AP3A67-Animal Welfare

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Students must normally have successfully completed modules in animal biology and/or A-level in Biology. If you have not done so or have queries regarding the suitability, please contact the module convenor prior to selecting the module.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Zoe Barker
Email: z.e.barker@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

How can we scientifically assess animal welfare? How do we evaluate animal welfare in the context of accepted ethical frameworks? How can animal welfare be protected and improved? These key questions and many more are considered in this module, where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of animal welfare science in relation to farm, captive, research and companion animals, and you'll have an opportunity to consider solutions to animal welfare problems. You'll learn through lectures and project work. 

Aims:

This module aims to provide a reasoned, objective understanding of the issues raised by a number of human activities which intimately involve animals and where the welfare of the animal is commonly perceived to be compromised by the actions of humans, and introduces the scientific concepts underlying animal welfare assessment. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Critically discuss the ethical issues related to animal welfare and evaluate the legal protection afforded to animals


• Critically evaluate scientific methods by which animal welfare may be assessed


• Analyse the extent of animal suffering resulting from human activities


• Design and critically evaluate a plan to implement solutions to particular animal welfare issues.

Additional outcomes:

Develop transferrable skills including team work, enquiry and critical analysis, written and verbal communication, time management, and creativity.

Outline content:

The module provides a wide-ranging review of issues related to animal welfare. Lectures consider the animal ethics of animal suffering, legal protection provided to animals, and the means by which animal welfare may be assessed. Consideration is then given to the effects of  experimentationresearch, farming and captivity of non-domesticated species, on animal welfare. Much of the course will be of interest to animal scientists, zoologists, biologists and agriculture students with a livestock interest.

The Lecture Contents cover:

• Animal welfare and ethics


• Physiological and behavioural measures of welfare


• Problems, solutions and implementation of improved animal welfare


• The welfare of animals in research


• The welfare of farm animals


• The welfare of companion animals


• The welfare of zoo animals

The project work covers:

Project work involves researching and critically evaluating a self-chosen animal welfare issue and developing a resource that could be used as part of a solution to this welfare issue.

Global context:

The module critically explores animal welfare, a key topic in relation to ethics and global sustainability.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module employs a flipped-learning approach. Throughout the term, one hours’ worth of screencast material will be made available online per week, and supporting discussion-based seminars will then be delivered face to face. There will be an opportunity for informal guidance on student’s assessment plans in two one-hour project supervision sessions .

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	8
Project Supervision	2
Guided independent study:	80
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

A one-and-a-half-hour exam

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will prepare a written report on a chosen welfare issue, to include critical discussion of the issue, the design of a single supporting resource or tool that aims to contribute to improving the issue (e.g. an educational poster, leaflet, petition, advert etc.), and a critical evaluation of their developed resource.

Formative assessment methods:

There will be opportunities that allow for students to discuss and receive informal guidance on their assessment plan. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
By re-examination in August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  approximately £5 for posters or similar, depending on students’ choice

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023