Zooanthropology, or On Becoming Cultural with Non-human Animals

From 70 C$ /h

What if human culture is not exclusively human?
Zooanthropology, or On Becoming Cultural with Non-human Animals is an introductory 10-lesson course exploring the relationship between humans and other animals and asking a fundamental question: how much of what we call “culture” has actually emerged through our relationships with other species?
The course offers a different perspective. Rather than considering culture an exclusively human achievement, zooanthropology understands it as something that has emerged through relationships, encounters and exchanges between species. Other animals are not simply objects of human knowledge or resources for human development: they are subjects who have influenced, shaped and transformed us.
This perspective invites us to reconsider our own position in the world and to question some deeply rooted assumptions about the supposed boundary between humans and other animals. It also encourages us to decentre our perspective and to become more attentive to forms of intelligence, communication, emotion, learning and relationship that do not seem to resemble our own.
The course is transdisciplinary, drawing on anthropology, philosophy, ethology and other fields. Along the way, you will encounter concepts such as intersubjectivity, epiphany, hybridisation and epimelesis, among many others. But don't be intimidated by the terminology! No previous knowledge of anthropology, philosophy, ethology or zooanthropology is required. What the course does require is curiosity, an interest in human–nonhuman animal relations, and a willingness to question some familiar ideas and look at the world from a less anthropocentric perspective.
Slides and a bibliography will be provided.

Extra information

The course will take place via google classroom

Location

Online from Switzerland

About Me

I hold a Doctorate in Anglistics from the University of Venice and a Ph.D. in Italian Studies from the University of Birmingham. Over the years, I have researched and lectured at universities in the UK and Switzerland on a range of subjects and authors, mostly related to Italian culture. Of all the writers I have studied, Giacomo Leopardi is the poet-philosopher to whom I feel most attached. His melancholic voice has accompanied me throughout my life, offering consolation and, in a sense, invisible guidance.
It was through my study of Leopardi that I first encountered the work of Roberto Marchesini, the founder of SIUA, the School for Human-Animal Interaction, and the Centre for the Study of Posthumanist Philosophy. Roberto is also the initiator of zooanthropology, a transdisciplinary approach to the study of human relationships with other animals and of the contribution that nonhuman animals have made to human culture.
After leaving academia, I found myself returning to this intellectual path. I studied at SIUA to become a certified dog educator and began collaborating with Roberto in 2019. Two years later, I launched the International Society of Zooanthropology, where I serve as President, co-directing its journal, HumAnimUs, with Roberto Marchesini, and contributing to courses, seminars, and study days.
More information about my academic work and publications, as well as my CV, can be found on my Academia.edu profile: https://independent.academia.edu/CosettaVeronese

Education

Ph. D. in English Studies (University of Venice)
M. Phil. in Italian Studies (University of Birmingham)
Ph. D. in Italian Studies (University of Birmingham)
PG Certificate for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (University of Portsmouth)
Certified Dog Educator (SIUA)

Experience / Qualifications

Lecturer in Italian Studies (University of Portsmouth, University of Birmingham, UK)
Research Fellow (University of Basel, CH)
Secondary school teacher (CH)

Age

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

90 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Philosophy

Anthropology

Humanities

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

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I commit myself to correct you and to send the tests regularly after having fixed a schedule of work. But you remain responsible and master of your TFE / memory. In my opinion, teamwork remains the key to success.

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I also offer an exceptionally dedicated plan for first year baccalaureate students, offering ongoing support throughout the year for preparation and revision for exams, including the regional exam. This specific program aims to strengthen necessary skills, consolidate knowledge and provide strategic guidance to excel in assessments.

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You will learn

- text reading strategies
- case studies with the aim of learning from experts
- methodology in philosophy
- writing an essay
- writing a text commentary
- a work on the philosophers of your choice
- an overview of the history of philosophy
- the general culture necessary to be able to philosophize

I will adapt to your individual needs. Each course is tailor-made. We will analyze where your difficulties lie and together develop a course program that will make you perform as quickly as possible. The basic principle of the courses I offer is dialectics, like Plato's dialogues: reflecting together, making theoretical contributions, asking questions and seeking answers, and testing the validity of reasoning.

For the past 10 years, I have been teaching German using the philosophy methodology, having studied philosophy at the Master's level at Aix-Marseille University. It turns out that the analytical mind is very useful even outside the confines of philosophy. Today, there are even fields of activity such as management with philosophy or philotherapy. In recent years, some German students have asked me to also teach them philosophy courses, and that is why I decided to offer philosophy courses directly.

I look forward to meeting you during a first lesson.

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The courses are aimed at high school students preparing for the baccalaureate, students following the HLP teaching as well as adults wishing to discover or deepen their knowledge of philosophy.

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Online philosophy courses/tutoring.

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Rigorous methodology (essay, text explanation, commentary).

Helps in building a solid argument and mastering concepts.

Personalized support based on the student's objectives and level.

Courses are taught via videoconference. Flexible schedules to be defined together.

Packages are available for regular follow-up appointments.

Julien

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Philosophy is a fascinating but often difficult discipline to grasp. For this reason, it discourages many. Yet it is essential for understanding the world around us. Philosophy develops critical thinking and helps to better organize one's thoughts, while allowing each individual to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and to better analyze social issues. I offer courses tailored to your needs and objectives.

For high school students:
- Analysis of the texts discussed in class
- Explanation of the concepts used in your course
- Fundamentals of commentary and essay writing to succeed in the baccalaureate exam
- General knowledge to prepare you for higher education

For undergraduate students at university:
- Reading and analysis of key texts from the philosophical tradition
- Consolidation of the commentary and essay writing method
- Logic of the proposals: a return to the fundamentals
- History of philosophy: focus on a school of thought of your choice
- If needed, work on philosophical texts in English or Ancient Greek
- If needed, philosophical discussions on your favorite topics
- If needed, support in choosing a thesis topic for the master's degree

For adults wishing to discover the wonderful world of philosophy:
- Reading texts related to your interests
- History of philosophy courses covering the periods that interest you
Discussions combining cinema, literature and philosophy
- If needed, proofreading of your personal writings (additional cost)

In this course, you will acquire a solid philosophical foundation through the study of the great authors of the tradition: Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Kant, Nietzsche, and Marx, to name just a few. This course also aims to be an entry point to philosophy as it is practiced today; therefore, we will not hesitate to explore more contemporary texts from diverse traditions (feminism, political ecology, technocriticism, transhumanism, etc.). All of this is done with the same goal: to develop and enrich your thinking.

Package deals available for regular students.

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I also proofread and correct written documents (dissertations, internship reports, professional documents, etc.).

--Background and experience--

Former French teacher, holder of the CAPES and the agrégation in Modern Literature, I have a background in literature, having done a Preparatory Literary Class, then a Master's degree in Modern Literature at the Sorbonne.

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This isn't your typical philosophy or psychology class, and you don't need any prior knowledge. It's a space to pause, reflect, and discuss the questions we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives, but rarely find the time to address.

Through philosophy, psychology, and other related disciplines, we will explore topics such as self-knowledge, relationships, freedom, fear, happiness, decision-making, identity, the meaning of life, our beliefs, and the great questions that accompany us as human beings.

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Explore questions of meaning, freedom, responsibility, values, choice, suffering, identity, mortality, and existence through Logotherapy, Existential Analysis, and philosophical inquiry.

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In our sessions, we can explore the ideas of Viktor Frankl, the foundations of Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, existential philosophy, meaning-centered perspectives, and philosophical questions related to freedom, responsibility, values, purpose, suffering, and human existence.

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You do not need any previous knowledge of philosophy, Logotherapy, or Existential Analysis. Sessions can be introductory or more advanced depending on your background and interests. The aim is to create a thoughtful and intellectually engaging space for learning, reflection, and philosophical dialogue.

These sessions are educational and discussion-based. They are not psychotherapy, psychiatric care, medical treatment, or a substitute for professional mental health services.

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Block period coming up?? If you are struggling to understand a difficult philosophical text, organise your ideas for an essay, or express a complex argument clearly: I am happy to help!

I am a PhD Candidate in Political Philosophy, and I enjoy working through complex ideas, understanding how arguments fit together, and finding ways to express them clearly. If you want to feel more confident in your university work and need one-on-one guidance, I'd like to share these skills with you.

Together, we can work on:
- Text analysis: philosophical papers and books can be tricky. We can unpack them and work step-by-step on identifying the main arguments and understanding the key concepts behind them.
- Essay structure and academic writing: do you have lots of ideas but don’t know how to organise them? Finding the right words isn’t always easy. We can work together to define a clear direction for your essay, structure your arguments and ensure your ideas flow naturally from one point to the next.
- Academic discussion: whether you’re preparing for a seminar, an oral exam or simply want to feel more confident debating ideas, we can practise explaining your point of view, responding to objections and critically engaging with other perspectives.

Every student is different, and I like to adapt our lessons to what you need most: don't hesitate to reach out and share your goals!
Naturally, you can bring your own texts, readings, essay questions, or drafts, so we can work directly on the material you're studying at university. During the lesson, we'll discuss your ideas, work through examples, and tackle any questions or difficulties that come up.

Lessons take place either online or in Groningen -- either in a café, at the Forum, or on campus!

Valery

4.6

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Soy psicóloga y docente, y acompaño a estudiantes que quieren aprender a estudiar mejor y con menos estrés. No solo repasamos contenidos: como psicóloga sé por qué un estudiante no retiene, se bloquea antes de un examen o pierde la motivación, y trabajo sobre eso.

En las clases trabajamos:
• Hábitos y rutinas de estudio adaptados a cada estudiante.
• Organización del tiempo y planificación antes de los exámenes.
• Comprensión lectora, toma de apuntes y estrategias de memoria.
• Manejo de la ansiedad ante los exámenes, motivación y constancia.
• Apoyo en ciencias sociales, filosofía, ética y redacción en español (primaria, ESO y bachillerato).
• Psicología a nivel universitario: psicología general, evolutiva, psicopatología, metodología de la investigación y acompañamiento en trabajos de fin de grado.

Experiencia: he diseñado e impartido un módulo formativo completo y he coordinado académicamente un programa con más de 100 estudiantes, con seguimiento individual a cada uno. También he trabajado con niños, incluidos niños con trastornos del neurodesarrollo, y con sus familias.

Cómo son las clases: empezamos con un diagnóstico de cómo estudia el alumno y qué le cuesta, y a partir de ahí armamos un plan con objetivos claros. Doy seguimiento del progreso y comparto material de apoyo propio. Clases por videollamada (Zoom o Google Meet) con horario adaptado a España.

También doy clases de:
• Canva: diseño de presentaciones, trabajos escolares, infografías y piezas para redes sociales.
• Uso de la inteligencia artificial para niños y adolescentes: cómo usarla de forma segura y responsable para estudiar, investigar y crear, sin que haga las tareas por ellos.
• Psicología: clases y refuerzo para estudiantes de bachillerato y de universidad.
• Artes manuales y manualidades: actividades creativas que desarrollan la motricidad fina, la concentración y la paciencia.