Moodle at Eckerd College 2024-25 Academic Year

This course provides students with conceptual, methodological, practical, and theoretical training in multispecies ethnography. This qualitative research method facilitates contextual examinations of the human-animal interface and considers (i) how animals shape human actions, experiences, and identities, and (ii) how they fit within cultural, historical, and other contexts. By exploring these dynamics and critically considering the processes that underlie them, this class encourages the development of new and richer perspectives on a wide range of contexts (including cultural contexts, ethnographic field sites, zoos, aquariums, research labs, veterinary clinics, conservation areas, animal sanctuaries, etc.). It also develops comparative and critical considerations of human-animal intersections in diverse sociocultural contexts while encouraging students to consider their own experiences and assumptions in the context of a broader multispecies world. Prerequisite: AZ 200 or permission of the instructor.

Practicum in Animal Studies II: Second semester of field work in the community which allows for the practical application of Animal Studies principles. Requires 130 hours of supervised work in an animal-related setting.

Practicum in Animal Studies II: Second semester of field work in the community which allows for the practical application of Animal Studies principles. Requires 130 hours of supervised work in an animal-related setting.

Integrate, discuss and present theories, professional studies and practices from sub-disciplines of Animal Studies. Complete capstone research project to identify and solve problem relevant to issues encountered by professionals in chosen sub-discipline. Prerequisite: AZ 344

This course serves as a senior seminar in which Animal Studies majors will integrate their accumulated knowledge, writing skills, and communication abilities and use this body of knowledge to (1) explore, discuss, and present theories and practices relevant to the field, (2) identify and engage with case studies and issues related to the various subfields of Animal Studies, and (2) develop an independent research project that identifies and solves (or critically engages with) a problem relevant to issues encountered by professionals in their chosen sub-discipline of Animal Studies. Pre-Requisite: AZ 344.

Integrate, discuss and present theories, professional studies and practices from sub-disciplines of Animal Studies. Complete capstone research project to identify and solve problem relevant to issues encountered by professionals in chosen sub-discipline. Prerequisite: AZ 344

Senior Thesis

In recent years, zoos and aquariums have been subjected to much criticism. However, many people believe that zoos play a vital role in education and conservation. This course will take an objective look at the role of the modern zoo. Students will explore topics such as zoo animal welfare, enrichment, species survival plans, and conservation education.

Introduction to the basic concepts of ecology and evolution and how they relate to the diversity, structure, and function of life on earth.