For our first progression, we will be analyzing the ways in which nonhuman animal lives are
inherently interwoven with human lives. More specifically, we will interrogate the hierarchical
relationship between us and the animals that we interact with. Thus, we will apply the concept of
biopower to nonhuman animals. Although Foucault did not explicitly use the terms
biopower/biopolitics in context to animal lives and bodies, current animal studies scholarship has
addressed this connection. Sherryl Vint in her 2010 book Animal Alterity argues, resistance to the
biopolitical regime of neo-liberal capitalism requires acknowledging the degree to which species
difference has been foundational in structuring the liberal institutions that one might wish to
contest. In other words, much of the exploitation of (human) bodies that occurs as a result of
capitalism starts with the human desire to be separate and better than animals.

Assignment 1A: Proposal
You must decide on what story you will tell. Remember that the story must be about an interaction
that you had with a nonhuman being, one in which you had the power, whether you chose to use
that power to help the animal live or not. Consider why you found this experience important or
meaningful? Did you find it meaningful at the time of the incident, or was it something that you
realized later? Did it change how you feel about the lives of animals? Did it change how you view
your own power over animals? Explain in 200 words, typed, MLA format.