Behaving Like Animals
What does it mean to be human? This Praxis Lab explored the deep connections between humans and animals, challenging the traditional distinctions that set us apart. By tracing the historical roots of evolutionary theory and experimental physiology, students examined how our similarities and differences with other species shape our understanding of behavior, ethics, and identity.
Throughout the course, students engaged with topics such as human-animal relationships, biomedical research, zoonotic disease transmission, food ethics, and ecological interdependence. They explored the psychological and physiological parallels between species, gaining insights into the causes and treatment of human behaviors. Ultimately, the lab asked: How do our interactions with animals shape our own humanity, and what responsibilities do we bear toward them?
Instructors:
Rachel Mason Dentinger, PhD
Marco Bortolato, MD, PhD
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Margaret P. Battin, PhD
Wendy Hobson-Rohrer, MD
This Praxis Lab examined the history, science, and ethical implications of pandemics, from the Black Plague to COVID-19. Students analyzed how diseases spread, the social and political responses to outbreaks, and the ethical considerations of public health interventions.
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This Praxis Lab explored the evolving landscape of death and dying in the modern world, examining the shift from infectious disease mortality to prolonged battles with degenerative illnesses like cancer, heart failure, and dementia.
Education, Incarceration & Justice: Punishment and Opportunity in an Era of Mass Imprisonment
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Roberto Garcia
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