Online 'Office Hours' on Animals and Love, Food and Sustainability

In a year when attention is being paid to food campuswide, many at Duke are questioning their own food choices and relationships to animals. For example, many vegetarians and vegans pride themselves on choosing to not participate in the slaughter of farm animals.

But Kathy Rudy, an associate professor in the Duke Women's Studies Program, argues there may be a better approach to animal advocacy. 

Rudy will take viewer questions on various aspects of the human-animal relationship --  from pets to food -- during a live, interactive "Office Hours" webcast beginning at noon Thursday, Sept. 22. To ask Rudy a question in advance or during the show, send an email to live@duke.edu, Tweet with the hashtag #dukelive or post to the Duke University Facebook page. 

In her new book "Loving Animals," Rudy argues that human lives are enmeshed with animals in so many different ways that completely disconnecting from them is not possible. She makes the case for more balanced and sustainable relationships with animals based on respect, and emotional and spiritual connection. 

"We need to recognize that everything is enmeshed with animal lives," says Rudy, who teaches a course on food, farming and feminism. "What we have to do is not extract ourselves from that enmeshment, but make sure animals are getting semi-normal good lives full of joy."

Rudy offers an alternative to what she calls the "extremist positions" of the contemporary animal rights movement that dictates humans distance themselves from animals. In her book, she intertwines personal accounts with interviews and analysis to explore five realms in which humans use animals: as pets, for food, in entertainment, in scientific research and for clothing. 

 Duke's weekly "Office Hours" webcast series aims to bring the insights of Duke faculty members to anyone with an Internet connection and an interest in ideas. Topics have ranged from brain-machine interfaces and the power of retail brands to the legacy of Michael Jackson and the ecology of Antarctica. 

 For a schedule of upcoming broadcasts, as well as archives of previous conversations, go to the Office Hours website.