Animal Law and Policy

Catalog description

Animals (meaning comprehensively for this purpose non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects) are central to our world in a myriad of ways. Historically, and still today (not without controversy and for better or worse depending both on degree and on your perspective), animals were and are a major source of food, as well as a tool of production as farm labor, transportation, policing and security, military activities, and entertainment and education, an object of scientific and medical research, and work as service and support animals. Animals are also key components - and participants - in our ecology and environment; after all, they have been on the planet in one form or another 500 million years before the first humans are believed to have emerged (and, even then, Darwin might point out that we have them to thank). Moreover, companion animals have been sources of friendship, companionship, and love throughout centuries and especially in modern society where they are often viewed as family members and not as possessions. These attachments, and public concern for the welfare of animals, also result in a determination to protect animals (although arguably in some contexts but not others) from neglect and abuse. For all of these reasons, animals intersect with virtually every aspect of legal concept and practice: property law, contracts, tort, criminal law, environmental law, wills and trusts, constitutional law, international law and trade, and more. And, like every area of law, animal law continues to evolve through legislative and regulatory action, judicial decision, and societal sentiment. That change can be complex, involving considerations of both human and non-human safety and wellbeing, ethical and moral beliefs, and economic interests. In this course, together we will explore themes across the spectrum of how the law touches and treats animals in our society, in our economy, in our homes, and in the wild. We will use a textbook as a starting resource, supplemented by materials from primary and real-world sources and contexts, as points of discussion and discernment. Each class member will also select an individual topic in an area of personal interest to develop in further depth and to share with the class to expand our knowledge. Coursework on which the performance assessment is based will be composed of a series of objective or short-answer written assignments throughout the course, a concise paper and class presentation on the student's chosen individual in-depth topic, a brief take home final examination that also serves as a summative reflection on the course, and class participation.