Animal Law and Ethics (Ellison) - online
Faculty
|
|
| Penny Ellison Adjunct Professor of Law penny_ellison@ca3.uscourts.gov |
Additional Information
Satisfies Senior Writing RequirementNo
Class meets online.
Meeting Times/Location
M 4:30PM - 6:30PM
Online
Category
Seminar
Credits
3.0
This seminar course will focus both on fundamental legal and ethical questions, including human duties toward animals and whether conceiving of rights for animals is appropriate, as well as on an understanding of the current legal and administrative rules regulating the relationship between humans and animals. All viewpoints are welcome. We will discuss the varying viewpoints expressed by animal advocates, including those falling into the category of "animal welfare" or "animal rights." We will discuss the fact that nonhuman animals are considered property under the law and currently have no legal rights, per se, and only limited legal "protections." Discussion of animal rights will necessarily entail an examination of the sources and characteristics of fundamental rights, why animals have historically been denied them, and whether legal rights are appropriately limited to humans. Further, we will discuss whether, if any such rights were recognized, what nonhuman animals should be entitled to them and, if so, to which legal rights they should be entitled. The class will also consider such issues as establishing standing to bring suits on behalf of animals, constitutional issues raised in animal protection cases and an analysis of the law and policy behind the protections afforded (or not afforded) animals under various federal and state laws. We will examine the content and enforcement of state anti-cruelty laws, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Animal Welfare Act and accompanying regulations. The seminar will also include environmental issues as they relate to animals including habitat protection, invasive species conflicts and the environmental effects of food animal production. We will have guest speakers for several sessions. In the past, these speakers have included litigators and legislative advocates from the Humane Society of the United States and public interest law firms, a prosecutor who specializes in animal cruelty together with a humane police officer, and leading legal scholars on animal ethics. As this course is an opportunity to engage in an open dialogue on the potential for developments in this nascent area of law, attendance and participation in class discussion is crucial and laptops are not permitted. The class maintains an active Discussion Board for topics of current interest and meaningful participation there counts toward you class participation grade.
Textbooks
"Animal Rights" by Cass R. Sunstein and Martha C. Nussbaum |