The module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the historical development of and status of animals in legal systems and whether this needs to change. The module seeks to develop the student’s knowledge of how animal interests are currently protected both in the UK and other jurisdictions, with a view to identifying gaps in their current protection, and to demonstrate how animals are often excluded/marginalised in social justice debates. Students will therefore become well-acquainted with the animal welfare paradigm and its limitations.

Beyond the study of the doctrinal law, students will be encouraged to engage in topical debates surrounding the protection of animal interests through the legal system. Students will develop the ability to identify the key positions between welfare based and rights-based protection, and to form a view on whether one approach is preferable over others.

The module encourages students to form a critical understand ing of the philosophical and ethical arguments advanced by animal rights scholars in favour of their position. Students will explore case studies of animal rights ‘in practice’ from, including but not limited to, the US non-human rights project. It is envisaged that these case studies would change depending on the configuration of the teaching team and the relative research interests. From this, students will be able to identify how the philosophical positions have – and could – influence the development of the positive law through both litigation and legislation. Finally, the module will provide students with an awareness of the limitations of the rights-based approach from both theoretical and practical viewpoints.

(LO1) Students will be able to identify, define, and critically analyse the current law relating to animals

(LO2) Students will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theoretical approaches to regulating animals

(LO3) Students will be able critically to assess the effectiveness of the current legal framework for regulating animals

(LO4) Students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the social, political and economic factors that influence animal protection through the law and the value of legal approaches such as third party interventions.

(S1) Study skills (conduct independent research and critically analyse a new field of law)

(S2) Problem-solving skills (applying legal knowledge to real-world situations)

(S3) Verbal communication and reasoning skills (in seminars and in a group presentation)

(S4) Research skills

The module will be organised around, and intended to cover, six key themes:

• Introduction to the Law and Animals, The Nature of Animals, History of the Legal Status of Animals
• Animal Law in UK legislation
• Comparative Animal Law: EU, US and Switzerland
• Animal Law debates: Gaps, Issues, and Opportunities
• Animal Law debates: e.g. Welfarism v Abolitionism/Rights
• Animal Law debates: e.g. Religious freedom vs. Animal protection

Teaching Method 1: Lecture

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12 hours (6 x 2 hour lectures)

Description: These lectures will provide students with the core concepts (doctrinal and theoretical) to support discussion-led learning in seminars. Lectures will introduce them to the principal legal issues and scholarly debates on specific topics. They will also provide support and guidance on directed self-study in preparation for seminars and assessment.

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2: Seminars

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 7.5 (5 x 90 minute seminars)

Description: Students will attend five ninety-minute seminars. These sessions will take place on a fortnightly cycle. Students are expected to prepare thoroughly for these sessions in advance. These sessions will interrogate various module topics in detail, offering students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and consolidate their independent learning of the subject.

At tendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 132

Description: Self-directed learning tasks (e.g., preparation for seminars, research, revision, group assessment work and assessment preparation etc).