This class is no longer offered through the Constellations program, but is still being taught through the English department (see Course Search & Enroll on MyUW).
What is an animal? How should animals be treated?
These critical questions are addressed in English 376: Literature and Animal Studies, the heart of the Animal Studies Constellation. Prof. Ortiz-Robles guides students on an exploration of literature—as well as other cultural representations, such as zoos, Broadway musicals, television shows, and animal films—to help them better understand the animal-human relationship.
ENGLISH 376: Literature and Animal Studies
3 Credits
Requisites: Sophomore Standing
Course Designation: Breadth – Literature
Level: Intermediate
L&S Credit: Counts as Liberal Arts and Science credit in L&S
Mario Ortiz-Robles was a Mellon-Morgridge Professor of the Humanities from 2018-2021 and current leader in the emerging field of animal studies. His home department is English, but his wide-ranging intellectual interests have allowed him to forge strong connections across the UW-Madison campus. His Constellation aspired to build off the success of his Borghesi-Mellon workshop in Animal Studies and create a hub for scholarship and research focused on representation, rights, and animal-human relations. Prof. Ortiz-Robles has an extensive publication record that includes his book Literature and Animal Studies, which asks “Why do animals talk in literature?”