This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module introduces students to a wide-ranging view of the relationships among people, other animals and plants. The module will provide social, political and cultural perspectives on these relationships and will introduce students to some of the technical aspects of ethnobiology. The module emphasises the importance of culture in mediating the use of plants and animals among humans, and explores the role of wild and domestic plants and animals in human evolution, including the way human societies have manipulated and altered the landscape. Contemporary problems in conservation, development and human and animals rights are also explored.
Private Study: 128
Contact Hours: 22
Total: 150
Optional to the following courses:
• BSc Human Ecology
• BSc Anthropology
• BSc Wildlife Conservation
• BA Environmental Social Sciences
• BA Social Anthropology
Main assessment methods
• Analytic Note (20%)
• Annotated Bibliography (20%)
• Oral Presentation (20%)
• Final Essay (40%)
Reassessment methods
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The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Synthesise the wide-ranging relationships between humans, other animals and plants.
2 Understand how plants and other animals have affected human history and have contributed to the structure of contemporary societies around the world.
3 Appreciate aspects of utilitarian, welfare and rights-based perspectives, among others, that affect our contemporary relationships with plants and other animals.
4 Understand symbolic, mythological and religious perspectives of animals and plants.
5 Understand the development of legal, political and social institutions that manage plants and animals
6 Understand the basic theories of how plants and animals are named, identified and classified by different peoples, including scientists.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
