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This course explores the role of imagery and narrative in producing historical and contemporary ideas about ‘animality’ and ‘speciesism’ across a range of texts and media (including mythology, fables and bestiaries; wildlife documentaries; contemporary art; graphic novels; animal biographies; online activism; social media). Students will also learn about intersectional theory and its use in the field of Critical Animal Studies.
This course explores the role of imagery, narrative and discourse in constituting historical and contemporary representations of nonhuman animals, human-animal relations and specieism across a wide range of texts and media (including fables, bestiaries, wildlife documentaries, activist art, science fiction, popular gastronomy, graphic novels, and more). The lectures will move between focusing on representations of nonhuman animals in certain kinds of texts or media (eg, fables, graphic novels, documentaries) to close readings of particular species in selected genres, stories or imagery. Human cultural practices involving nonhuman animals will also be explored through examination of fictional and nonfictional accounts. The course will be taught primarily using theoretical and methodological approaches derived from English, Cultural Studies and Critical Animal Studies.This course can be used towards an English major or minor. BA students who major in English would normally take at least two 100-level 15 point ENGL courses (which must include at least one of the following: ENGL117, ENGL102 or ENGL103), at least three 200-level 15 point ENGL courses, and at least two 300-level 30 point ENGL courses. This course is also co-coded CULT335 and can be used towards a Cultural Studies major or minor. Please see the BA regulations or a student advisor for more information.
In this course you will learn:To explore how nonhuman animals have been historically represented – in writing and imagery – across a range of textual domains and genres (with a focus on western culture)To identify and critique assumptions, prejudices and anthropocentric discourses related to nonhuman animals and human-animal relationshipsTo learn and apply key terms and concepts in the field of Human-Animal StudiesTo evaluate different anthropomorphic depictions of nonhuman animals in writing and visual cultureTo analyze alternative modes of representing human relationships to nature and other species
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Any 30 points at 200 level from CULT or ENGL, orany 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
CULT335
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Annie Potts
There is no final exam for this course.
• 'Under the Skin' by Michel Faber• 'Laika' by Nik AbadzisRequired readings will be posted on Learn prior to lectures.
Domestic fee $1,687.00
International fee $7,900.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see Humanities .