Dog Ears: Dogs in Cultures of Difference

In this course we will investigate the ways dog cultures and cultural dogs reflect and are used to reflect upon categories of human difference such as gender, race, age, disability, sexuality, and class. We will discuss human-dog relationships and their histories and material practices (from dog boutiques to dog fighting, from service dogs to soldier dogs) and we will look closely at how dogs have been represented using literature, film, and other examples. We will approach dogs as our “companion species” (Donna Haraway) drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives ranging from feminist and transgender studies to history, animal studies, and legal studies. 3 hrs. sem.