In this class, we will scrutinize the conditions that led to one of the world’s first animal protection treaties, the Fur Seal Treaty of 1911. From there, we will review notable provisions from the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which students are encouraged to annotate in preparation. In particular, we will examine the elements, structure, domestication, and enforcement of treaties, as well as their implications for animals and the sovereignty of states. Against the backdrop of our prior discussions regarding the limits of constitutional law and distinct differences in states’ negotiating power, this class will prepare us to engage with more modern treaties and chart both our individual and collective assessments as to the evolution in international attitudes toward animal protection.
