Animal Science: Animals in Soc/Animal Welfare

Designed to heighten awareness and understanding of human-animal relationships in society, agriculture, and science. Pre/Co-requisites: ASCI 1000, ASCI 1400, or ASCI 1500.

Sophomore standing or above; or instructor permission, ASCI majors and minors Prereqs enforced by system: ASCI 1000 or ASCI 1400 or ASCI 1500 Open to Degree and PACE students

https://www.uvm.edu/cals/asci/profile/joao-hc-costa

This course is designed to heighten awareness and understanding of human-animal relationships in society, agriculture, and science. This course examines the various ways that humans use and interact with animals in society. Animal welfare issues will be discussed, presented and debated. We will gain appreciation for ethical concepts underlying how we understand our relationship with animals and become familiar with scientific methods used to assess welfare. Furthermore, this class has the objective to provide the students an understanding of animal welfare science and societal discussion around the topic, including major points of animal welfare challenges for the most important livestock species, companion animals, zoo animals, and animals used for science. The class should benefit students in animal sciences and pre-veterinary medicine. The course includes lectures and active learning activities schedules to support these learning goals. 1. COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES A student who completes ASCI 2130 should be able to address each of the following objectives. 1. To become aware of the diverse use of animals in contemporary society in such areas as food production, companionship, recreation and science. 2. To appreciate the social, economic, and cultural differences related to animal use. 3. To apply scientific data to further understand issues related to animal welfare. 4. To understand animal welfare challenges and assessment methods in livestock, companion, zoo, and animals used for science. 5. To develop awareness of social and ethical issues surrounding how people affect animals, and to develop the habit of thinking critically about these issues 6. To practice addressing ethical, moral, social and personal positions on animal use.

Course Format: Two 50 minute class periods per week & One period of active learning per week. We will be using BRIGHTSPACE for posting materials (both lecture and lab) and non-lecture communications throughout the semester. Microsoft Teams will be the platform used only if there is a need for the instructor to teach and engage in the class remotely for extenuating circumstances (i.e. instructor must isolate). In this circumstance, the instructor will notify the class in advance. Remote/virtual attendance by students when the instructor is present in-person is not being offered for this class.

The course grade will be based on several components designed to evaluate both theoretical understanding and applied learning. The midterm exam will account for 25% of the final grade, while the final exam will represent 30%. Students will also complete a series of assignments throughout the semester: Assignments I, II, and III together will contribute 20%, and Assignment IV – the AWJAC Scenario will make up 10% of the total grade. Active engagement is a key part of the course, so attendance and participation in discussions will represent 15% of the overall grade. In total, these components sum to 100%. Additionally, students who participate in a farm or other animal housing visit may earn up to 5% bonus credit as an opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world settings. Final grades will follow the standard university grading scale: scores between 97–100 will receive an A+, 94–96 an A, and 90–93 an A−. Grades will continue in three-point intervals down to 60–63, which corresponds to a D−. Any score below 60 will be considered a failing grade (F). This grading structure is intended to encourage consistent participation, recognize both academic performance and practical engagement, and provide opportunities for students to strengthen their learning through applied experiences.