I signed up for this course because it filled a general education requirement for me; I have not particular interest in the relationship between people and animals like cows. When we went over the syllabus on the first day of class, however, that interest was sparked. The outline of the course was fairly simple: an overview of civilized history with a focus on how cattle and other animals influenced. Professor Walker's main assertion was that no other animal had influenced human movements and the development of civilization more than the cow, which makes sense once you consider how much the cow provides. From meat to leather to milk, cows have been the backbone of many societies since Mesopotamia. Delving into this topic was a very unique way to look at history and gave me an appreciation for looking at subjects from different angles.
Final paper Our final assignment was to write a research paper on a topic involving cattle or other animals and their relationship with humans, but Professor Walker said we could have some creative freedom if we cleared it with him. Because I like to write poetry, I asked if I could write an extended poem that tracked what we discussed in class, focusing on how cows have been treated increasingly worse over time. Professor Walker thankfully saw the potential of my request and approved it. The poem and a brief analysis are below.