Humans and Animals: Anthropological Perspectives on Relationships

Why do humans form such deep connections with animals, and what do these relationships reveal about culture and society? This course in anthropology explores the complex human animal bond, showing how animals influence medicine, religion, economy, and everyday life. Many people see animals only as pets, food, or entertainment, but this course challenges you to think critically about their deeper cultural and symbolic roles. By examining global traditions and case studies, you will uncover the surprising ways animals shape human history and identity.

Through engaging lessons, you will explore domestication, empathy, and subsistence practices that connect people and animals. Case studies include the domestication of dogs and Rock Cree hunters’ relationships with animals. You will also examine animal symbolism through totemism, their presence in oral traditions, and their significance in religious systems. These insights reveal how animals are not only companions or resources but also vital figures in cultural meaning and human belief systems across the globe.

Contemporary issues bring new challenges to the human animal connection. The course examines pets in both indigenous and Western societies, the cultural meaning of pet keeping, and the animal trade in zoos, aquariums, and circuses. You will also study ecotourism and wildlife reserves as spaces where animals and humans meet in both positive and problematic ways. By the end of this course, you will understand the critical role animals play in human lives, giving you knowledge that applies to anthropology, cultural studies, and environmental ethics. Enroll today and transform the way you view animals in culture, society, and your own life.