Animals in Society 1: Introduction

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total Time Commitment: 60 contact hours total consisting of: 24 hours lectures; 12 hours tutorials; and 24 hours seminars

An estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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.

• 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 our current relationships with non-human animals have developed and are maintained.

• 750 word excursion report (15%) due approximately week 5;
• 1000 word research essay (25%) due approximately week 10;
• 2 x up to 2 minute Intra-semester oral presentations (10%) completed during tutorials in weeks 3-7 and 8-12; and a
• 2 hour end of semester examination (50%) during the exam period

N/A

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

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.

Q Fever

Students enrolling in this subject 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.