Doing History with Animals

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Event Description

In recent years, a growing number of historians have deliberately rejected a study of history focused exclusively on human beings and begun researching the conditions through which animals can be understood not only as subjects of history, but as historical actors in their own right.

These historians recognize the inherent difficulties such research entails, and the historical redefinitions it requires. At the same time, doing history with animals is seen as necessary and urgent in this period of dangerous threat to so many living beings, human and non-human alike.  It is probably not coincidental that this history is emerging as the consequences of global warming progressively impact many living beings for whom the only History previously told is that of the long, cold history of evolution, whereas now we are experiencing a “warming” of their History.

Event Speaker 

Vinciane Despret, philosopher

Event Information

Free and open to the public; registration required. For more information, please visit the event webpage. 

Hosted by Maison Francaise at Columbia University. Co-sponsored by the Center for Science and Society and the Alliance Program at Columbia University.