Contemporary Issues
in Animal Rights Law
On-demand Course
Explore the innovative and evolving field of Animal Rights Law with ICARE’s ‘Contemporary Issues in Animal Rights Law’ (CIARL) on-demand course. This unique online programme blends 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 for and about animals and their rights worldwide.
Unlike conventional academic courses that often focus narrowly on animal welfare legislation in the few instances where they have become available, this programme offers a broader and more critical perspective, integrating legal, ethical, and advocacy frameworks.
By the end of the course, participants will have acquired the knowledge and tools to strengthen their legal reasoning and argumentation, enhance their academic or professional research, and elevate their advocacy, public engagement, or career development—whether in advocacy organisations, academia, policy-making, education, the public or private sector, or volunteer initiatives.
Course Structure
The course is structured over eight modules, each corresponding to a thematic class. Each module includes 1 to 2 hours of recorded lectures, along with assigned readings, a quiz, and an optional practical exercise.
About the CIARL On-demand Course
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Modalities
Through recorded lectures, curated readings, quizzes and self-assessed exercises, participants will gain knowledge, practical tools and skills for designing policy interventions, analysing legislation and case law, and engaging with legal concepts across jurisdictions.
All recorded lectures (in English) and materials are available on Google Classroom. -
Coursework
Participants should anticipate dedicating approximately 6 hours per week, for a total of 50 hours over the 8 modules (including weekly quizzes, self-assessments, and a final test).
This self-paced format offers the flexibility to study according to one’s own schedule, while maintaining a structured and goal-oriented learning trajectory. -
Skills
Participants will strengthen their analytical and legal reasoning skills, develop research proficiency, and learn to construct clear, well-founded ethical and legal arguments. The course fosters strategic thinking in advocacy and policy development, encouraging learners to engage critically with real-world legal challenges.
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Assignments
Assignments are designed as self-assessed exercises that help participants apply key concepts, develop critical and practical skills, and reflect on their progress. While there are no graded assignments, each module includes one self-assessed, optional practice task aligned with the week’s themes, in addition to a quiz.
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Evaluation
Quizzes at the end of each module’s video (8) are designed to evaluate understanding of the course’s key concepts and ensure active engagement with the materials. A final test ensures that the student masters the basics of Animal Rights Law as taught in this CIARL on-demand course.
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Certificate
To earn the certificate of completion for the on-demand CIARL course, participants must:
-Complete the quiz following each module’s lecture;
- Pass the final test (also a quiz).
The certificate is awarded to participants who complete all modules’ quizzes and the final test, and achieve a minimum overall score (60%) across all quizzes.
Module 1: Introduction to Animal Rights Law
Dr 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. Participants will also gain insights into the global challenges faced by Animal Rights Law today.
Module 2: The Emergence of International and EU Animal Rights Law
Dr Elien Verniers will explore the historical foundations, current developments, and future potential of international and European Animal Rights Law. She will guide participants through the evolution of global and EU legal frameworks, tracing how international instruments, regional legislation, and institutional mechanisms have shaped the status and protection of non-human animals. She will also introduce emerging doctrines, like ‘Animal Rights Constitutionalism.’
Module 3: Philosophical Foundations of Animal Rights
Prof. 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.
Module 4: Continental Law vs. Common Law Perspectives
Dr Eva Bernet Kempers and Dr Joe Wills will co-teach a comparative analysis of continental (civil) law and common law traditions in their treatment of non-human animals. They will explore how each system conceptualises animals’ legal status, including their classification as property, and examine how evolving legal interpretations are reshaping approaches to animal welfare and legal personhood. Participants will be encouraged to critically reflect on how foundational legal structures influence both the limits and possibilities of Animal Rights Law across jurisdictions.
Module 5: Legal Theory of Animal Rights
Dr Visa Kurki will delve into legal theory of animal rights. He will introduce key legal theories and explore the capacity of animals to hold legal rights. Participants will examine the contentious issue of legal personhood for animals, questioning whether animals need this status to hold rights. Dr Kurki will guide reflections on how these theories and debates influence the future development of Animal Rights Law.
Module 6: Animal Rights Jurisprudence
Dr Macarena Montes Franceschini will guide participants through landmark animal rights cases from across the globe, including the United States, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. She will examine six categories of jurisprudence—habeas corpus petitions, constitutional remedies, family law, criminal law, Rights of Nature, and symbolic cases—to illustrate how legal systems have addressed claims for animal rights and legal personhood. Participants will analyse the strategic litigation techniques and legal arguments employed by animal rights NGOs, and examine the judicial reasoning used to grant or deny rights to animals. The session offers a nuanced view of how courts, advocacy groups, and evolving legal doctrines shape the trajectory of Animal Rights Law.
Module 7: Political Representation of Animals
Dr Pablo Magaña will explore the intersection of animal rights with legal advocacy and political representation. Participants will delve into political theories of animal rights, models of representation for animals, and the distinction between legal and political standing. The session will address complex questions around political rights of animals, their role in policymaking, and the institutional frameworks best suited to protect the interests of animals.
Module 8: Animal Rights as a Social Movement
Prof. 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, including criminal prosecution. 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.
€50
On-Demand CIARL Course Fee
You can also donate to support scholarships for students in financial need.
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.
Priority for financial support will be given to applicants from the Majority World.
Register for the CIARL on-demand course via this form:
With the kind support of
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http://craigslistfund.org/
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https://thepollinationproject.org/
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https://manifund.org/
