Course Summary
Explore the relationships between animals and institutions, and the impact that these relationships have on animals, humans, and the environment.Key Learning Points
- Learn about the ways in which animals are used in various institutions, including zoos, laboratories, and farms
- Examine the ethical and moral implications of using animals in these contexts
- Understand the impact that these relationships have on ecosystems and the environment
Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have
- Animal Welfare Specialist
- USA: $55,000 - $75,000
- India: INR 5,00,000 - INR 7,00,000
- Spain: €30,000 - €40,000
- Zookeeper
- USA: $25,000 - $40,000
- India: INR 2,50,000 - INR 4,00,000
- Spain: €15,000 - €25,000
- Animal Rights Activist
- USA: $30,000 - $50,000
- India: INR 3,00,000 - INR 5,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €30,000
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between animals and institutions
- Gain insight into the ethical implications of using animals in various contexts
- Be able to critically evaluate the impact that these relationships have on ecosystems and the environment
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- No previous knowledge or experience required
- Basic understanding of animal behavior and ecology is recommended
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Self-paced online course
- Video lectures
- Interactive quizzes and assignments
Similar Courses
- Animal Behavior and Communication
- Wildlife Conservation
Notable People in This Field
- Temple Grandin
- Peter Singer
Related Books
Description
This course explores animals within the context of the functional relationships that sociologists call “institutions.” We first examine the use of animals in laboratory science. We then examine the controversial transformation of animals into “livestock” and "meat." We also explore the perspectives of people committed to rejecting the construction and use of animals as food. Next, we focus on some of the roles of animals in human entertainment with particular attention to dog fighting and zoos. Finally, we investigate animal health and welfare through the lens of dilemmas in veterinary medicine and decisions in animal shelters.
Knowledge
- Describe the status of animals used in research.
- Identify the trends that led to modern industrial livestock production in the United States.
- Determine the most appropriate roles of zoos in modern societies.
- Identify dilemmas faced by veterinarians and animal shelter workers.
Outline
- Science
- Course Introduction Video
- Animals in Laboratories Part I
- Animals in Laboratories Part II
- Animals in Laboratories Part III
- Optional Course Readings
- Animals in Laboratories Quiz
- Agriculture
- The Animal-Industrial Complex Part I
- The Animal-Industrial Complex Part II
- To Eat or Not to Eat Animals
- Sport, Entertainment, and Education
- The Meaning of Animal Sport Part I
- The Meaning of Animal Sport Part II
- Captivity (Pros of Zoos)
- Captivity (Cons of Zoos)
- Cultural and Historical Contexts Quiz
- Health and Welfare
- Animal Sheltering Part I
- Animal Sheltering Part II
- Veterinary Medicine Part I
- Veterinary Medicine Part II
- Optional Readings
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the fascinating relationship between animals and institutions with this engaging course on Coursera. Users have praised the course for its informative content and engaging presentation, resulting in a high overall rating. Many users found the course to be a great introduction to the topic and appreciated the use of real-world examples to illustrate key concepts.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Real-world examples used to illustrate key conceptsPros from User Reviews
- Informative content
- Engaging presentation
- Great introduction to the topic
- Well-structured course material
- Experienced and knowledgeable instructors
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the pace of the course too slow
- Lack of in-depth analysis on certain topics
- Limited opportunities for interaction with instructors and peers
- Not suitable for those with advanced knowledge of the subject
- Some technical glitches reported by users