Animals Ethics & Religion

Animal Ethics & Religion
PHILOS 131A
Spring 2021

CLASS TIME: Mon/Wed 4:00-5:20pm;
ZOOM LINK: https://uci.zoom.us/j/91752727914

Professor: Brianne Donaldson
Email: b.donaldson@UCI.edu
Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur WeAnimalsArchive.org

DESCRIPTION

In their definition of religion, Emile Durkheim and Mircea Eliade present the human/animal boundary as a fundamental hallmark of the discipline, one often overlooked in contemporary studies of “animals and religion.” In this course we will utilize this fundamental binary to identify the construction of “human” and “animal” subjectivities in Peter Singer's utilitarianism, Tom Regan's subject-of-a-life, and Derrida's concept of différance. We will use these theoretical tools to analyze religious narratives, including Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Jain, and Buddhist, alongside scientific views and the juncture of species, race, and gender violence. We will identify modes of thinking, feeling, and acting capable of disturbing this conceptual binary, creating new opportunities for multi-species identity formation, community, and response.

Although animal ethics were expressed in global religious traditions going back to antiquity, a sharp human/animal split emerges within Western philosophy (Aristotle), science (Descartes) and the academic study of religion (from Aquinas up to Durkheim and Eliade). We'll examine challenges to this split through philosophical approaches of (1) Identity (e.g. Singer and Regan), (2) Difference (Derrida), as well as an alternative third approach of (3) Indistinction. Using this three-fold framework, we will analyze contemporary approaches to animal ethics in science and global religious-philosophical perspectives as well as in relation to notions of species, race, and gender violence, joining our analysis with experimental modes of thought, feeling, and action capable of creating new opportunities for multi-species knowing and response.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

1. Articulate at least three distinct approaches to animal ethics theory
2. Practice utilizing cultural sources, including data, to understand contemporary animal ethics issues
3. Analyze diverse religious/secular views of animals utilizing theoretical and ethical sources
4. Apply theory and ethics to modern film and personal reflection.

OPENING RECITATION

Opening Recitation:
Khāmemi savva-jīve, savve jive khamantu me/
metti me savva-bhūesu, veraṃ majjha na keṇavi//

I ask pardon of all creatures, may all creatures pardon me.
May I have friendship with all beings and enmity with none.
--Pratikramaṇa-sūtra, 49 (of the Jain tradition)

Source: R. Williams, Jaina Yoga: A Survey of the Medieval Śrāvakācāras (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, [1963] 1991), 207.

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE ME ONLINE! (Spring 2021)

I'll be hosting virtual visiting hours every week and I'd love to have you visit:

Wednesday (starting Week 2): 1-2pm; Zoom link: https://uci.zoom.us/j/95464296143
I also take questions right after M/W class and can chat for about 15 minutes.
Many other times by request for Zoom/phone visits: just contact me (note that I often don't check email after 6pm)
When writing me, please include a greeting such as "Hi _____" or "Dear _____" so I feel like a means to your success as well as my own end; I will endeavor to do the same for you.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Click image below for Amazon link. Students need a copy of this text.

Matthew Calarco, Thinking Through Animals: Identity, Difference, Indistinction (Stanford University Press 2015).

Publisher: Stanford Briefs
ISBN-10 : 0804794049
ISBN-13 : 978-0804794046
Cost: Approx. $10

*OTHER INDIVIDUAL READINGS WILL ALSO BE LINKED IN THE SCHEDULE BELOW.

POLICIES

CONTENT CONSIDERATION
Some of the content in this course may be difficult to read, view, or consider. Nevertheless, it is important to grapple with these difficulties so that our work together is not relegated to the realm of thought and theory alone. I have curated the assignments intentionally and carefully, and provided assignment frameworks so that you approach all tasks with questions in mind; that is, I will never "throw you into the deep end" without tools for intellectual swimming. In additional to these guiding frameworks, you can sometimes also choose your own assignment, such as one of the required films, or the final project. If you find something particularly challenging, I would encourage you to write about it in your Wednesday reflections, or discuss it with peers in your group work, or raise it in conversation with me, your friends, counselor, or family.

CORONA VIRUS HUB FOR STUDENTS
https://uci.edu/coronavirus/students/index.php

ZOOM PRIVACY
I will be recording the lecture sessions each week for those students who cannot attend. I invite you to have your video on during discussion, though leave it to you. Breakout groups on Zoom will not be recorded, so all students can use your camera during that time.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance is important. That said, I'll not be keeping attendance this quarter. If you know that you will not be able to attend on a regular basis for any reason, including technology access, extended illness, extended family emergency, or extended immigration-related issue, please contact me as soon as you are able to and we will discuss a plan forward.

Much of our collective work will happen during class sessions. I will endeavor to record the online classes so you can catch up/follow along if you are absent.
Also, if something has kept you from reading or feeling prepared for class, please still come. You can always "pass" in discussion. So long as this is not a regular occurrence, your engaged presence will still benefit you, your peers, and our collective work.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM
We are here to do the hard work of learning together. Academic dishonesty erodes this goal and your own self confidence, and is a serious academic offense that can result in failing a paper, failing the class, and academic dismissal from the university. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism (copying words, phrases, or ideas from other authors/sources without giving citation credit), copying answers from another student, allowing another student to copy your answers, communicating exam answers to other students during an exam, attempting to use notes or other aids during an exam, or tampering with an exam after it has been corrected and then returning it for more credit. These actions are a violation of the UCI Policies on Academic Honesty <see https://aisc.uci.edu/>. It is your responsibility to read and understand these policies. Note that any instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Integrity Administrative Office for disciplinary action and is cause for a failing grade in the course.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
All of us have different abilities, strengths, and challenges with learning. Students who believe they may need accommodations to succeed in this class are encouraged to register online with the Disability Services Center (or call 949-824-7494) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. This can include priority test-taking, seating preference, transportation, document conversion, among many other possible accommodations. Also, please feel free to meet with me to discuss any ways I can make any aspect of the classroom, materials, or assignments more accessible.

FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY
Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the FRESH Basic Needs Hub and the Basic Needs Coordinator, Andrea Gutierrez, at agordill@exchange.uci.edu. Also, please notify me if you are comfortable doing so. This will enable me to inform you of resources that might be of help.

UCI COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PHONE LINES (24-HRS/DAY)
At-home learning can exacerbate personal, family, and relationship strains. UCI has several resources and services to support well-being and safety. Click here.

ADD/DROP DEADLINES
Students may DROP or ADD a course through 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the second week of classes. https://www.reg.uci.edu/enrollment/adc/adcpolicy.html

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Not applicable

LATE WORK POLICY

Weekly work (quizzes and M/W worksheets) are due by class time unless of emergency. You can discard the lowest score of each assignment. Late M/W worksheets will receive automatic 1-point deduction.
Midterm Analysis: there is a one hour grace period. If turned in later than that, it will receive a one-time 3 point deduction.
Final Exam: This must be done within the allotted window of time; students can choose their time window flexibly over a several day period.

*All work must be turned in 3 days prior to the grades being due to be counted.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

203 Possible Points This Quarter
1. In-class Chat participation (1pt x 15 sessions starting Wk 3a = 15pts) [7%]
2. Theory Quizzes, Weeks 1-4 (10pts ea.; best 5 of 6 = 50pts) [24.5%]
3. Monday Question Sets, Weeks 5-9 (6pts ea.; best 4 of 5 = 24pts) [12%]
4. Wednesday Integrative Reflections, Weeks 5-9 (6pts ea.; best 4 of 8 = 24pts) [12%]
5. Midterm Film Reflection (40pts) [20%]
6. Final Exam (50pts) [24.5%]
7. Extra Credit (Friday, May 7 12-1:20) (10pts)

All work should be your own. I welcome you talking to colleagues and peers, but the final project should reflect your grappling and effort.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS

A. PARTICIPATION
1. In-class Chat participation (15pts)
Starting week 3a through the end of the quarter, students can earn 1 pt per session for participating in in-class chat box questions. The chat is saved after each session so this can be tracked. I will add these points into the Canvas grade chart at the end of each week.

2. Theory Quizzes (50pts)
During Weeks 1-4 (Best 5 of 6 will count; students can do all 6 or skip 1; due Mon/Weds by class time)
10pts each = 50pts [26%]

From session 2a–4b, student will complete six 10-point open-book quizzes on Canvas. These quizzes will include terms and ideas for that day's readings, as well as basic summary questions. Students can do all 6 quizzes or skip 1, for a total of 5. These quizzes will build our vocabulary of thought and action. The quizzes will also provide content and questions for a portion of the final exam. *Quizzes will be available by Saturday, noon and Tuesday 10am, prior to class.

3. Monday Questions Set Worksheets (24pts)
During Weeks 5-9 (Best 4 of 5 will count; students can do all 5 or skip 1; due each Monday at class time)
6pts each = 24pts [13%]

See Question Set Worksheets in "Resources" for directions

Turning in: Upload research charts as one document each Monday before class to Canvas
Grading: These will be graded 1-6; (1) (low effort), 2 (needs improvement), 3 (adequate effort), 4 (good effort), 5 (strong effort), 6 (exceptional effort). As these are primarily for your own skill-building and class participation, they will receive few comments.

4. Wednesday Integrative Reflections (24pts)
During Weeks 5-9 (Best 4 of 5 will count; students can do all 5 or skip 1; due each Wednesday at class time)

See Integrative Reflections Worksheet in "Resources" section below for directions

Turning in: Upload research charts as one document each Wednesday before class to Canvas
Grading: These will be graded 1-6; (1) (low effort), 2 (needs improvement), 3 (adequate effort), 4 (good effort), 5 (strong effort), 6 (exceptional effort). As these are primarily for your own skill-building and class participation, they will receive few comments.

B. PROJECTS
5. Midterm Film Analysis (40pts)
Due: Upload to Canvas by Week 5: Friday, April 30, at 4pm
Students will watch two movies this quarter: (1) Fowl Play, and (2) Another film of your choice from this provided list.
Please see the Film Analysis assignment in "Resources" section below.

6. Final Exam (50pts)
The final exam will cover terms and questions from quizzes, and will draw upon your Question Sets and Reflections. A study guide will be handed out by Week 9.

C. EXTRA CREDIT (6-10pts)
Attend Friday, May 7 (12:00-1:20pm) the Shri Parshvanath Presidential Chair in Ethical Innovations lecture. The Speaker is Dr. Kathrin Herrmann, PhD/DVM of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing at Johns Hopkins University. Her lecture is titled: "Replacement, Reduction & Refinement in Practice: Are We Doing All We Can?"Afterwards, contribute to class Canvas Discussion forum between 5/7 and 5/16.

Register for free here.

Points awarded as follows (up to 10 points):
6pts: RSVP and attend the lecture virtually through Zoom (or watch the video afterwards; you must register to get the video)
8pts: Contribute a comment AND question on the Canvas Discussion forum that clearly demonstrates your thoughtful engagement with the lecture itself, and possibly class content
9pts: Respond thoughtfully to 1 comment or question on the Canvas Discussion forum
10pts: Respond thoughtfully to 2 comments or questions on the Canvas Discussion forum

This is a basic grading guide
GRADE
A           94-100%
A-          90-94%
B+         87-90%
B           83-87%
B-          80-83%
C+         77-80%
C           73-77%
C-          70-73%
D+         67-70%
D           63-67%
D-          60-63%

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

5 methods for taking notes in reading and in class

Bedford Handbook for In-text Citations and Works Cited (helpful guides on p. 4 and p. 10)

Rubrics and Worksheets

midterm_film_analysis_animal_ethics_religions.docx
File Size:	16 kb
File Type:	docx

​Animal Ethics & ReligionPHILOS 131A​Spring 2021​CLASS TIME: Mon/Wed 4:00-5:20pm;ZOOM LINK: https://uci.zoom.us/j/91752727914

DESCRIPTION

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

OPENING RECITATION

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE ME ONLINE! (Spring 2021)

REQUIRED TEXTS

POLICIES

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

Rubrics and Worksheets

WEEKLY SCHEDULE ​(and tips for class preparation)

Week 1​

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

www.briannedonaldson.com

Animal Ethics & Religion
PHILOS 131A
Spring 2021

CLASS TIME: Mon/Wed 4:00-5:20pm;
ZOOM LINK: https://uci.zoom.us/j/91752727914

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (and tips for class preparation)

Week 1