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GEG-30021 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

GEG-30021 - Animals and Society
Coordinator: Daniel Allen Room: WSF11 Tel: +44 1782 7 34961
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Non-human animals interact with humans on a daily basis as wildlife, livestock, food, clothing, companions, beasts of burden, entertainment and therapy. Geography has had a pivotal role in shaping these everyday lives and deaths, and influencing these human-animal interactions and identities. Animals and Society draws from research in human-animal studies and animal geographies to explore and understand these complex relationships across space and time.

Aims
The main aims are to (1) further student knowledge and comprehension of the concepts and debates in human-animal studies and animal geographies; and (2) demonstrate how critical geographic understandings of human-animal relations contribute to historical, socioeconomic and cultural understandings of society.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/geg-30021/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the development of human-animal studies and animal geographies over the last 30 years: 1
Discuss the complexities of human-animal relations across space and time: 1,2
Critically evaluate examples of human-animal practices, policies and identities: 1,2
Communicate complex interdisciplinary ideas in a style accessible to wider public audiences: 2

Study hours

Active learning
22 hours interactive lectures
3 hours collaborative activity online
Independent study:
30 hours essay preparation
50 hours campaign manifesto preparation
45 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 40%
1,500 word essay
You will submit a 1,500 word essay in response to one of the provided essay questions to present an evidence-based and persuasive narrative. You should draw on learning and teaching materials from across the module. You should clearly set out key concepts and debates and evidence with references to a broad selection of appropriate peer-reviewed evidence.

2: Assignment weighted 60%
Individual Campaign Manifesto - 3,000 words or equivalent
Students will develop an individual campaign manifesto based on an example of human-animal conflict. The manifesto must balance a conceptual understanding with the ability to engage non-academic audiences. The manifesto should be structured as follows: (1) Campaign aim, justification, and strategy (~750 words). (2) Campaign – this could include a detailed letter to an MP, website, poster, pamphlet, video (~1,250 words or equivalent if other mixed media). (3) Academic engagement with your campaign – frame with literature, connect to concepts. (~1,000 words) – this is like a mini-essay.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025