An overview of the developing academic field of human-animal studies, which purportedly “tests” the divide between humans and animals. The article also discussing the blurring of the lines between academics and advocates.

Human-animal studies is an area of academic research that examines animals in the context of philosophy, literature, cultural studies, history, and other fields of human inquiry. Interest in these studies began with a shift in consciousness that started several decades ago, according to this author, beginning with the environmental and social-justice movements of the 1960s.

Theoretically, the notion of “animal studies” contradicts the principles that place humans at the center of issues. Academic focus on animal studies is becoming more common in law schools and literature studies, although PhDs are not yet available. The Animals and Society Institute is currently discussing such academically-focused programs with a handful of universities.