Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

This course will examine the legal status of non-human animals, including an overview of the relationship between humans and animals, how it varies according to the use to which animals are put and scientific understanding of the capacities of various species of animals; the classification of animals as "property," whether such classification is appropriate or important and how such "property" is legally valued; laws impacting people's relationship with pets; industry use of animals, including animals in agriculture; current animal protection laws, state and federal; recent efforts to reform such laws through legislation and litigation; and standing and other problems of litigating on behalf of animals.