, such as (but not limited to) sociology, psychology, history, political science, media analysis, as well as literature and film studies. In American studies, it impacts the way we think about animals and ideas of “animality,” but also about humanity and ways human lives are defined by race, class, gender, disability, nationality, and the nation state. Therefore, we will look at animal presence, but also at ways in which animals and “animality” have been used to create and enforce human hierarchies. Obviously, “the question of the animal” also requires our ethical consideration, in the light of animal exploitation and extinction of entire species, but also in the light of our intimate relationships with our animal companions.
Course coordinators
Type of course
elective courses
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Upon completing this course a student:
- is familiar with different conceptions of animals in the US culture,
- uses terminology connected with animal studies,
- comprehends how race and gender impact our understanding of animals and human- animal relations,
- is aware of how speciesm impacts society,
- acquires vocabulary to make critical arguments in regards to animal.
- knows how to seek theoretical knowledge and critical materials in order to complete a short piece of academic writing
- is able to: build a bibliography, use critical and theoretical materials related to the text under consideration, plan a paper, and formulate a thesis statement
- is able to use the knowledge gained in the course to analyze a selected text
Skills
Upon completing this course a student:
- formulates critical arguments on topics related to animals, human-animal interactions, anthropocentrism and the ways in which humans use non-human animals,
- is able to synthesize information,
- has the skills to use animal studies in analysis of U.S. culture,
- is able to critically engage with literature, critical texts, and film on animals,
- is able to communicate ideas and theories effectively orally and in writing in a manner appropriate to the intended audience.
Competences
Upon completing this course a student:
- comprehends academic texts and is able to use them in the critical analysis of culture,
- is able to identify speciest content,
- is able to actively participate in class discussions,
- collects and analyzes information effectively.
Assessment criteria
Assessment:
The Research Proseminar is an intensive course focused not only on the selected topic, but
also on acquiring research skills and preparing for writing a master's thesis. Thus, the
amount of work is also greater than in regular courses (equivalent to 8 ECTS). In addition to
reading critical/theoretical texts, watching a film, and class discussions, you will conduct
individual research, work on taking notes, work on analyzing critical texts and asking good
questions; you will collaborate with your colleagues and discuss each other’s projects in
class; finally, you will work on a draft of a (15 page) final essay and (optionally) its revision.
Requirements and grading:
You will be responsible for preparing 5 – 8 good discussion questions for the text of your
choice twice this semester.
Attendance: you are allowed to miss two classes, whether the absences are due to illnesses
or any other reason. Each additional absence with detract from your grade. Missing more
than half of the classes will not allow you to pass.
Grading: to pass the course you need 60% of the total score. Failure to attempt to complete
any major assignment will result in failure for the class.
- active class participation 20% (you can also expect pop-up quizzes: short questions about
the content of the assigned texts)
- discussion questions 20% x 2
- final paper 40% (revision is optional but may improve your grade)
Grading scale:
90-100% - 5 (97-100% - 5!)
83-89% - 4,5
75-82% - 4
68-74% - 3,5
60-67% - 3
Plagiarism. Any detected case of plagiarism (including reasonable evidence that the whole
or parts of your work were AI-generated, which can also mean the use of online translators
or paraphrasing tools) will result in failing the class.
Bibliography
Selections from:
Acampora, Ralph. R, Corporal Compassion
Adams, Carol. "The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory"
Alcott, Louisa May. “Transcendental Wild Oats: A Chapter from an Unwritten Romance”
Bennett, Joshua. Being Property Once Myself
Berger, John. “Why Look at Animals”
Broglio, Ron. “Incidents in the Animal Revolution.”
Cavel, Stanley, et al, Philosophy and Animal Life
Coetzee, J.M., Elizabeth Costello
Derrida, Jacques. The Animal That Therefore I Am.
Diamond, Cora. “Eating Animals, Eating People”
Donaldson Su and Will Kymlicka, Zoopolis. A Political Theory of Animal Rights
GLQ 2015 issue on queer inhumanisms.
Gosset, Che. “Blackness, Animality, and the Unsovereign”
HAraway, Donna. Companion Species Manifesto.
Hattenstone, Simon. “Going Underground: Meet the Man Who Lived as an Animal”
Joy, Melanie. "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows: an Introduction to Carnism."
Kafka, Franz. "Metamorphosis," "A Report to the Academy"
LeDuff, Charlie, “At a Slaughterhouse, Some Things Never Die”
London, Jack. White Fang
Matsukoa, Atsuko, and John Sorenson. Critical Animal Studies: Towards a Trans-Species Social Justice
Myles, Eileen. Afterglow
Nagel, Thomas, "What Is It Like to Be a Bat?
Nocella, Anthony, et.al., Defining Critical Animal Studies
Pick, Anat. Creaturely Poetics.
Potter, Will. Little Red Barns. Hiding the Truth from Farm to Fable
Rediker, Marcus. The Fearless Benjamin Lay
Sax, Boris. "What Is It Like to Be an Octopus”
Singer, Peter. Animal Liberation
Twain, Mark. Mark Twain's Book of Animals.
Tyler, Tom. Animal Encounters.
Waldau, Paul. Animal Studies. An Introduction.
Wharton, Edith. “Kerfol”
Wolfe, Cary. Animal Rites.