LOJK10281U Animals in Society
MSc Programme in Animal Science - Semi-compulsory
MSc Programme in Animal-derived Foods (Food of
Life)
This course focuses on the role of animals in society. Today
relations to animals are complex – animals are not ‘just out there
in Nature’. Animals are used in food production to the benefit of
man and serve as research animals in the medical sector. Moreover,
animals are used in nature preservation, as companion animals and
in competitive sports, but they also serve as prey for anglers and
hunters. The economic aspects of these relations between humans and
animals are important for society. In addition uses of animals may
cause conflicts over how or indeed if we should use animals at all
- and thus highlight how different stakeholders represent different
interests. It is within this field, the course will explore three
aspects of the human uses of animals:
Animals and society.
This element concerns sociological aspects of the use of animals.
Departing in salient issues where conflicts over the use of animals
can be observed, it is discussed how different societal
stakeholders (including e.g. farmers, consumers, citizens, vegans,
vivisectionists, etc) view and legitimize the use of animals for
different purposes - and the values these different perspectives
represent. This part of the course will introduce conceptual tools
that provide insights in the importance of different cultural,
religious and historical backgrounds and thus enable a study of
disagreements over animal uses.
Economics of animals and society.
This part of the course introduces economic aspects of the use of
animals. The point of departure is a discussion of how the keeping
of animals - and the level of welfare these animals experience -
can be analysed in a utility maximizing and/or profit maximizing
framework. The costs and benefits of animal welfare are discussed
taking the position of different stakeholders. Economic efficiency
and necessary trade-offs in relation to animal welfare are
discussed. This leads to a presentation of the economic arguments
for regulating animal welfare using the concept of market failure.
Regulation of animal use.
This element introduces the regulatory aspects of keeping and use
of animals focusing on different regulatory levels (international,
EU and national) and different regulatory instruments. A range of
instruments (law, economic incentives, moral incentives,
information) are introduced, and pros and cons of each type of
regulatory instruments are discussed.
The overall objective of the course is to introduce the students
to societal aspects of the keeping and use of animals. This
includes in particular economic and sociological aspects. After
completion of the course it is expected that the student has
achieved the following qualifications:
Knowledge:
- Can demonstrate a basic understanding of the different roles of
animals in society and societal controversies over different uses
of animals
- Can characterize different stakeholders’ perceptions of animals
and animal uses
- can demonstrate a basic understanding of economic concepts of
importance for analyzing and describing economic aspects of animals
for society.
- Can characterize the economic importance of different uses of
animals
- Have a basic understanding of legal principles used in regulation
of different uses of animals.
Skills:
- Will be able to carry out an analysis of economic and societal
aspects of different uses of animals on a societal level.
- Can analyze and discuss the trade-off between market and
non-market aspects of uses of animals
- Will be able to analyze different stakeholders perceptions of the
use of animals
Competencies:
- Can reflect over societal and economic issues related to concrete
cases where animals are used and discuss these from the point of
view of different stakeholders.
- Can use the acquired knowledge and skills as a basis for
discussion of conflicts over the use of animals and suggest
possible societal robust solutions.
Will be announced on Absalon
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 1
- Lectures
- 28
- Preparation
- 66
- Project work
- 103
- Theory exercises
- 8
- Total
- 206
As
an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 20 minutes---
- Exam registration requirements
Approval of project report
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Internal examiner
- Re-exam
Oral reexamination
Criteria for exam assesment
In order to obtain the highest grade (12), the student should be able to demonstrate the achievement of the knowledge, skills and competences listed in the in the section 'Learning Outcome' above.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LOJK10281U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- 40
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- The Study Board for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
Course responsibles
- Jesper Lassen (4-7b7d7284517a7783803f7c863f757c)
- Tove Christensen (4-85808776517a7783803f7c863f757c)