Animals have become prominent, not just in media and culture but recently also in media and cultural studies (and disciplines like history, philosophy and law). The omnipresence of animals in contemporary audiovisual and popular culture, shows how important and significant they (still) are to us humans. Moreover, our images of non-human animals have an enormous impact on the way we relate to them in real life – and vice versa.

Starting from this recognition, since the 1990s the new academic discipline under the name of Animal Studies has developed a theoretically informed perspective within the social sciences and the ‘human-ities’ (sic). The lectures in this course offer an introduction to a new and internationally fast-developing academic field, and is therefore also fit for advanced students in other (like the above-mentioned) disciplines.

Lecturer

Day, time, location and costs

• 13 February - 19 March 2024
• Tuesday 11:00-15:00
• Oudemanhuispoort, D0.09
• Costs: € 210 (AUV-members € 189)

Important to know

• The registration deadline for this OUC was 22 January; registration for this OUC is no longer possible.
• For the current study schedule, please consult the UvA timetable website
• You can only audit an OUC, which means that you may only attend lectures and cannot attend seminars, take part in the examination, or obtain ECTS credits.

Study materials

• Textbook: Deborah Lupton, The Internet of Animals: Human-Animal Relationships in the Digital Age (Polity Press: London, 2023)
• A reader with separate articles.

Public programme Humanities

This Open UvA Course is part of the Faculty of Humanities' public programme. Beside Open UvA Courses, the public programme also comprises special lectures and series of courses. The public programme is intended for alumni, employees looking for extra training, and all others who are interested in art, culture, philosophy, language and literature, history and religion.