<p>History 600: History of Animals and Humans: Milwaukee and Beyond Instructor: Helena Pycior</p><p>Brief Course Description (Not the Course Syllabus) The history of human-animal relationships is a relatively new, expanding area of historical scholarship. Historians analyze the different kinds of relationships that humans and nonhuman animals have shared through the ages and across the globe. Special attention is given to understanding how and why these relationships have changed over time. Consider, e.g., the changing roles of dogs in Western society over the centuries, from workers to pets and then to family members and companion animals. Historical interest centers on the relationships themselves but also on what human-animal relationships say about specific human societies and evolving human-human relationships. </p><p>At the beginning of the seminar, we will discuss some of the major terminology, questions, methodological problems, and possibilities for this new area of history. We will read articles and book chapters exemplifying such topics as the history of petkeeping, zoos, humane societies, animals in war, and circus animals. Simultaneously students will be exposed to primary source collections available through UWM and neighboring institutions dealing with the history of the circus, Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee Public Museum, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Wisconsin Humane Society, and Wisconsin State Fair.</p><p>The seminar’s major emphasis is on designing and writing research papers. Research papers may deal with the history of animals in many settings, such as domestication, farms, zoos, and the wild. Alternately, papers may focus on the history of the representation of animals in art, film, and literature. Since this is a new area of history, there are fine prospects for original research papers, centering on, e.g., animals and war; the humane education movement; humane societies; the animal welfare and/or rights movements: animals as experimental subjects, pets, companions, or family members; service and therapy animals; gender, race/ethnicity, class, and animals; the artifacts of pet-keeping; animal exhibition in circuses, museums, or zoos; zoo superstars; breeding of livestock, show dogs, etc.; the 4-H movement; animals in art, literature, film, or photography; relationships between specific humans and specific animals (e.g., generals, kings, presidents, queens, writers, and their dogs, cats, horses, etc.); veterinary medicine; wildlife “management;” and dog, livestock, and other animal shows.</p><p>Required Book The one required book is available for purchase in the UWM Bookstore (in the Union). Storey, William K. Writing History: A Guide for Students, 4th edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. </p><p>Required Essays A set of required articles and book chapters will be placed on electronic reserve. </p>