PSY 649 - Moral Philosophy and Animal

Moral Philosophy and Animal

Master of Science in Animal Psychology

PSY 649

Breyer State University

Professor: James O'Heare, CABC

Syllabus

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Moral Philosophy and Animals, a course in the Masters of Science degree in Animal Psychology. Throughout the program the 'animal welfare' perspective was both explicitly and implicitly assumed. The animal welfare perspective assumed that we have a right to cause hard or suffering to nonhuman animals if our need is sufficient, and that we should minimize this harm and suffering where possible in the context of the first assumption. This course will present an argument for the 'animal rights' perspective. This perspective argues that nonhuman animals have moral rights and that they should not be considered means to our ends. Since the welfare perspective was so prominently assumed throughout the program this course will present an alternative view so that you have been exposed to each and can make informed decisions about the ethics of how we treat nonhuman animals in research and otherwise. You are not required to favor one particular perspective over the other but should consider the arguments carefully. It is important to address this problem because as scientists we must make decisions regularly regarding what kinds of research are acceptable when using nonhuman subjects and also in terms of what kinds of research questions we explore.

I hope you will find this course useful.

TIME FRAME: You will have 10 weeks in which to complete the necessary reading, written assignments and exams. Please have your textbook prior to enrolling so that you can use your time most effectively. Day 1 will begin when I send you your first welcome email. Please keep careful track of your due date. When you are ready to access your exam please email me and I will arrange access. You must request the exams prior to your deadline. This course is worth 3 credit hours.

TEXTBOOKS: There are two (2) textbooks required for this course

Book 1: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th. ed.) ISBN # 1557987912. ( http://www.apastyle.org/)

Book 2: Introduction to Animal Rights by Gary L. Francione Temple University Press: ISBN # 9781566396929.

You can purchase any of your BSU textbooks here at the BSU bookstore:

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EVALUATION: There will be a written essay assignment for this course. The written assignments will relate to the material found in the textbook. The assignments will allow you to apply what you have learned and explore your own reasoning and position on the course topic. I will email you your essay assignments upon enrollment. Your essay will be evaluated based on the clarity, completeness and conciseness of your reasoning.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

COMMUNICATION: Please email me with any questions or concerns you might have through your coursework and I will endeavor to address them as fully as I can. I will usually be able to respond to questions the same day that you ask them. I will receive your email address when you enroll. If you change your email address during the course please let me and the administration office know. When you enroll please email me right away to tell me a bit about yourself, your background and your goals.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: My name is James O'Heare. I have worked as a professional animal behavior consultant for 15 years. I am the author of several books on applied dog behavior, I am an international speaker, president of The Companion Animal Sciences Institute (www.CASInstitute.com) and Director of the International Institute for Applied Companion Animal Behavior (www.IIACAB.com), and I am the Managing Editor of the Journal of Applied Companion Animal Behavior (www.IIACAB.com/journal.html). I have studied intensively in animal behavior and applied behavior analysis. My personal web site is at www.JamesOHeare.com.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course you will have a foundational understanding of these topics in relation to nonhuman animals:

1). Who are animal rights advocates?
2). What are moral rights and why do they matter?
3). Consideration of animals used as food.
4). Animals used as clothing.
5). Animals used as performers.
6). Animals used as competitors.
7). Animals used as scientific tools.
8). Animal rights.

You will generally have a more in-depth knowledge of the arguments for animal rights and a considered opinion on the topic that can help guide your ethical decisions regarding how you use animals in your career as an animal behavior scientist.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact the instructor atjamesoheare@rogers.com

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