Animals and Capitalism: Why do we treat some animals as beloved companions while others are commodities? Animals and Capitalism examines how humans assign value to nonhuman animals—both symbolically and materially—within a capitalist system. We’ll explore how cultural, political, and economic forces shape our views on animals and influence industries, laws, and consumer behavior.
Through class discussions, reflective journaling, and group presentations, students will critically analyze how and why animals are commodified. Readings will include philosophical and sociological texts that examine capitalism’s role in shaping our relationships with other animals, as well as ethical and legal perspectives on commodification and consumption of other animals (e.g., as companions, food, entertainment, and more). At the end of the course, students should be able to articulate how their own values shape their understanding of commodified animals, as well as how the mainstream social values around commodification of animals are shaped more broadly through our social institutions (e.g., family, religion, economic, political, etc.).
Through class discussions, reflective journaling, and group presentations, students will critically analyze how and why animals are commodified. Readings will include philosophical and sociological texts that examine capitalism’s role in shaping our relationships with other animals, as well as ethical and legal perspectives on commodification and consumption of other animals (e.g., as companions, food, entertainment, and more). At the end of the course, students should be able to articulate how their own values shape their understanding of commodified animals, as well as how the mainstream social values around commodification of animals are shaped more broadly through our social institutions (e.g., family, religion, economic, political, etc.).
- Enseignant: Erin Kidder