Dogs and Cats: Anthropological subjects
| Module title | Dogs and Cats: Anthropological subjects |
|---|---|
| Module code | ANT3100 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Julien Dugnoille (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
The module explores human-dog and human-cat interactions, and some academic approaches to these interactions, which build upon issues raised but not explored in ‘Animals and Society’. More specifically, in ‘Dogs and Cats: Anthropological subjects’, you will consider what theoretical and analytical approaches have emerged in the past few decades which help both academic and lay audiences understand the key and unique role played by dogs and cats in human societies, and why it can be said that dogs and cats are particularly potent anthropological subjects. You will also explore some topical issues related to human-dog and human-cat interactions, such as the impact of cats on biodiversity, zoonotic transmission in the home, the flexible personhood of companion animals, dog culling and biopolitics, the connection between the concept of breed and that of race, the controversial consumption of cats and dogs in various parts of the world, or the ubiquitous presence of dogs and cats on social media.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to:
1. introduce you to topical debates in 'anthrozoology' through engagement with a wide range of ethnographic case studies related to cats and dogs;
2. provide you with further tools and information needed to analyse, in a theoretically rigorous manner, the many and varied ways in which humans think about, and interact with, cats and dogs.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. debate on a large range of human interactions with cats and dogs;
- 2. discuss current anthropological implications of the different ways in which humans think about and interact with cats and dogs, with a level of detail;
- 3. apply appropriate theoretical models to facilitate an advanced analysis of topical human-cat and human-dog interactions;
- 4. situate specific human-cat/dog interactions within socio-historical context
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. show very good understanding of the synergies and conflicts between the different branches of anthropology (posthuman/critical/medical), in relation to theorising human-cat/dog interactions;
- 6. challenge the nature of anthropological knowledge and demonstrate an ability to consider human-cat/dog relationships in a reflexive and critically analytical manner;
- 7. understand and articulate the ethical dimensions of human-cat/dog interactions, especially in relation to the practical application of anthropological knowledge beyond the human;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. plan, undertake and present written work of a scholarly standard that demonstrates a very good understanding of anthropological aims, methods and theoretical considerations and engages with the (published) work of others;
- 9. engage in constructive group discussions, and present/defend material orally in a cogent way (during seminars).
Syllabus plan
The module will explore a wide range of ethnographic examples which detail how humans (including anthropologists, sociologists and philosophers) think about and interact with cats and dogs. Current theoretical issues will also be explored.
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Perspectivism and anthropology ‘beyond the human’
- Medical anthrozoology and Zoonoses
- Breeds, racism, imperialism and slavery
- Commodification and resistance
- Animal (cat/dog)-assisted therapy
- Cruelty, fear, violence and childhood
- Cats, dogs, and technology
- Cats, dogs, and social media
- Critical Animal Studies
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hours per week comprising of lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 44 | Weekly reading for lectures |
| Guided independent study | 24 | Preparing for formative assessments |
| Guided independent study | 60 | Research and writing of essays |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 500 words | 1-3, 6-8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic Essay | 50 | 1,500 words | 1-3, 6-8 | Written |
| Critical Review | 40 | 1,500 words | 1-3, 6-8 | Written |
| Tutorial Participation | 10 | Weekly, as part of group discussions | 1-9 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic Essay (50%) | Topic Essay of 1,500 words | 1-3, 6-8 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Critical review (50%) | Critical review of 1,500 words | 1-3, 6-8 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Calarco, M. 2008. Zoographies: The Question of the Animal from Heidegger to Derrida. Columbia University Press.
Francione, G and Garner, R. 2010. The Animal Rights Debate: Abolition or Regulation? Columbia University Press.
Hribal, J. 2011. Fear of the animal planet: The Hidden History of Animal Resistance. AK Press
Idema, W. L. 2019. Mouse Vs. Cat in Chinese Literature: Tales and Commentary. University of Washington Press.
Miyao, D. 2019. Cinema Is a Cat: A Cat Lover's Introduction to Film Studies. University of Hawai’i Press
Oliver, K. 2009. Animal Lessons: How They Teach Us to Be Human. Columbia University Press.
Skabelund, A. 2019. Empire of Dogs Canines, Japan, and the Making of the Modern Imperial World. Cornell University Press.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web-based and electronic resources:
ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Key words search
Animals, pets, human-animal interactions
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 26/11/2020 |
| Last revision date | 27/02/2025 |
