Environmental Studies 321NH - Conference Courses in Environmental Studies: 'Animal Tales: Narratives of Non-Human Animals'

"The animal, what a word!" Under the gaze of his cat, Derrida ponders the difficulty of representing the non-human animal. Yet, animals permeate the stories we tell. How do various narrative modes impact our relationships with animals? How do different cultural histories and perspectives of animals affirm or challenge assumptions regarding the non-human? Given the ongoing Sixth Extinction, can stories about animals compel us to envision a multispecies justice that ensures conditions of livability for all? To explore these questions, students will critically examine the aesthetics, ethics, and politics of animal representations in literature, cinema, art, and museum exhibits.

Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors; Prereq: 8 credits in humanities or social sciences.