Animal Ethics & Welfare is a Level 4
course. This means it is above the UK ‘A Level’ standard in terms of
language and expectations of the student. As such, it is
more demanding than a Level 3 course (GCSE level and expectations).
This course is ideal for anyone wanting to
pursue a career in animal welfare or working for a campaigning charity such as BUAV, Animal Aid, PETA,
WSPA, RSPCA, Born Free, Uncaged etc.
The course has the aim of investigating what it
means when we say “Animal Rights” and how animals fit into a world
dictated by humans.
The approach to the course is based upon a pro-animal point of view.
Overall,
the course aims to make you think and seriously consider how humans
“see” non-human animals that is, their attitude toward non-human
animals and upon what that attitude is based.
Differences between
Animal Welfare & Animal Rights. The main controversies concerning
Animal Ethics. Animal Activism:Life-style, Animal Extremism, global
perspectives.
Differences & consequences that exist within the concept of Animal Rights.
Attitudes towards Animals
The scientific basis of animals. Historic & current attitudes toward animals. Religion & animals.
Module
3
Module
4
Ethology, Comparative Psychology, Philosophy
Links
between academic interests & the non-human animal. Definitions of:
ethology, philosophy, comparative psychology; animal behaviour; human
animal behaviour; philosophy of attitudes toward the non-human animal. The Moral Status of Non-human animals. Contemporary proponents of Animal Ethics & Welfare. Animal cognition.
Uses of Animals – Experimentation & Research
Laboratory uses of animals (UK). Current basic welfare standards (UK).
The ‘3R’s’ of animal welfare:
Reduce, Replace, Refine; acceptability of the 3 R’s; who implements/
controls them, the alternatives.
Why enrichment is not always a priority.
Module
5
Module
6
Uses of Animals – Human Well-being & Gain
Animals used for human well-being. Animals used for human gain
Consequences to human well-being & gain. The human animal & non-human animal
Ethics & Welfare – Evidence from Animal Behaviour
Historical behaviour studies. Current behaviour studies. Non-human and human animal behaviours
Promoting proper welfare & ethical treatment of the non-human animal
