HUMN 317: Animal Ethics + Creativity

Creativity is a part of the day-to-day flourishing of all beings. Humans and other beings creatively problem-solve, produce knowledge and meaning, communicate with others, and play. Human creativity is generated in relation to other life forms; throughout history, other animals, plant-life and mineral bodies have played a central role in how meaning is made in human cultures. This course examines the relationality between humans and other lifeforms. It looks at the physical involvement of other animals in knowledge creation, and how other animals are represented in text, visual and auditory forms. The course asks students to consider how the involvement of other animals in creative processes and their outcomes have consequences for both humans and other animals. Critical thought from a range of disciplines is examined, such as ethics of care, ecofeminism, biology, philosophy, zoosemiotics, ecopoetics, indigenous thought, fiction. The course includes lectures and readings, and students will participate in discussions, presentations and written assignments.