Final Project

Length:       About 20 pages, but "it's complicated" (see below)
Due:            Monday December 13, midnight (submit here)

For this final project, you will produce your own bestiary, which we have already loosely defined as an encyclopedia describing the habits and characteristics of animals in relation to the ecosystem, human institutions (food, clothing, security, pets), and religious and cultural systems (symbolic and ritual use of animals). The big idea is to “translate” this web of relationships into a present-day bestiary that reflects on our own relationships, as humans and in systems, with animals of all kinds. The project can incorporate visual art, poetry, videos, music, and journalism to produce a panoramic reflection on the ties that bind human and nonhuman animals.

The project will be preceded by three preliminary activities:

1. During the week of November 22 (Monday/Tuesday before Thanksgiving), each of you will meet with me individually to discuss your plan for the project.

2. The night before your seminar, please put up a 1-paragraph description on Canvas to give us all a general idea of what your project is about.

2. On November 29 or December 6 in class, you will present the project in seminar form in class. You're welcome to use the video projection if you like, or a paper handout, although neither is required. This will be followed by a question and answer period with the class: you will probably want to incorporate questions and suggestions made during the q and a.

Note: If you wish, you may write a more traditional paper of about 12-15 pages. If you choose to do this, please submit an abstract on November 22 as in 1. above.