We spend our lives surrounded by animals: they are our pets, our food, and cohabitants of our planet. And yet, our relationships with them are anything but straightforward. Are they commodities that can be bought and sold or our distant relatives on the tree of life? And what do we owe to animals who share our world but cannot voice their consent? In this course, we will examine a series of case studies drawn from a range of cultures and historical moments to examine what looking at animals can tell us about what it means to be human.Foundations in Critical Studies introduces critical thinking skills essential to college-level work in the humanities and sciences. Students develop their critical capacities through close reading and active response to cultural texts and phenomena drawn from multiple disciplines and reflecting diverse perspectives on major themes or topics in contemporary life.

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