Scribner Seminar Program
Course Description
Animals in History
Instructor(s): Tillman Nechtman, History
Description: What is an animal? Do animals have a history? Students in this class
will address these and other provocative questions about animals, humans and the history
the two groups share. Students will probe into the philosophical, theological, and
historical distinctions that have been made between humans and animals; study the
impact that European imperialism had on the animal world; and explore animals as historical
actors and agentive subjects. The abiding purpose of the course will be to have students
finish their semester thinking about agency, subjectivity, mastery and identity in
new and creative ways.
Course Offered