Animal Rights Study Group

Overview

Who:	You!
What:	We will explore whether the use of animals in our society is acceptable, whether it needs to be reformed, or whether it needs to be eliminated. We will examine a variety of questions such as the following: Is it justifiable to eat and experiment on nonhuman animals? What is speciesism and is it defensible? How does the human use of nonhuman animals relate to systems of oppression like racism and sexism? Detailed course content & readings.
When:	The Animal Rights Summer School ran from July 5 through Sept. 20, 2007. There are no plans either way about doing it again, so if you are interested, please let us know.
Where:	David Lawrence Hall, Room 104 3942 Forbes Ave. (between Bouquet & Bigelow) University of Pittsburgh, Oakland
Why:	If you've come to this page, you probably have some desire to learn more about animal rights. We guarantee that you will find the course material interesting, and this is a unique opportunity to learn about a subject with other people who are interested in exploring the same issues.
How:	We will be reading 2-3 articles/chapters per week from a variety of sources. Meetings will consist of discussions, group activities, at least one video (of a human speaker), and eating vegan snacks.
How much:	For those who are able, we are asking for a contribution to help cover costs (materials, food). There is a sliding scale of $20-50 for the whole thing. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay.

About the Facilitator

Noah Lewis is a native Pittsburgher who recently returned to the 'Burgh. While away, he facilitated a course like this at Oberlin College in Ohio and also worked at a national animal rights nonprofit. Noah has over a decade of experience working with LGBTQ and animal rights organizing. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in chemistry and the history & philosophy of science. He is also a graduate of Harvard Law School.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not vegetarian. Will I be welcome in this group?: Yes! The goal of this course is to explore the issue of animal rights. If you want to learn more about animal rights, then this group is for you. We all (even those who practice veganism) have more to learn about how humans benefit from the exploitation of animals and how we participate in their exploitation. Most people who eat vegetarian now were not raised that way -- there is no room to judge others.
Isn't this course biased in favor of animal rights?: Yes! The aim of this course is to explore the case for animal rights. We believe everyone is intimately familiar with the case against animal rights since that view is all-pervasive in our society. We are confident that you can already generate all of the arguments against animal rights. The animal rights point of view, however, is not widely understood or frequently publicly presented. This is your opportunity to go beyond sound bites and explore the issue in detail so you can better make up your own mind.
Is this course going turn me into a vegan?: Helping people to practice veganism is not the focus of this course (though we are considering putting together such a course, so if you are interested in that please contact us). The goal of the course is simply to explore the meaning of animal rights. If you desire to go vegan as a result of any new understanding you gain, we are happy to support your exploration of veganism and can direct you to helpful resources. If you are concerned that you might come to question some of your current behaviors, ask yourself which is worse -- to continue behaving in the same way or to become aware of it so that you can act differently. Exploring these ideas in a supportive environment is a great way to answer those nagging questions in the back of your mind.
Is this course going to be depressing?: No! We believe that educating ourselves is the first step toward making positive change. We are specifically aiming for the course to be empowering, but should you get overwhelmed at any point, we will be available to help you work through these difficult issues.
I'm an activist busy with other issues. Why should I take the time to learn about animal rights?: This course takes as a given that systems of oppression such as those based on sex, gender, race, class, nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, age, ability, religion and species are all interconnected. The foundation of the course is that animal rights work must be multifaceted and actively work to challenge all forms of oppression. Learning about animal rights won't mean that you have to become a full-time animal rights activist. Gaining an understanding of how animal rights relates to your activism will allow you to create opportunities for solidarity and coalition building that can strengthen all of our work.
I'm already an animal rights activist. Should I join this class?: Yes! Taking the time to reflect on one's activism is an important aspect of all activism. The intent of this course is to encourage critical thinking about animal rights issues and develop our awareness of speciesism and human supremacy as systems of oppression. Even seasoned animal rights activists can use the readings and in-class discussions to develop a deeper understanding or new perspective that can aid them in their activism. The group will also provide a supportive environment to discuss animal rights that will allow you to recharge and recommit to your activism.
I'm already vegan. What will I get out of this class?: Practicing veganism involves going counter to many commonly accepted aspects of society. Simply practicing veganism can provoke a backlash from non-vegans, which can be emotionally draining. Gaining a deeper understanding of speciesism and human supremacy can help you better deal with these situations. Additionally, the course explores issues that even those who practice veganism may have some lingering questions about such as experimentation on animals, pet ownership, subsistence hunting, and zoos. Plus, there will be vegan snacks!
I'm too busy to participate right now. Is there any way I can be involved?: If folks are interested in a group that meets less frequently, we are happy to try to arrange another group. We also hope to do the 12-week group again in the fall. Please contact us if you are interested in either of these options. If you want to do the readings on your own, we would be happy to discuss them with you and direct you to further resources.
Is this just going to be a bunch of rich white men listening to themselves talk?: No! We too are greatly perturbed by white men who talk too much. We'll lay out the clear expectation at the beginning that everyone gets to have their chance to speak, and this can only be achieved when others stay quiet and listen. We will make every attempt to ensure no one is taking up too much space.