Animal Welfare and the Ethics of Animal Use (APBI 315)
This multi-disciplinary course helps students to develop an intellectual framework for
understanding issues involving animal welfare and the ethics of animal use in agriculture,
science, and society.
Learning objectives
• To develop skills in drawing upon different disciplines in understanding and discussing animal
welfare and animal ethics issues;
• To develop awareness of the diversity of factors (values, knowledge, technology, regulation
and economics) that enter into decisions about animal use;
• To develop skills in finding and critically evaluating information as a basis for problem solving;
• To develop communication skills through presenting material to the class and by discussing
issues with others whose views may be different from their own.
Topics
• Scientific research designed to understand and improve animal welfare (recognizing pain and
distress, understanding animals’ environmental preferences, etc.);
• Philosophical positions on animal use (rights-based views, utilitarian views, etc.) and the
diversity of ethical views of the relation between humans and other species;
• Practical issues involving animal welfare and ethical concerns that arise in agriculture, wildlife
management, animal research, and use of companion animals.
Style of learning
Most classes involve exercises and discussion based on readings that must be done before the
class. A high level of attendance and participation is important for success.
Term papers
An important part of the course is the term paper, with each student doing a paper on a
different topic. Topics can be broad, such as rodeos, veal production, or horse racing. Topics
can also be relatively specific such as the leg-hold trap, removal of velvet antlers, the Draize eye
irritancy test, or the use of non-animal models in cancer research. A few students may arrange
to choose a different type of topic related to animal welfare and/or animal ethics. The term
paper should be an essay of about roughly 3000-4500 words.
Student presentations
1. During the course, each student gives a brief oral presentation on a current event involving
animals. Four students will give a presentation, not to exceed 3 minutes, at the beginning of
each class.
2. In the final classes, each student will do a presentation of their term paper topic. Some will
be 10-minute oral presentations. Others will be web-based presentations created on a blog
platform. Instruction on how to prepare oral and web-based presentations will be given in class.
Evaluation
Evaluation is based on written work that involves research and critical thinking, not factual
recall. Evaluation emphasizes comprehension of concepts, critical thinking, independent
research and effective communication, as evidenced by assignments, in-class discussion, a term
paper, and an oral or electronic presentation to the class.
Assignment 1. Analyzing an issue
Assignment 2. Critical reading of a scientific review
Assignment 3. Integrating the science readings
Assignment 4. Integrating the ethics readings
Term paper (research on a specific issue)
Oral or web-page presentation
Attendance
Participation (including current event)
Bonus marks for optional field trips (maximum of 2)
5
10
10
10
35
10
10
5
2
102
Textbook
Required: Understanding Animal Welfare: The Science in its Cultural Context, by
David Fraser, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, 2008.
Optional: Animals and Ethics: An Overview of the Philosophical Debate, 3rd Edition,
by Angus Taylor, Broadview Press, Peterborough, 2009 (other editions of this book
are also fine).
Outline of topics (the order will vary slightly)
Introduction
Ethical vs. empirical issues
Values, knowledge, technology, regulation, and economics
Scientific approaches to animal welfare
Public concerns about animal welfare and the emergence of animal welfare science
Abnormal behaviour
Disease, injury and production
Stress
Affective states
Natural living
Preferences and motivation
Human-animal interaction
Philosophical approaches to animal issues
Utilitarianism
Rights-based approaches
Traditional husbandry ethics
Communitarian/feminist approaches
Specific topics
Wide range of topics covered in student and guest presentations