This course is an academic approach to animal ethics. People typically discuss the issue of animal ethics in a highly emotive fashion (usually accompanied by gruesome pictures); this makes it hard to see the arguments clearly. This course deliberately avoids emotional content or images to allow you to focus on the issues at stake. Humans have rights, most importantly, the right to life and liberty; Should animals have these same rights? If not, what kind of rights should they have, or is rights the wrong language?

The course includes:

• Introductory themes: basic philosophical principles outlined.

• Human rights or human obligations: should animals have rights?

• Ethical theories, including Natural moral law, utilitarianism, and virtue theory.

• Ethical theories within the Christian tradition.

• Use of animals in scientific procedures, including cloning.

• Use of animals as food, including intensive farming of animals.

• Animals as a source of transplant organs.

• Blood sports, including hunting.

At the end of this course, you will feel confident discussing the issue of how we should view animals, feel secure in the knowledge that you have the academic framework needed for deep reflection, and be better able to defend your views.

Students of AS and A Level AQA Religious Studies will find this course invaluable.