Animals and Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies

Description

Human-animal studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the spaces that animals occupy in human social and cultural worlds. It examines the interactions humans and animals have with each other and the ways animal lives intersect with human societies. Since existing social orders rely on the exploitation of animals to serve human needs, the questions posed by human-animal studies touch upon a wide range of fundamental issues. Animals and Society provides a broad overview of this rapidly growing field. Margo DeMello offers students and scholars a holistic and comprehensive picture of the state of inquiry into the relationships that exist between humans and other animals. She considers interactions between animals and humans in social organizations, such as the family, the legal system, and political and religious institutions. A major focus is the social construction of animals in world cultures and the way in which these social meanings are used to reinforce and perpetuate hierarchical human relationships such as racism, sexism, and class privilege. The book also examines how different human groups construct a range of identities for themselves and for others through animals. This second edition of Animals and Society is fully updated and expanded throughout, enhancing the book’s relevance for student and activist readers alike. It includes many new international examples, all-new case studies, and updated supplementary readings. Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Constructing Animals: Animal Categories 1. Human-Animal Studies 2. Animal-Human Borders 3. The Social Construction of Animals Part II: Using Animals: Human-Animal Economies 4. Animals “in the Wild” and in Human Societies 5. The Domestication of Animals 6. Display, Performance, and Sport 7. The Making and Consumption of Meat 8. The Pet Animal 9. Animals and Science 10. Animal-Assisted Activities Part III: Attitudes Toward Animals 11. Working with Animals 12. Violence to Animals 13. Human Oppression and Animal Suffering Part IV: Imagining Animals: Animals in Human Thought 14. Animals in Symbol and Art 15. Animals in Religion and Folklore 16. Animals in Literature and Film Part V: Knowing and Relating to Animals: Animal Behavior and Animal Ethics 17. Animal Behavior Studies and Ethology 18. The Moral Status of Animals 19. The Animal Protection Movement 20. The Future of the Human-Animal Relationship Bibliography Index