Program Overview

Course Profile

General Course Information

The course code for Animal Law is LLAW3140. This course is offered under the LLB Programme and is taught in the first semester. It is not a designated research course and does not have any prerequisites or co-requisites. The course is worth 6 credits and is not available to non-law students.

Course Description

This course examines the law relating to non-human animals, introducing theoretical perspectives on animal interests and rights. The welfare model of animal law is critically analyzed, with a focus on Asian and international developments. The course also explores practical ways for lawyers to advance animal interests.

Course Teachers

The course convenor is Amanda Whitfort.

Learning Outcomes

The course learning outcomes (CLOs) for this course are:

• CLO 1: Understand the legal status of animals, including the historical evolution of this status.
• CLO 2: Be familiar with the ways in which different categories of animals are regulated by law.
• CLO 3: Be able to identify the animal rights and animal welfare foundations of the law relating to animals, and critique their moral/ethical claims.
• CLO 4: Have a sound understanding of both Asian and international perspectives on the legal regulation of animals.
• CLO 5: Have engaged with the role lawyers can play in advancing the interests of animals.
• CLO 6: Be able to engage in self-directed research of issues in animal law, both as part of a group and individually.
• CLO 7: Be able to present the results of research in both seminar and written formats.

Assessment

The assessment summary is as follows:

• Seminar presentation: 30%
• Written research assignment: 70%

The grading criteria and assessment details are to be advised by the course convenor.

Learning Activities

The learning activity plan includes:

• Seminar: 3 hours/week for 12 teaching weeks
• Private study time: 9.5 hours/week for 12 teaching weeks

The normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours, which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of the classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.

Learning Resources

Reading materials are posted on Moodle, and the core and recommended reading lists are to be advised.