Module LAW3607: ANIMAL LAW

Department: Law

LAW3607: ANIMAL LAW

Prerequisites

• Introduction to English Law and Legal Method (LAW1121)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module will enable students to understand and critique the protection of non-human animals within English Law.
• It will enable students to understand and critically engage with the moral arguments surrounding the legal protection of animals, and their place within the legal system in comparison to that of human beings.
• It will enable students to develop the skills to research and critique the extent to which an animal, fish or bird is protected by law.
• It will explore the interconnectedness of law and ethics and engage students in applying philosophical theories to real-life dilemmas.

Content

• Ethical theories of animal rights and animal welfare.
• Critiquing the anthropocentrism of law.
• Laws protecting non-human animals, birds and aquatic life forms.
• Laws protecting eco-systems and biodiversity.
• The regulation of artificially created life forms.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of animal rights and animal welfare theories and the differences between them.
• The role of anthropocentrism in English Law.
• Demonstrate knowledge of laws relating to the protection of non-human animals.

• Be able to apply theories relating to animal rights and animal welfare to critique the existing law.
• Be able to independently research the law governing non-human animals, and advise on its application.

• The ability to communicating complex ideas and arguments in clear written form.
• The ability to summarise concisely and critically legal rules, principles or values.
• The ability to use theoretical ideas to critique and/or suggest changes to the law.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module is a 10 credit module. The workload can be expected to be half that of a standard 20 credit module. Seminars will normally start in week 2.
• The three lectures will introduce the students to the major theoretical debates in the context of animal law. The contrast between welfare and rights based approaches and anthropocentrism. Seminars will focus on discussion of theoretical perspectives and their application to critique different laws relating to animals, bird, fish or ecosystem.
• The formative zine page is designed to enable students to practice detailed doctrinal research concerning a particular animal, and identifying the key points of critique. It is designed to build confidence in researching and critiquing untaught elements of the law, and practice the combination of description and critique necessary for the summative. Zine pages will be published online as a class yearbook zine to increase public knowledge of animal law.
• The summative 2000 word essay will be on questions which either require critique an element of the law or an a theoretical approach to animal law.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

An A4 zine page on the law relating to a particular animal, bird, fish or ecosystem.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University