INQ-270 | Animals in the Humanities

Full Title: Animals in the Humanities

Topic Description:

This is a course on the history, philosophy, and religious culture of animals and is concerned with how humans have conceived of and interacted with animals and how they have expressed this in the Humanities. It examines how human society has been inseparably involved with animals—dependent on, fascinated with, horrified by, lord and master over, contemplative of, and caring for them. Animals have been food, have provided amusement and sport, and have been workers, therapists, and test subjects. Without the help of animals—from the earthworm to the elephant and horse—human civilization is unthinkable. But the humanities would also be unthinkable: animals have been always present in our reflections on the human condition in literature, art, and religion.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: December 2012