Sociology: Animals In Human Society Concentration
The Sociology: Animals in Human Society concentration offers students the opportunity to study Sociology while focusing on the unique social relationship humans share with other species. This concentration in the sociology major is designed for those students who enjoy interaction with people and, at the same time, find interest in the world of animals. Students explore our bond with animals on the interpersonal, institutional, and global levels. The centerpiece of Sociology: Animals in Human Society is its two-semester internship during which students work directly with animals at an on-site location of their choice. Some of the several organizations with which students might intern are the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, Palo Alto Humane Society, National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy, Oakland Zoo, San Francisco Zoo, Coyote Point Museum, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Humane Education Network, In Defense of Animals, Homeless Cat Network, Vet-SOS, San Francisco SPCA, Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS), and the Delta Society. At present, the Sociology: Animals in Human Society concentration is the only one of its kind in the nation.
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Dr. Cheryl Joseph and friend |
Students work with VET-SOS providing care to the companion animals of homeless people |
Why Study Sociology?
Sociology begins with the premise that human beings are social animals whose individual behavior is shaped by the interaction that takes place in the groups in which we belong. This perspective allows us to view the world beyond our immediate experiences and to recognize the relationship between our private lives and world events. In doing so, we see that social environments shape human behavior and that alternately, human beings are capable of changing social environments. Particularly at this time in human history, with the escalating rates of violence especially among family members, spiraling increases in bigotry, and the devastation of our natural world, the sociological insight that we are all unique yet alike may be key to our survival as a planet. Contemporary sociology argues that other species must be brought into sociological study as their treatment, throughout history and across cultures, paralleled the human condition. For these reasons, the Animals in Human Society concentration is embedded in the Sociology major.
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| Intern learns about giraffes' dietary needs at the San Francisco Zoo |
Student interns as adoption counselor with the Peninsula Humane Society |
Why Emphasize Animals In Human Society?
Asked why he studies animals, British primatologist, Sander Harcourt, emphatically replies, “Because we humans are animals. To understand other animals is to understand ourselves as humans.” In the 18th century, philosopher Immanuel Kant noted that “We can judge the heart[s] of people by [their] treatment of animals." Within the last thirty years, modern science has consistently demonstrated a link between animal cruelty and the abuse of humans. In 1997, the FBI issued the following statement: “You [can] look at cruelty to animals and cruelty to humans as a continuum…” Conversely, recent studies reveal that children who experience the companionship of an animal show greater acceptance of people with characteristics different from their own both during childhood and as adults. In a world that has become increasingly diverse and yet more segmented, the study of our relationship with animals has the potential to make a monumental contribution to human co-existence.
Statistics show that the majority of U.S. households live with at least one companion animal, with the figures continuing to rise by the millions every year. As their role in the physical, emotional, and social health of humans is acknowledged, animals of all sorts are being incorporated into therapy modalities. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and even some farm animals are utilized regularly in hospitals, schools, group homes, therapists' offices, senior centers, homeless shelters, workplaces, and prisons. Organizations committed to wildlife protection contend that people are increasingly aware of the part animals play in maintaining the balance of nature and human well-being, noting greater public demand on businesses and governments to preserve endangered species and natural habitats. The future promise of these trends is rich and translates into a proliferation of satisfying career opportunities for sociologists who focus on the bond between humans and other animals.
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| Students with a therapy rabbit | Student teaches reading using a therapy dog |
Career Preparation
Students who major in Sociology at NDNU are prepared to work with diverse populations of people in a variety of physical and social environments. To this, the Animals in Human Society concentration adds a focus on the social dynamics between people and animals. In doing so, the Sociology: Animals in Human Society concentration lays a foundation for careers in such areas as shelter and sanctuary management; humane education; animal law; animal protection; policy analysis; wildlife conservation; nature writing, photography and filmmaking; animal advocacy; and endangered species coordination. Equipped with the Sociology major with the concentration in Animals in Human Society, other career options will be available to the aspiring animal behaviorist; therapy animal trainer; therapy activities designer; therapy liaison; wildlife museum curator; and zoo designer.
Our majors will also find careers in ethology; humane and depredation investigation; animal nutrition; media showmanship; and research on the social bond between animals and people. Still other majors will direct their careers into businesses and services related to animal care and fundraising for humane causes. The level of professionalism required to work with animals has increased significantly in the past decade making college education indispensable and competition stiff among applicants. The two-semester internship at the core of the major can help students determine, even before they graduate, if they are suited for an animal-related career. In addition, the work history provided by the internship gives our majors with a competitive edge in the labor market and among graduate school applicants.
See the NDNU General Program for program requirements and course descriptions.
What The Expects Say
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“The interconnection between humans and animals, particularly with respect to abuse and compassion, have not been studied seriously enough in the past. -----Laurie Lane, Delta Society
“Working with animals and learning more about them has not only increased my respect for them but has helped me develop individually and socially.” -----Kriste Powell, NDNU graduate; Sociology Major |
“Animals have heard more about my traumatic past than any human has and animals have heard more about my future endeavors as well. There is a certain trust and comfort I feel with animals that I don’t have with people. I plan to use this major to help animals and kids who have to live in violent homes like I did.” -----Anonymous; Sociology: Animals in Human Society
Advocates and allies for the animals must have—indeed, are owed excellence in training specific to this cause. The new Sociology major with concentration in: Animals in Human Society at NDNU is an important, ground-breaking step in that direction.” -----Ken White, President of Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA |
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