This course will provide an interdisciplinary and in-depth survey of the growing and dynamic field of animal law. We will address the historical status of animals in the law, how our society views animals, the capacities of animals, how ethics relates to animal treatment, how animals are currently utilized in society, the current application of animal protection laws (including their limitations and efforts to strengthen them), as well emerging efforts to re-classify some animals within our legal system. We will consider how legal systems, specific cases, legislation, and cultural values have affected and continue to affect the evolution of this field. Because this is a field where new developments occur regularly, we will incorporate developments and new legal issues as they arise. |