Animals in Society 1: Introduction

Subject DASC10002 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Held over the period of the semester on various days - to be confirmed by subject coordinator
Total Time Commitment:

Thirty-six hours of lectures and 24 hours of tutorials and seminars.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Melbourne School of Land & Environment (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This course is designed to encourage students to begin to think about how and why animals are so integral to human society. We will investigate the human-animal relationships, where they originated, during domestication, and where they are now. We will examine in detail some key relationships between humans and animals, including animals as pets, in agriculture, as research subjects, in educational roles and as pests. We will discuss the changing attitudes of humans towards animals throughout time and talk about humankind's moral and ethical obligation to animal wellbeing. Within this discussion we will introduce animal welfare science and discuss some of the current animal welfare issues in livestock industries around the world. Finally, we will look to the future and where the relationship between humans and animals may be headed.

Learning Outcomes:
  • Appreciate the physical, social and psychological interdependence that exists between humans and nonhuman animals
  • Comprehend the complexity of debate concerning the costs and benefits to humans and animals of having animals embedded within our societies
  • Be familiar with the historical, social, economic, cultural, biological and moral contexts within which out current relationships with non-human animals have developed and
    are maintained.
Assessment:
  • 1000 word research essay (20%) – end of week 10,
  • 750 word excursion report (15%) – end of week 5,
  • 4 x 12 question multiple choice quizzes (conducted on LMS) – 2.5% each (total 10%),
  • Media Journal (collection of 10 articles presented with 2-3 sentence summaries and a classification) (5%), and
  • 2 hour end of semester examination (50%).
Prescribed Texts:

N/A

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Upon completion of the course students should be skilled at using the knowledge acquired in the course to objectively and critically evaluate current issues involving animals in society - including issues with wild animals, recreational animals, animals used for science and medicine, agricultural animals and companion animals.

Notes:

Q Fever

Students enrolling in the Melbourne School of Land and Environment are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common preventable condition which, while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Your course coordinator will advise you of this requirement prior to commencement of the study semester. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private medical coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial re-imbursement for vaccine costs.

Further information about Q Fever can be found at: http://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/current-students/your-subjects/q-fever-information.html

Related Breadth Track(s): Living with Animals

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