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Animal Studies in History

Animals have played dynamic and complex roles in human histories. Animal histories seek to incorporate animals as historical actors and analyze human-animal relationships to achieve a more comprehensive and inclusive historical understanding. Within the discipline of history, significant research has been done, and continues, in multiple areas concerning animals, including animal agency, anthropomorphism, hunting, and the cultural construction of species. Within the history of science, my own research and teaching analyzes the role of animal subjects in animal science, issues concerning gender and race in animal behavior and conservation studies, and the development and patenting of transgenic organisms.

These issues and others will be explored in my HIST 110 honors course in the spring of 2009 and in future courses in Lyman Briggs College. Hist 110 will combine reading and discussion of textual materials with visits to animal-related places, such as the local zoo and campus-based sites, to enable students to connect their personal views and experiences with literature from animal studies. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in ANIMALS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, an interdisciplinary and international conference organized by me and Linda Kalof and hosted here at MSU in April, 2009.

If you have questions concerning animal histories, my research or teaching, please email me:

Dr. Georgina Montgomery
montg165@msu.edu