Contemporary Issues
in Animal Rights Law
Online Course
Explore the innovative and evolving field of Animal Rights Law with ICARE’s ‘Contemporary Issues in Animal Rights Law’ course. This unique online programme blends insightful academic theory with practical advocacy and litigation skills, equipping participants from diverse backgrounds to become effective changemakers in one of the most dynamic areas of legal study.
About the CIARL Course
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Modalities
Live classes in English, Saturdays from 11 January to 1 March 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm (CET). Online course on Google Classrooms.
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Coursework
Requires 4-5 hours per week, amounting to 39 hours over the 8 weeks of class (including weekly assignments) and up to 54 hours including the evaluation.
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Skills
Participants will develop analytical, legal reasoning, persuasive argumentation, and oral advocacy skills. They will also gain research proficiency and practical experience crafting legal strategies.
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Speed Moot Court
Assignments include case analyses, policy proposals, debates, forum discussions, essays, role-plays, teamwork, research presentations, and an online speed moot court on aquatic animal rights.
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Evaluation
Research presentations on 22-23 March 2025, evaluated by a jury consisting of leading experts in Animal Rights Law. If it complies with the editorial standards, participants will be invited to submit their research as a student paper in the Journal of Animal Rights Law.
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Certificate
Participants must attend at least 75% of the live classes, complete the evaluation and at least 50% of the weekly assignments to demonstrate their understanding and mastery of the course content.
Course Structure
The course is structured over eight weekly classes, each taught by a different Animal Rights Law and Ethics expert, blending academic theory with practical skills. Following a three-week break for independent research, participants will return for ‘Evaluation Week’ to present their final research projects, allowing for thorough assessment and reflection on their learning journey. The programme also includes an online Speed Moot Court, offering participants hands-on experience in Aquatic Animal Rights jurisprudence.
Week 1: 11 January 2025
Introduction to Animal Rights Law
Silvina Pezzetta will introduce the key concepts and definitions central to Animal Rights Law, laying the foundation for understanding the relationship between animals, law, and society. She will clarify the distinctions between ‘animal rights’ and ‘animal welfare,’ discuss the limitations of current legal protections, and explore the legal implications of animal sentience and dignity. Participants will also gain insights into the global challenges faced by Animal Rights Law today.
Week 2: 18 January 2025
History and Evolution of Animal Protection Laws
Elien Verniers will explore the history and evolution of animal protection laws. She will guide participants through key milestones that shaped modern animal welfare legislation and lead a comparative analysis of how various jurisdictions and cultures have influenced animal protection laws. Additionally, she will introduce emerging doctrines like Constitutional Animal Law and the Rights of Nature, highlighting their potential implications for the future of animal welfare and animal rights.
Week 3: 25 January 2025
Philosophical Foundations of Animal Rights
Lori Gruen will explore the philosophical foundations of animal rights, examining key moral theories that shape the discourse on animals' legal status and treatment. She will guide participants through classical and contemporary philosophical perspectives, analysing their influence on Animal Rights Law and policy. Participants will engage with critiques of traditional theories and explore alternative approaches to understanding animal rights.
Week 4: 1 February 2024
Continental Law vs. Common Law Perspectives
Eva Bernet Kempers and Joe Wills will co-teach a comparative analysis of the legal status of animals in continental (civil) and common law systems. They will explore how each legal tradition interprets and implements animal rights, using case studies to illustrate the evolving landscape. Participants will examine the gradual (r)evolution of legal personhood for animals across different jurisdictions, gaining insight into the broader implications for Animal Rights Law and policy.
Week 5: 8 February 2025
Legal Theory of Animal Rights
Visa Kurki will delve into the theoretical foundations of animal rights within the legal sphere. He will introduce key legal theories and explore the capacity of animals to hold legal rights. Participants will examine current legal frameworks, precedents, and the contentious issue of legal personhood for animals, questioning whether animals need this status to hold rights. Kurki will guide reflections on how these theories and debates influence the future development of Animal Rights Law.
Week 6: 15 February 2025
Animal Rights Jurisprudence
Macarena Montes Franceschini will guide participants through key cases in animal rights jurisprudence, exploring legal and ethical justifications for recognising animal rights. She will examine how animal rights intersect with human rights, environmental rights, and the Rights of Nature, and discuss the role of NGOs in advancing these rights. Participants will also learn about strategic litigation techniques and how the concept of legal personhood has been addressed across different jurisdictions, gaining insight into the growing influence of non-governmental organisations on Animal Rights Law.
Speed Moot Court on
Aquatic Animal Rights
Amy P. Wilson and Hira Jaleel will facilitate the online Speed Moot Court on Aquatic Animal Rights, providing participants with a unique opportunity to apply their knowledge, particularly in Animal Rights Jurisprudence. Acting as both Trainers and Judges, they will guide participants through this hands-on session focused on the often-overlooked field of Aquatic Animal Rights, offering practical experience in this critical and emerging area of law.
Week 7: 22 February 2025
Legal Advocacy and Political Representation of Animals
Pablo Magaña will explore the intersection of animal rights with legal advocacy and political representation. He will examine potential animal rights and laws, and the challenges and opportunities in advocating for these rights within political systems. Participants will delve into political theories, models of representation for animals, and the distinction between legal and political standing. The session will address complex questions around the political rights of animals, their role in policymaking, and the institutional frameworks best suited to protect their interests.
Week 8: 1 March 2025
Animal Rights as a Social Movement
Iselin Gambert will explore animal rights within the broader social justice landscape, tracing its historical development and intersections with movements like women's, civil, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Participants will examine the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of animal rights activism, including challenges posed by laws like 'ag-gag' and risks taken by activists. They will also delve into concepts such as the 'right to rescue' and 'voluntary prosecution,' while discussing strategic alliances, capacity-building, and new movements like effective altruism and effective animal advocacy.
Evaluation Week
Participants will conduct detailed research on a topic covered in weekly classes and prepare a concise oral presentation. The evaluation aims to synthesise the course’s learning and encourage exploration of a specific issue of Animal Rights Law. The challenge is to present research findings within a 10-minute timeframe, demonstrating clarity, critical thinking, and practical communication skills.
Participants will receive a Guide for Research Presentation and a Guide for Research Publication. If their research complies with the journal’s editorial standards, they will be invited to submit it as a student paper to the Journal of Animal Rights Law.
An esteemed panel of distinguished academics—Dr Nirva Patel, Dr Kathy Hessler, Dr Rosa Maria de la Torre Torres, Dr John Adenitire, Dr Oscar Horta, and Dr Carlos Contreras López—will provide constructive feedback and evaluate the presentations during Evaluation Week.
With the kind support of
The Pollination Project.
€200
Regular Registration
From 1 November to 31 December 2024
Payment & Scholarship Options
You can make your payment via bank transfer or PayPal upon registration, or apply for a partial or full scholarship if you require financial support.
Register for the course.