General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW3140 |
| Course name: | Animal Law |
| Programme offered under: | LLB Programme |
| Semester: | First |
| Designated research course: | Yes |
| Specialization: | Not applicable |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Course offered to non-law students: | No |
| Credit point value: | 6 credits |
| Cap on student numbers: | 30 |
1.2 Course description
This course examines the law relating to non-human animals. The course will introduce a range of theoretical perspectives on the way in which we think about animals, with a focus on moral/ethical theories of animal interests and animal rights. The welfare model of animal law, as expressed through relevant legislation and case law, will be critically analysed. While much of the consideration of this law will have an Asian orientation, attention will also be given to international developments in animal law. Finally, the course will explore practical ways in which lawyers may advance the interests of animals.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Amanda Whitfort | whitfort@hku.hk | CCT 405 | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Understand the legal status of animals, including the historical evolution of this status.
CLO 2 Be familiar with the ways in which different categories of animals are regulated by law.
CLO 3 Be able to identify the animal rights and animal welfare foundations of the law relating to animals, and critique their moral/ethical claims.
CLO 4 Have a sound understanding of both Asian and international perspectives on the legal regulation of animals.
CLO 5 Have engaged with the role lawyers can play in advancing the interests of animals.
CLO 6 Be able to engage in self-directed research of issues in animal law, both as part of a group and individually.
CLO 7 Be able to present the results of research in both seminar and written formats.
2.2 LLB Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/llb-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Due date | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Seminar presentation | 10, 17 & 24 Nov 2023 | 30% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | |
| Written research assignment | 8 Dec 2023 | 70% | 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
To be advised by course convenor(s).
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Seminar: | 3 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
To be advised by course convenor(s).
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/