Unit information: Wild Things: Humans and other animals in History in 2021/22

Unit name	Wild Things: Humans and other animals in History
Unit code	HIST20115
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Adrian Howkins
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of History (Historical Studies)
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

We tend to approach history from a human perspective. But what happens if we step beyond our own species, and include animals in history? How does an animal focus reframe our understanding of war? Why does looking at tigers, elephants and snakes change our understanding of colonisation? Animal history has emerged as an important area in recent decades. Extending from the early modern period to the beginning of the twenty-first century, this unit aims to explore not only the roles of animals in the past, but the capacity for non-humans to make history. Topics include (but are not limited to) animals as entertainment, animals as food, and animals as objects of science. During the course of their studies, students will engage with an array of source materials, including film, fiction, and art, as well as archival materials and Bristol-based arts and heritage organisations. Through this unit students will learn that by looking at animals we stand to gain new perspectives on the past.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will be able to:

1. Understand the ways in which animals have played an active part in the past.
2. Approach a range of historical events and topics from an animal history perspective.
3. Discuss and evaluate the key historiographical debates surrounding animal history.
4. Understand and interpret primary sources and select pertinent evidence in order to illustrate specific and more general historical points
5. Present their research and judgements in written and oral forms and styles appropriate to the discipline and to level I

Teaching Information

Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.

Assessment Information

1 x 2500-word Essay (50%) [ILOs 1-5]; 1 x Timed Assessment (50%) [ILOs 1-5]; 1 x Formative Oral Presentation [ILO 5]

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HIST20115).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.