Anthropozoology is a unique studies programme run jointly by three faculties at the University of Warsaw: the Faculty of “Artes Liberales”, the Faculty of Biology, and the Faculty of Psychology. The course aims to provide students with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills from the fields of the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities related to human-animal relations from the earliest times to the present day. Graduates will obtain the relevant biological, psychological and philosophical knowledge enabling them to understand the social and ethical status of animals, their exploitation today and in the past, and their presence and forms of their representation in culture.
The teaching modules have been designed so that graduates receive up-to-date knowledge on the ethical and legal grounds as well as the historical and cultural determinants of the exploitation and protection of animals in Poland and the world, and are able effectively and comprehensively to resolve difficult problems of the mutual impact and co-existence of humans and animals resulting from a conflict of interests, while showing sensitivity, competence and respect for animal subjectivity and dignity.
A major role in the programme has been given to internships and group projects developing practical skills and social competences. Graduates can go on internship at various places including zoological gardens, animal shelters, national parks, organisations working for the benefit of animals, various agencies and research centres
The course subjects, including lab and field classes, are handled by three faculties. Classes take place at the following locations:
- Faculty of Biology: main building at 1 Miecznikowa St. and the Faculty of Biology’s field stations in Masuria
- Faculty of Psychology: main building at 5/7 Stawki St.
- Faculty of “Artes Liberales”: buildings around the University of Warsaw campus, at 69 Nowy Świat St. and 1 Krakowskie Przedmieście St., as well as the Collegium Artes Liberales building at 72 Dobra St., near the University of Warsaw Library