Anthrozoology Applied Minor (AM)
Anthrozoology, the study of human-animal interactions, is a growing, interdisciplinary field. It covers a wide range of research topics, such as attitudes toward animals, the “human-animal” divide, animal behaviors/cognitions/abilities, wild-animal management/conservation, the roles/uses of animals within cultural contexts, and more.
Given the integrated and overlapping ways in which humans and non-human animals engage with each other in the world, the anthrozoology applied minor is a wonderful, additional credential if you have interests in this area. However, it is especially beneficial if you’re considering careers in veterinary medicine, animal-assisted therapy, farming or conservation.
Program information
This applied minor (AM) includes courses from the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences and includes co-curricular opportunities in a variety of fields and organizations.
Applied minors (AMs) are distinctive programs allowing you to personalize your education and to help you make direct connections between academic interests and co-curricular activities.
To earn an applied minor in anthrozoology, you must complete the following:
Courses
Complete four of the following courses, not more than two from the same division:
Natural sciences
- BIO 226 Biological Diversity
- BIO 346 Vertebrate Zoology
- BIO 348 Ornithology
- BIO 357 Animal Behavior
- BIO 360 Conservation Biology
- BIO 362 Biology of Insects
- MUSE 215 Engaging Audiences with Outreach and Interpretation
- MUSE 241 Care and Use of Collections
Humanities
- ENG 208 Contemporary Literature: Human, Animal, Machine
- ENG 370 Topics in Literary Theory: The Posthuman
Social sciences
- JPNS 349 Japanimals
- PSYC 358 Human-Animal Interaction
Co-curricular activity
Complete one of the following co-curricular activities:
- Volunteering/internship at a local animal shelter (e.g., HELP the Animals, 2nd Chance Animal Shelter)
- Volunteering/internship at a local veterinarian’s office (e.g., Animal Hospital of Richmond, Animal Care Alliance)
- Volunteering/internship at Sunrise (therapeutic riding barn)
- Observing some type of animal-assisted therapy or search & rescue organization/person/training
- Observing the local animal-control officers
- Animal caregiving at the Joseph Moore Museum
- Volunteering in a Bird Banding Station
- Volunteering for small mammal trapping researcher
- Semester-long leadership position at the Horse Barn
Culminating experience
Complete a panel presentation at the spring Presentation of Learning event, discussing how your courses and co-curricular activity fit together and how you believe the applied minor has influenced your future plans, major and/or self.
Our faculty
Faculty in this applied minor are passionate about animals and many of them do research about animals or human-animal interactions. If you have questions about this applied minor, contact Maggie Thomas.
Have questions?
Learn more about declaring your interest in an applied minor and find answers to other questions you may not even know you have.