State of Human-Animal Studies
This
time of year, for most of us, is about two things: lists and
resolutions. Best movies of 2011? Best viral videos of 2011? How about
best animal viral videos of 2011? (Check out Huffington Post and Videogum,
both of which have their own top ten lists). For resolutions, for me at
least, I'm simultaneously planning how many pounds I can lose in the
upcoming year (all of which will be gained back, with interest) while I
go through the house and eat all of the leftover Christmas cookies and
candies.
There's
just something about the turning of the calendar which makes us take
stock: how have we done? How can we do better? Is this pair of sweats the
only pants I can honestly fit in anymore?
So keeping in the spirit of the New Year, here's my State of Human-Animal Studies report, circa December 31, 2011.
Back in 2002, Kenneth Shapiro, editor of Society & Animals and Executive Director of Animals and Society Institute, in an editorial in S&A,
called the state of human-animal studies "solid, at the margin." He was
referring to the growth of the field, based on new dissertations,
professional organizations with divisions in HAS, and the numbers of
scholars and courses in the field, compared to the number of obstacles
keeping HAS from further growth.
Today,
10 years later, it seems like we can bump Ken's assessment up to
something a bit more optimistic -- the margin appears to be coming closer
towards the center. There are now over 300 courses in the field being
taught at colleges and universities around the world, with new programs
developed in Germany, New Zealand, Australia, France, Sweden, Israel,
the UK, and the Netherlands. The HSUS/ASI Animals and Society Course
Awards are growing, with new applicants each year. There are now 13 in
print or online journals devoted to everything from animal ethics to
animals and the law. There are conferences occurring a few times a month
around the world, with the Minding Animals conference and
pre-conferences leading the pack. There is now a fellowship program,
offered by Animals and Society Institute and Wesleyan Animal Studies,
now in its sixth year, which offers a half dozen scholars from a variety
of fields the opportunity to work on their projects in a collegial
academic environment. There are more publications devoted to HAS than
ever before; Temple
University Press, Brill, Reaktion, Johns Hopkins University Press,
Columbia University Press, University of Minnesota Press, Penn State
Press, Duke University Press, Berg, and Palgrave MacMillan all have
dedicated animal series or large numbers of animal books.
Perhaps most exciting is the growth of majors, minors, and graduate programs in the field.
At
this time, there are three major programs in human animal studies in
the United States (at Eastern Kentucky University, Carroll College, and
Humane Society University), one specialization within a major (at Notre
Dame de Namur University), and three minor programs (at University of
Redlands, New York University, and Canisius College).
Other
universities, in the U.S. and elsewhere, offer graduate programs, such
as Arizona State University (graduate certificate in treating animal
abuse), Canisius College (masters degree in anthrozoology), Colorado
State University (graduate program in environmental ethics and animal
welfare), the American College of Applied Science (animal behavior
counseling program), Humane Society University (masters and graduate
certificates in animal policy and advocacy, animal studies, and humane
leadership), Southampton University (human-animal interactions), Tufts
University (animals and public policy), the University of British
Columbia (animal welfare), University of Denver (animal assisted social
work), the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Anthrozoology), and
Michigan State University (animal studies).
Still
other programs offer individuals the opportunity to develop a
professional specialization that helps animals, such as Duquesne
University's humane leadership major, Humane Society University's School
of Professional Development, Madonna University's new certificate in
animal cruelty investigation, Thompson River University's certificate in
animal welfare, Rutgers University Animals, Community and the Law
certificate, and the universities which offer certificates in
animal-assisted interaction (Bircham International University, Oakland
University, Tri-County Community College, University of North Texas, and
Oranim College), humane education (Institute for Humane Education),
wildlife rehab (Lees McRae College).
Never
before has the environment looked so good for academics who want to
study issues related to animals. Never before have undergrad and
graduate students had as many opportunities as they do now to take what
they love -- animals -- and make that love into a college education and
possible career. So to recap the State of Human-Animal Studies at the
dawn of 2012:
Forecast appears bright and less marginal than before!
Margo DeMello, 12-26-11
Published by admin on 12/30/2011 15:37:21
