FSSY 107 - Thinking Animals

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

This four-credit hour interdisciplinary seminar looks at the ways in which humans think about the animal and how they imagine their relationship to it. It examines representations of animal existence in literature, film, and critical essays and analyzes the attitudes and projections that underlie these constructs. The discussion will center on paradigm-shifting constructions of the animal such as post-modern anthropomorphism and the concept of becoming animal. Emphasis is placed on honing expressive and analytic skills, both written and oral. Various perspectives will be brought to bear on the theme. Questions we will explore include: What is "animal"? What is the connection between animals and ourselves? How do we know animals and what do we know? Is there "good" and "bad" anthropomorphism? How does language construct the "beast"? Does a documentary really document animal existence? Do animated films prevent a deeper understanding of animal existence or do they contribute to the discourse?

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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