Media Studies Online


Animals & Media

Overview

Humans have been weaving stories and creating art featuring animal subjects since time immemorial. Through these representations, animals are anthropomorphized, ascribed symbolism and attributed with any number of human prejudices, ideals, or fantasies. An ongoing, and often conflicting, relationship exists between the actual animal and the images of the animal. Animal images abound in nearly every area of popular culture and media. These animal images both inform and shape public perceptions toward the living, embodied animals. Careful examination of these human-generated images help us better understand perceptions and attitudes toward animals, the environment, and the natural world.

Animal Studies (also Human-Animal Studies or Critical Animal Studies) is a relatively young, yet very broad interdisciplinary field of research (and practice). Broadly, Animal Studies may include veterinary medicine and zoology, ethics and animal welfare, philosophy and metaphysics, law and policy, human-animal relationships and anthropology (or anthrozoology), and much more. This resource list is particularly focused on animals in (and as) human culture, including literature, visual art, moving pictures, and other media.

Recommended Reading

Journals (Open Access)

Books, Edited Volumes

Books, Monographs

Books Series

Playlist

Further Reading

References

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