Darwin, Disney, Lolcats: Animals in Media and Culture
Animals have become prominent, not just in media and culture but recently also in media and cultural studies, and disciplines like history, philosophy and law.
The giant pandas in Ouwehands zoo, the cows and the nitrogen crisis, the first wolfs back in the Netherlands, the discovery of a new monkey species. Or: The Lion King and Finding Nemo, March of the Penguins and David Attenborough. And of course: all these cute cat videos on the web!
Animals have become prominent, not just in media and culture but recently also in media and cultural studies (and disciplines like history, philosophy and law). The omnipresence of animals in contemporary audiovisual and popular culture, shows how important and significant they (still) are to us humans. Moreover, our images of non-human animals have an enormous impact on the way we relate to them in real life – and vice versa.
In this lecture series we will explore various genres, from hunting films via Disney animations and nature series to reality TV and video games, to analyse how our changing view on animals is reflected in their media representations. With the rise of digital media, images of animals are becoming increasingly diverse - and AI and self-learning algorithms are now even raising the question: will we ever be able to not only look at and listen to them, but also communicate with them...?
Day, time, location and costs
- 10 February - 17 March 2026
- Tuesday 11:00 - 15:00
- Oudemanhuispoort D1.09
- € 165 (voor AUV-leden € 148)
Important to know
- The registration deadline for this Open UvA-college is 22 January 2026.
- For the current study schedule, please consult the UvA timetable website
- Study material: to be announced.
- You can only audit an OUC, which means that you may only attend lectures and cannot attend seminars, take part in the examination, or obtain ECTS credits.
Docenten
Public programme Humanities
This Open UvA Course is part of the Faculty of Humanities' public programme. Beside Open UvA Courses, the public programme also comprises special lectures and series of courses. The public programme is intended for alumni, employees looking for extra training, and all others who are interested in art, culture, philosophy, language and literature, history and religion.
- Mode
- Open UvA Course
- Language of instruction
- English
- Starts in
- February