In this course, we will focus on the “greenwashing” and “humanewashing” by animal agriculture. “Greenwashing” is based on the different ways that animal agriculture pretends it is sustainable when it is not; “humanewashing” refers to the different ways that animal agriculture pretends it treats animals well, when it does not. In reality, animal agriculture is one of the single largest drivers of climate change and one of the most cruel industries imaginable; however, much like the tobacco industry and the fossil fuel industries before it, animal agriculture has responded to this reality not by enacting any substantive changes, but by relying on “tricks” of communication, including public relations, media relations, marketing, and even attempts to influence scholarship on the topic to confuse the public and hide their destructive practices. In this course, we will debunk these rhetorical tricks and expose the reality of the harms animal agriculture is causing to both animals and our planet. This course should be of benefit to any activist, policy maker, or person concerned about climate change, environmental destruction, or animal suffering.

Course Details

• 6 hours of recorded video content
• Weekly readings for self-study
• Access to class materials begins Monday, August 5, 2024
• 4 scheduled Live Q&A sessions with Professor Stanescu on August 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 9AM to 10AM Pacific + Bonus Session Sept. 6!

Course Length

Learning Area

Climate Change & Environment

Animal Advocacy & Biodiversity

Instructor

Vasile Stanescu, PhD

Dr. Vasile Stanescu received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in the program of Modern Thought and Literature. He is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Mercer University. Dr. Stanescu is the co-founder and former co-Senior Editor of the Critical Animal Studies Book Series published by Brill/Rodopi Press, and a co-founder of the North American Association for Critical Animal Studies (NAACAS). He has also served on the editorial collective for the Journal for Critical Animal Studies and co-organized the Stanford Environmental Humanities Project. He is currently a member of the Climate Social Science Network (CSSN) based out of Brown University.

A pioneer in the field of Critical Animal Studies, Dr. Stanescu has over 25 peer-reviewed publications on the study of animals and the environment. His work has been featured in journals such as the American Behavioral Scientist, The Journal of American Culture, Animal Studies Journal, and the Journal for Critical Animal Studies. His research has been recognized by numerous institutions, including The Woods Institute for the Environment, Minding Animals International, The Andrew Mellon Foundation, the Culture and Animals Foundation, the Institute for Critical Animal Studies, and the Institutul Cultural Român. A committed advocate for animal liberation, Dr. Stanescu has been vegan for over 20 years.