Universität Wien

300557 VO Anthrozoology (2025S)

the evolutionaty foundations of human relationships with companion animals

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Moodle

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Details

Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 25.03. 11:30 - 16:30 Seminarraum 1.4, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.013, Ebene 1
  • Wednesday 26.03. 08:00 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1.6, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 1.011, Ebene 1
  • Wednesday 09.04. 11:30 - 16:30 Seminarraum 5.1, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 5.131, Ebene 5
  • Thursday 10.04. 11:15 - 14:00 Seminarraum 5.1, Biologie Djerassiplatz 1, 5.131, Ebene 5

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Humans are "biophilic". Means, they want and can be (socially) together with other animals. The evolution of the vertrebrate brain and (social) physiology shows why this is the case, why we share so many mental/social tools with other animals.
Companion animals can have beneficial effects on human wellbeing and health - to an extent that allows suggesting that humans are adapted to liev with other animals. This will be exemplified on the base of our 35 000 years lasting relatiionship with wolves/dogs.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written exam; 4 open questions (not multiple choice), which can (and should) be answered in 60 minutes. The emphasis is on key terms and concepts.
Particularly important: Please read and understand the question before you begin to answer it.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Understanding the social human nature on the base of "Darwin´s continuum" as a base for rational and empathic human-animal relations and as a base for an animal friendly ethics. All based on relevant comparative zoology and anthropology.

Examination topics

Lecture and presentations (provided as PDFs per moodle). And the contents of the book:
KOTRSCHAL, K. (2014). Einfach beste Freunde. Warum Menschen und andere Tiere einander verstehen. Wien, Brandstätter.

Reading list

The following books which also contain the relevant original literature:
recommended:
KOTRSCHAL, K. (2014). Einfach beste Freunde. Warum Menschen und andere Tiere einander verstehen. Wien, Brandstätter.
In addition (optional):
KOTRSCHAL, K (2016). Hund-Mensch. Das Geheimnis der Seelenverwandtschaft. Wien: Brandstätter.
KOTRSCHAL, K. (2019) Mensch. Woher wir kommen. Wer wir sind. Wohin wir gehen. Brandstätter.
KOTRSCHAL,, K. (2022) Der Wolf und wir. Wie aus ihm unser erstes Haustier wurde – und warum seine Rückkehr Chancen bietet. erscheint März 2022 bei Brandstätter
KOTRSCHAL, K. (2024) Warum Hunde uns zu besseren Menschen machen. Brandstätter.

Association in the course directory

MVN W-7, UF MA BU 01, UF MA BU 04, CoBeNe W3

Last modified: Tu 25.03.2025 07:46