Introduction to Humane Education

This course will examine the history and theory behind the teaching of compassion for other-than-human animals, other humans and Earth. It will also begin to explore some of the most important topics in contemporary studies of humane education. Examples of topics included in this course are celebrating human diversity, bullying, human rights and the global economic machine, the sixth mass extinction, animals in agriculture and the pet trade, global environmental change, climate change, human overpopulation and the interconnections between violations of human, other animal and environmental rights. This course will also include content related to the development of empathy, moral and behavioral development, controversy inherent in teaching ethical subject matter, and how humane education is situated within other educational frameworks.