PRTR 170A Animal People: Vegans, Ethics, and Pop Culture

Examines perceptions of vegans, critically questioning an array of negative stereotypes commonly associated with vegans and veganism. Also examines problems in mainstream veganism, such as white privilege, single-issue optics, consumerism, and perfectionism. Considers stigmas used to negate urgent planetary issues, such as animal ethics and animal exploitation, the impact of factory farming and animal agriculture on global climate change, and environmental racism and food apartheid. Students learn principles and practices of non-violent communication, build a theoretical vocabulary, develop their ability to understand and assess arguments, deepen their analytical skills and critical thinking abilities, and enhance their interpretative skills through writing assignments.